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!
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mike Bader began playing live music in 1971. 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, providing a rootsy sound, conducive to dancing!
With good songwriting skills (affiliated with BMI), strong guitar leads and distinctive vocals, Bader's 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 followup album, Matches My Feelings, have received critical acclaim in publications across the U.S., Canada and Europe, and radio airplay in more than 30 states and 9 countries.
Bader has shared the bill with blues greats including Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, Big Jack Johnson, James Harman, 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!
The band is working on many new songs to be recorded this winter in time for the Spring and Summer touring season! We'll be previewing them here on myspace, so keep visiting.
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.
