The Mike Bader Band is Mike Bader on guitar and vocals, Sam Forslund on bass, Caleb Van Gelder on drums, and Vance Walstra ..boards. Mike has been joined on several tours and festivals by his brother Dave on bass and Iowa Blues Hall of Famer keyboardist Tom Giblin, including the recent New Bohemia Music Festival benefit. In recent years he has played with drummers Brandon Zimmer and Matt Singler, bassist Larry Hirshberg and guitarist Ron Meissner. Another project is the Bader Brothers Band, with Mike and his brothers Dave, Bob and Tom. "one, two, three...hit it!"
Influences
Way too many to list, but to name a few all-time favorites: Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Dawkins, Muddy Waters, the Allman Bros., Albert King, Elvin Bishop, Otis Rush, Earl Hooker, Albert Collins. Bader saw many of these artists and more as a teenager, forming the foundation of musical influences upon which he relies for strength and inspiration.
Sounds Like
Sounds like Mike Bader, with his unique mix of blues, funk, R & B, cajun, reggae and more. Reviewers have mentioned Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, Dr. John and Little Milton. (I wish!) Listen and decide for yourself!
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mike Bader got his first electric guitar when he was 12 and by 1971 he was playing live music. He has gained international recognition as a powerful artist who delivers high energy performances. Increasingly popular at festivals and special events, his blues contain a unique mix of uptempo funk, R & B, cajun, reggae and low-down boogie, giving his blues a deeply rootsy, signature sound, conducive to dancing!
With strong songwriting skills (Mike is affiliated with BMI), stinging guitar leads and distinctive vocals, Bader has received widespread praise. His debut album, Clearcut Case of the Blues, was listed amongst the Top U.S. Blues Releases of 2004 in the international 11th Annual Real Blues Awards. Both Clearcut and his new followup album, Matches My Feelings, have received critical acclaim in publications across the U.S., Canada and Europe, and radio airplay in 30 states and 9 countries.
Bader has shared the bill on festival stages with Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, E.C. Scott, Big Jack Johnson, James Harman, Lil’ Brian & the Zydeco Travelers, Carlos del Junco and many others. He performs regularly at clubs and festivals from Washington state to Wisconsin.
Whether you’re looking for a headlining act or a firestarter to get the party going, whenever the Mike Bader Band is playing, there’s a good-time boogie going down!
UPDATE! Mike Bader Band had a successful festival and special event season in 2008, capped by an August 23rd show at the River City Roots Festival in Missoula, Montana. This two-day free festival drew an estimated 12,000 people. There are five photos from the festival posted under "River City Roots Festival" in the photo albums. Look soon for photos from other events including the Ritzville Blues Festival. Next big shows on tap: MB's 50th Birthday Blues Bash, JM O'Malley's in Cedar Rapids, Iowa November 26th. Also in CR, the New Bohemia Music Festival at the Longbranch Convention Center Grand Ballroom on November 28th (see poster in photo album). This event benefits the New Bohemia Music Festival, which took a huge financial hit during the catastrophic floods of summer 2008. It had to be relocated and much investment was lost.
Hi Mike Bader Blues Band ! Thank you for adding Blackmail Bluesband to your friends. You have great tracks on your profile. Hope you will have a wonderful week. Greetings from Sweden. Blackmail Bluesband.
Thanks for helping with the New Bohemia Music Festival benefit! You really rocked the show - I have heard from many people about your set - thanks again.
