About Me
From the day my mother gave me my first musical instrument at the age of five, I became a musical sponge. I learned any instrument I could get my hands on and it didn’t take long before I was repairing and connecting instruments to PA systems. By 15, I was recording my original songs on reel-to-reel.
Years later, while managing a local music store, I was given the opportunity to perform with the areas most talented musicians, including The Merchants Of Death, Euphoria, Harry Strawberry, Crash Landing, It, and Tellin’ Ellen, The Chase and I haven’t stopped since. I currently write and record all of my own original music in my home studio.
My latest album, Before The Chase, is available now through iTunes and CD Baby. This is an original acoustic rock album recorded with an Ovation 12-string guitar.
MidiMike 
Good site. Educational and entertaining.
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I appreciate the compliment. I’ve had some great experiences. I hope to bring a big picture point of view and some related true stories. Thanks again.
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Thank you for following my blog. 🙂
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Thank you, my friend, for following my blog!
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Good luck and best wishes to you. I can see your love for music and from personal experience I can say that a talent in music and musical instruments is rare and precious. May you receive a lot of praise and recognition. 🙂
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Thank you! I can honestly say that if it weren’t for music and the friends that created music with me, I probably would not be recognizable today. I also wish you well, and you have indeed given me recognition.
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You know.. I feel like it is our decision to write, share, or create music, in your case that gives us the chance to connect to the people who will add value to us. Our work is who we are, our friends are who choose us because of who we are.. right? 🙂
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Bingo!
And they, in turn, shape us.
Perfect.
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A compliment from you on this particular poem warms my heart immensely. Thank you so much for stopping by and liking Open Microphone on WordMusic. Come back often. There are over 220 poems on that blog alone and I have another with over 700 poems on a wealth of subjects.
Brent Kincaid
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It must feel great to have accomplished what you have over the years. I started playing drums when I was 7 and although music was part of my childhood I lost touch with it.
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I feel great for an old guy! And there is so much more to do, so many toys to play with now-a-days. For me it all starts and ends with percussion. I hope you still have drums close by. One of the things I depend on the most is having musical instruments in every room. They encourage and invite me to play all the time. I hope to encourage you to get back in touch. It is easier that might you think.
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I was wanting to go out and grab some bongos – I live in an apartment and I think that will work.
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By the way, if there is a budget, some of those electronic pads and drum sets are getting pretty cheap. A set of headphones and you are set even in an apt. New drum kits start at $300 for a good entry-level set and get ridiculous from there! You can find used kits a bit cheaper. I know bongos are cool too! But if you are interested in an electronic kit, I can send you a few to look at if you want some ideas.
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Sure I wouldn’t mind getting some ideas. I appreciate that!
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Right off the bat I would look at the Alesis DM7X Session kit. You can get them for around $500.00. This will last a long time and do what you want. If you want less cash involved there is the Lite version called the Alesis DM Lite Kit for $300.00, or try getting the older versions used and save a little more. I do not work or get paid by anybody to recommend gear. I like the Yamaha and Roland kits but they are a little more expensive. Good place to start and I am sure they have bongo sounds if you feel a little nostalgic!
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Hi midimike. Music is a passion of mine unable to play but listen all the time. So nice to meet you. Thank you so much for liking my poem Monstrous!. Peace and Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.
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Thank you for following my “Weaving the Magic THread” blog; I hope that you continue to enjoy it!
What you have here is great! Music is essential!!
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Thank you for stopping by and liking my recent post.
Kind Regards,
-Naima
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Thanks for visiting my blog. I don’t have to many music blogs in my feed, so it will be interesting to see what you’ve got to say 🙂
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Thanks for the ‘Follow’! So looking forward to hearing your music 😀
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Thanks for the follow!I am looking forward to reading your blog and checking out your interesting work:)
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Thanks for following me. I’m returning the favor, and quite interested in what you have here. All the best. -Other Mary
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Looking forward to delving into your site. I’m only beginning to blog so I don’t have much up yet.
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I know nothing about music other than what I like, of course, so I find your site fascinating! I am old, 60, any hope I can learn at this late date? I would love to learn to play a frame drum, but can an old dog learn new tricks? thanks for reading my poem. I will continue to try and learn from your site. best to you. Michelle
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If you made it this far, it is because you also know if we don’t learn something new every day its not worth waking up! At our age it actually becomes easier. Thanks for sharing your poetry. For me, rhythm and poetry combine very powerful communication roots. now, go play!
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Thanks 🙂 I will!
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Share and enjoy!
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thanks for stopping by my site..I got to see your site too…
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Sharing resources and experiences. What a great platform. Everyone wins.
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Want to thank you for following my website, because it has led me to yours. While I am not a musician, I live with one. Music has been one of the defining things about our relationship, and I feel so fortunate for that!
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It is so cool to see how people connect. I have mentioned encouraging others but support from loving family members has amazing power. Thank you for supporting the musician in your life and for the reminder.
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It’s great to do what you love – at any age! Thanks for stopping my blog and giving it a follow. I appreciate it.
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No problem at all. I find this new venture (for me) has been really fun and I am still learning. Take care, and thanks for the comment.
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Thanks for liking my post. I am new to blogging. It is appreciated. I am a Peter Gabriel fan too 🙂
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Any time! I am also new to the blogging community and I have been fascinated with the enthusiasm and quality of the comments and bloggers. Between early Genesis and Gabriel’s solo material, I think he has influenced me more than any other artist and the fact that he is such a great guy from what I can tell, makes me try harder to do the same. Hang in there!
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Thanks for the “like” and the follow. How did you come upon Views from the Edge? Always interested. Steve Shoemaker is the poet on Views from the Edge.
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Hello, Gordon! New to this game and with a root in poetry and music I have been searching out other blogs. I had no idea how many there were. Thanks for the info and for your time.
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A brilliant life journey of music…thank you for reading and following my blog dear Mike xx
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Funny, I knew the musicians were special, even brilliant. I just never looked at my life that way until my daughter insisted I start a blog. Keep in touch, and thanks again.
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No beating experience! Whether with drums or words – and you’re doing well with both! 🙂
Good for you to put yourself ‘out there’ and share. Thank you! And thanks for following my blog – hope it provides loads of inspiration! Cheers, Rob
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You are absolutely correct. All the time I thought I was having fun and it turns out I was also gaining experience! Lyrics and percussion are two sides of the same coin for me. I have to admit I was not sure what type of response I would get (if any) and it was a leap into the unknown. Even at my age this can be tough. You are very kind and should be commended as well for sharing.
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Thanks – this was also a leap into the unknown for me! Kudos to both of us, yeah? 🙂
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Glad to hear! Yes, kudos, we’re still alive.
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And kicking!…. Well kinda! 🙂
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Thanks for the follow midimike. You’ve got some great music and it’s always good to connect with another songwriter, especially one who likes to write about writing. I see you’re from Ohio. I’m from Canada but I visited there last year on a business trip and wrote a (fictional) song inspired by the visit. It’s on my blog, along with a description of the process that led to the lyric. http://superpapa67.com/2014/11/15/two-nights-in-toledo/
Looking forward to more from you. Cheers!
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I find all this fascinating, so I am glad you reached out. I have been to Canada twice, and each experience was wonderful. I am not sure what could inspire you traveling through Ohio (LOL) so I will have to check that out! I also enjoy seeing how a song grows from ideas to completion. Thank you for the comment and keep in touch.
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Thank you for visiting my corner on the web 🙂 Glad I found this!
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You are very welcome. There are so many cool blogs out there and the community has been great. I will be back, and hopefully my posts will have something funny if not helpful for you as well.
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I very much appreciate your opening the door to my blog today , Thankyou ! Following your blog I can already see will be enriching …( I’m learning to play an old accordion from Bulgaria ) …blessings xxxmeg
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Glad you like my blog. I post a wide variety of content. Interestingly, given your background, I spend more time singing than writing in my daily life. Mostly, I sing classical music with a chorale. However, it has occurred to me to try setting some of my poems to music. However, I have never written a song and mostly just play around on the piano when I try doing something like that. Something new over which to muse.
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No problem. I was glad to check it out. You probably know a lot about musical structure – you can guide it with the melody line. I have mentioned my roots with poetry
and I think you might be surprised by putting yours to music. The benefit I see is poets know how to make the words stand on their own. Add music that compliments the lyrics and WALA!
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Thanks!! Something new to play around with and experiment.
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Perfect attitude! Please play and experiment. I am at a stand still with this tune and I like the message, so I would really be interested to see what you come up with.
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Im pleased to see you following jamoroki Mike. I’d love to know what attracted you. James
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Thank you for following my blog!
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Any time! I am always interested in checking out the ‘real world’ and will be back soon.
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Hey Mike!
I am honored that you are following justkeepingitREAL. It warms my heart to know you will be visiting me.
Have a great day!
Rita
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You are quite welcome, I enjoyed it. I am learning a bunch and appreciate your blog, and will keep in touch.
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Thanks so much for the follow. I hope you will enjoy .
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You bet! I already did, LOL and will be back soon.
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Appreciate the visit and follow. Your have an interesting site. I am reminded of my older brother who, born to be a musician, has his own recording studio. I am tone deaf, but like to write- so we ventured once to combine his music with my poetry. The result? He recommended a good psychiatrist, ha ha. Said it was all too dark for him. Ah, family.
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Not a problem at all, I enjoyed it. That is very similar to my experience. My older brother is a musician and songwriter and he also had a home studio. We joke with our sister that she is tone deaf as well. I am not sure if she really is, but there are signs! If you stop back and visit you will see that a lot of my lyrics tend to be rather dark edged. I consider myself an eternal optimist, but I try to understand what it is like for others to go through difficult situations. I don’t think we need another ’cause I’m happy or in love’ song. Maybe you see things the same way. In any case, tell your brother that writing poetry and music IS THERAPY!
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Thanks for taking time away from your music and blog to follow mine!
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Thanks for the follow! I’ve been browsing through your blog for some time now and your stuff is actually super informative. Keep up what you’re doing. I think you’re stuff is awesome!
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Anytime. I am learning a lot. Still getting a feel from other blogs and I have been soaking it all up like a sponge. I try to simplify some of the mystery I have run into so others can avoid some of the speed bumps, and maybe share a funny story or two while I am at it. Thanks a bunch or your generous comments and for your time. I will try to stay on track. That made my Friday!
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Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. Great to meet devoted musicians like you. Keep in touch!
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Hey! Good to hear from you as well. There are a lot of musicians out there and I think we all have something to share, other than the tunes! I hope to provide a little helpful info – not just for the musicians but also to the people that support the arts, and might be able to inspire or assist in the creative and performing process of others. I will keep in touch and I appreciate your comments! Share and enjoy!
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Interesting insight into the technicalities . . . the passion for music . . . In words of one syllable too!
RR
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Well thank you for the insight. I really enjoy all sorts of music. Not just creating my own, but also listening to others. Music for me has been a life saver – literally. My experience might be different than some, but I think we all get overwhelmed by the math or the fancy words. Thanks for noticing! That was great RR. I laughed a bunch.
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I get the big picture and your musical journey. Great site.
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Thanks, Darlene. It is easy to get bogged down in detail – the ‘can’t see the forest through the trees’ syndrome. Sometimes we just forget what we are looking for or trying to accomplish. A quick reality check of the big picture can simplify most tasks at hand. You already know that!
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Just popped on over to CDBaby to check out more of your music. Dark Energy has a similar sound to the Grateful Dead and Phish, both of which I love. Hopefully you don’t mind being compared to them! You have a good collection of acoustic tunes there!
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Excellent! I am a Dead Head (the true variety!) from way back. I don’t travel around to see them or go crazy when they are in town but the first real concert I went to was a Grateful Dead concert and I have seen them perform a number of times. Thanks for checking out CDBaby and for the comments. I hope to have another collection of songs ready to release later this year…. I would love to hear your thoughts on those as well.
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My pleasure! I went to a couple of Dead shows back in the early nineties, before Jerry passed. I have some incredible, never to be forgotten memories from both shows! Did you see that they’re having a reunion tour this summer? My friend has tickets to go, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to make it.
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Mike. I’ve nominated you for The Daydreamers Award.Can’t figure out a link to my site, but ” queasypaddy ” will get you there for all the info. I would be very interested in your answer to the question I posed!
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I looked at it briefly last night and found it interesting. I will give it a shot soon. It might actually be fun.
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Thank you for the follow and leading me to your blog. I’m looking forward to reading more of your posts.
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You are very welcome indeed. Until I reached out on these blogs I had no idea how many people there are willing to share their thoughts and stories. Please stop back anytime. Guaranteed I will do the same!
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That’s good to know! Looking forward to my next visit. 🙂
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Hi, thanks for coming in to see me at Steve Says…come again, stay a while – have a drink even! Happy blogging, Steve…
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Thanks for the invite. Cheers!
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Hello! Great blog! It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for visiting and following my blog. I’m following you as well and look forward to your posts. 😀
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Hi there! That is so nice of you to say. Reminds me of the song, Follow you, Follow me! That’s what makes this community great. I am glad to hear from you as well and will keep in touch.
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Thanks for following my blog. Your recent post reminds me of my time when bands and live shows was my life. The song “Red…” reminds me of my first ever album, “deceptive bends” by 10cc. Following you…
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Any time. I appreciate any body that tries to make it playing out in brands. Even when successful, it takes a great toll on your body and relationships. I vaguely remember the 10cc tune, I will have to check that one again. And you…..
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Thanks for following the rancherwriterpoet. I appreciate it.
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Happy to. I love the perspective. Keep in touch.
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Thank you for visiting my blog. Glad you liked my poem, Fractured Selves. As someone who always loved poetry but intimidated to try, your acknowledgment is invaluable.
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I understand completely. Loving something does not necessarily make us good at something, it takes doing it! Please keep doing it. I will keep checking on you!
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Thanks! Much appreciated encouragement 🙂
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Any time! But it was well deserved, I just call it like I see it. Hang in there.
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Pleasure to meet you. I’m sure this will be one of many visits.
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It is mutual! Glad to hear from you and please feel free to stop by any time. You are always welcome.
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You are always welcome to visit and ‘sit for a spell’. The pleasure is also mine and I am fascinated with your point of view. I did not serve in the military, but that does not mean I do not appreciate and respect ‘those that keep us free’.
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Most of my readers have not been in the service and that’s why they come by. They know their stories of friends and relative, neighbors, are welcome, discussions between each other [not just with me] are always good. They have made the site their own!
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I see what you mean. Good platform and a great opportunity for those not directly connected. We all have family and friends that have paid a price for the rest of us. Kudos to you.
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Thank you, Mike.
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Thanks for the follow – I look forward to exploring your site
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You are welcome, indeed. Hopefully you can benefit from digging a bit deeper as you explore.
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It was good to visit. I find myself lost sometimes exploring blogs and all of a sudden hours go by! I love seeing creative people from all over the world posting and sharing ideas and experiences. It makes the distance between ‘ponds’ seem so much smaller than they would have us think. Thank you!
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Thanks for the follow Mike. And a fascinating site. Such depth to your knowledge which you put across so well.
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Very generous thoughts. I am glad to hear from you as well. My friends have called me a “closet teacher” for years and I guess they were right! I enjoyed learning and I actually enjoy sharing that with others even more. Your comments are truly appreciated.
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Thank you for the likes and follow. 😀 Looking forward to reading your blog. 🙂
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thanks for the opportunity to touch base with you…music has been my passion since I was young…
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You are very welcome. I have been amazed at the response and to see all the musicians and music lovers sharing experiences. For me it will never stop and I am glad you still feel strongly about your passion.
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I must add….you are a treasure!
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That is great! Music pulls almost everyone together. Whether you listen, perform or write, we all have a part to play and music plays a big part in my life as well. Thanks for the generous comment, I am still smiling!
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