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The Conventions are on
the 3rd Sunday of
February, May, August, November
Sunday's Conventions - start at 9:30 AM - Until the last one plays
Saturday Jam - the night before - 7:00 PM to about 11:00PM
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I have been playing steel guitar professionally for over 25 years.
My love for this instrument has taken me places and given me the
opportunity to meet people that I never would have otherwise. I've
been able to meet and become friends with a lot of my heroes and
work with some great artists because of this guitar.
It has also led me to some of the best jam
sessions imaginable with some of the finest musicians anywhere.
After years of road and club work, I'm
concentrating more on sessions, teaching, and steel shows although I
still work in some of the local Nashville clubs occasionally.
Mike was born in 1960 in Roanoke, VA. He started
out playing his Dad's flattop guitar with a pocket knife when he was
five. From there it was a quick progression to lap steel and on the
pedal steel by the time he was in his teens. He worked with local
gospel and country groups on the weekends through his high school
years and started working the road professionally after graduation.
He was also doing recording sessions in the local
studios at that time. After spending several years working the East
Coast club circuit, he came to Nashville in 1990. Once in Nashville
he quickly began doing sub work for other steel players like Jimmy
Crawford and Stu Basore. He went to all the jam nights and would sit
in wherever he could.
Before long he was offered a job with the
house band at The Broken Spoke. About three months later, while
still working at The Broken Spoke, Clinton Gregory offered Mike a
job in his band. He worked for Clinton for a few months but decided
to stay at The Broken Spoke. In 1992 Mike took a position in the
band for the Country Music U.S.A. show at Opryland during the day
and continued to work his club job at night.
He was also subbing for Doug Jernigan with
Jack Greene's band at this time. In 1993 he left The Broken Spoke to
work for Shawn Camp. He stayed with Shawn for fourteen months. Since
he wanted to concentrate on doing recording work he took the job at
The Nashville Palace in the house band. Mike stayed with the Palace
for eight years. During that time he worked with too many artists to
name.
He also did the occasional road job with Jack
Greene, Ray Price and Vern Gosdin. Today Mike is working as a
freelance musician and teacher. He does one on one instruction as
well as seminars. He plays several steel shows during the year. He
has recorded several steel guitar CDs and to his suprise, he has
developed a strong fan base.
He is now looking toward the future and giving
back part of the enjoyment that the steel guitar has given him.
Mike's Website:
www.freewebs.com/steelguitarmusic
Mike on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWP3rAK5Neo |
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