Michael Cole began his pipe band career in 1987. In 1998, he won the Best Bass award in Grade Two at the World Pipe Band Championships.

His bass sections have won the Grade One North American titles in Maxville, Ontario in 2006, 2007 and 2011. Mike won the 2007 and 2012 Mid-West Highland Arts Gold Medal in the professional bass drumming competition in Kansas City.

In 2010, Mike guested as the bass drummer for the Grade One Inveraray and District Pipe Band and played all the major contests with them. A retired professional educator, Mike instructs at workshops, seminars, and summer camps in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Scotland. He also serves as a drumming adjudicator.