Takamine

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Mike grew up outside of Buffalo in rural Western New York. While doing extensive touring in the US and Europe and sailing his boat across the Atlantic to distant ports, Mike has never stopped developing his entertaining style. The songs he writes and the experiences he shares are rich with the stories of life, love and wanderlust. His instrumental prowess eventually led to the creation of Mike’s signature Takamine guitar, aptly named the “Travelin’ Bone.”

Early on, Mike realized he had a strong wanderlust - a restless urge to travel. It didn't take long for him to discover that sailboats could take him almost anywhere he wanted to go. Combining his two passions - playing music and sailing, he moved aboard his sailboat and started to travel. He took his music to Maritime Canada, then to Portugal and Spain. After performing in Europe, he sailed to the Caribbean and continued playing throughout the islands. Today, he performs everywhere - even for “flatlanders” – and scores loyal fans wherever he goes.

Mike's relationship with Takamine began through a mutual association with the Cousteau Society. Both Takamine and Mike share concerns about the marine environment, and it was through the society that they were introduced. Mike recalls, "In 2002 the limited edition “Whale” guitar had just come on the market. One evening, I walked into a party of some friends from the Cousteau Society with my ______ vintage acoustic, I started playing the “Whale” and couldn't put it down... haven't stopped playing Taks since." From that time, the relationship has grown and is still growing with Taks being the exclusive acoustic guitars used on Mike's CDs. He is proud to be teamed up with Takamine.

In a recent interview Mike said,"My acoustic has to be versatile. It's got to be able to respond to finger picking, strumming and bottleneck slide, both live and in the studio. You know, my lifestyle of living on a boat and traveling isn't easy on a guitar. It needs to be able to take the abuse of the road, sea and stage, night after night and still play and sound great. My Taks do just that!"

In between performances Mike’s writing new songs, recording, and working on his philanthropic projects that include the Aiken & Friends Music Fest and the Breezeway Blowout Concert. The Aiken & Friends Fest began in 2005 and benefits youth music education through an Americana/Roots festival, or ‘celebration of songwriters,’ that includes songwriting and guitar workshops, an in-the-round concert and full outdoor festival. Mike’s Breezeway Blowout, also a music fest of sorts, benefits youth education on the water through experience on tall-ships.

Check out some of Mike's Tunes here:
Thick Black Water
90 Miles To Hemingway
Jagger & Jones