MUSIC VIDEO
Watch Mike's new video, "Hillbilly Beach Bum"! (Stop the music player above.)
MUSIC VIDEO-90 Miles to Hemingway
Mike Aiken's second video from his CD "Just Add Salt"
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AMERICANA / ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2009
Influences
Playing blues and country rock to bluegrass and swing, Mike has developed a style all his own. "Mike is something of a floating John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder." - Sail Magazine
Current favorites in Mike's CD player include: Great Big Sea, Taj Mahal, Keith Urban, Travis Tritt, Sam Bush, Bonnie Raitt, Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffett, Dixie Chicks, Allison Krauss, Brad Davis, Rodney Crowell, Colin Linden, Grateful Dead, John Prine, Ry Cooder, Lyle Lovett
Not many people get to live life on their terms. But that is exactly what singer/songwriter/sailor Mike Aiken has been able to do combining his three greatest passions in life, music, sailing and adventure. Now, with the release of Hula Girl Highway, Mike’s sophomore record for Northwind/Aspirion Records, he continues to cement his place as an authentic voice of a wayfaring lifestyle that most of us will only just dream about.
Mike is truly one of the lucky ones, living the life he sings about with his wife and musical partner Amy aboard a 42-foot cutter in the Norfolk, Virginia area. He’s as adept at tying nautical knots as he is painting musical memories and images of the places and people he’s met along his journey.
Strangely enough, for a die-hard sailor that journey began very landlocked. Mike grew up outside of Buffalo in rural Western New York, his love affair with the sea kindled at the young age of eight when a family friend introduced him to sailing. Around the same time Mike started developing his natural musical ability, learning to play acoustic and electric guitar.
His musical metaphors are a mix of those two worlds. I come from those back roads, dirt under my boots, now I live on the water with a country point of view, Mike sings in his first single Find Me off the new record. “I wrote this like I write all my songs,” says Aiken, “From the heart and from what I know. This one came to me while anchored in the Bahamas, holed up during a hellacious storm. Amy and I weathered it for three weeks, taking odd jobs to survive. We had wind generators to make drinking water and were better off than most. It was then I knew I was one of the luckiest SOB’s in the world to have the chance to live this lifestyle.”
While luck may have something to do with it so does hard work. It all started to pay off last year with Mike having a banner musical year touring all over the country and in Europe. Highlights included opening shows like the Sunset Festival in Newport, Rhode Island for Bruce Hornsby to appearing at the Hampton Coliseum Winter Blast with Ashton Shepard and Chris Cagle. He was also invited to participate at the prestigious Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Mike’s success on the other side of the pond proves that music knows no boundaries and borders. He toured Europe and France plus hit 24 on the Euro/Americana Charts, with the single No Fishin Pole reaching the top spot on the Euro Indie Hot Disc Chart. The song is part of a Universal Records Country Compilation CD along with tunes from Tim McGraw, Joe Nichols, Gary Allen, Phil Vassar and Trisha Yearwood.
Mike’s previous recordings were made at sea almost literally, aboard a converted 1941 Navy Tugboat. However when it came time to track songs for this latest record, a change in latitude, but not attitude was in order. “I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel and compromise who I am musically, I just wanted to ramp it up a bit. To do that I recorded the project in Nashville with the best players possible. “
The result, a twelve track record filled with Mike’s signature breezy feel good sound along with his strong song sensibility and musical muscle (Mike plays most of the stringed instruments). Eight of the songs are original compositions, the rest are covers which he selected with great deliberation. “When writing and picking the music I think of the folks and fans who have supported me along the way. I chose the covers, ‘Blowin’ Like A Bandit’ by Guy Clark, ‘Banana Republic’ by Steve Goodman and ’This Here Mandolin’ by Michael Smith to reflect who I am and who my listeners are.“
Like the ever-changing sea that he loves, there are many sides to Mike. Besides recording and touring, he’s also a contributing writer for Singer and Musician Magazine and a music producer for Raceline TV (syndicated NASCAR series). Mike’s six-string dexterity earned him a Takamine Endorsement and the creation of his signature guitar, the ‘Travelin Bone.’ A believer in giving back, his philanthropic activities include being a sponsor of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, benefiting the area’s environmental interests, as well as founder of the “Aiken and Friends Music Festival” which helps fund music education.
What’s on the horizon for Mike this year, besides the release of Hula Girl Highway? Well making music and traveling of course. Mike and his band have been playing around the country and are set to go to Europe again in the fall. “I am one of the lucky ones,” muses Aiken. “With my music, my boat and my friends I am ready for wherever the winds blow.”
For the rest of us that’s a good thing, a chance for us landlubbers to close our eyes and live a life on the high seas vicariously through Mike Aiken and his music.
Stoppin' in to check on ya MA... Much respect to you & yours during the holidays!! Hoping life is on a uphill climb...lord help the landslides get us sometimes... but it's all good...as long as we have the light of the Lord and MUSIC we will survive!!
Leaving much love & respect... Still #1 MA Fan Carolyn
I lost my internet for a few days just got back on late last night and here I am this morning.I hope everthing is ok with you.I have missed you so much.The friendship you have given me is so special to me.I will forever treasure it in my heart and throughout the days to come.The weather here has been so cold and icy and some snow ewwww,but I guess that is michigan weather.I have been working very hard the pass few days just to keep my mind from missing my friends I have come to meet and love.I am so happy to be back with the once that make my heart smile when I hear from you it is like I live in a dream to have such a wonderful friend like you in my life.I love you my friend.(HUGS)...Becky Lynn I am so happy to be back on with my wonderful friends have a wonderful weekend.
...it's been a long time Mike...how are you?? Your horizons have broadened and I have tried to keep up along the way... congratulations!! I still keep in touch with Meka...she's such an inspiration!
Sending happiness & peace to you & yours... thanks for the gift you give with your talent, you add much passion to my life with your music.
Hey :-)
I hope you are having a greeeeeaaaaat summer!
Have you checked out my new song "Amazing" let me know what you think ;-)
I will be touring Radio in the next few week.. Maybe you will hear one of my songs on the radio!!
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