Mike calls himself a "late bloomer as far as getting started playing banjo."
The first bluegrass recording he ever heard was a cassette of "Bill Monroe Live from MountainStage." and from the first banjo break by Blake Williams on "Sweet Blue Eyed Darlin'" Mike was hooked.
He took lessons from several local guys before YouTube took off and he credits them with helping steer him in the right direction.
His first band experience came at 16 with a local gospel band named Clear Creek. They traveled all over the southeast on the church circuit. From there, Mike joined a band called Tennessee Valley Express, which is where he and Carl first met. That band dissolved after a short run and Mike ventured out on the Bluegrass music scene, having short stints with Jeff Brown and Still Lonesome, and Tim Graves and the Farmhands.
The last few years Mike hasn't pursued involvement in a band, as he focused more on his Luthier hobby.
He now joins Carl as the premier Banjo player and harmony singer.
