Nick Govrik- Bass, Joe McMahan- Guitar, Eric Holt-Piano, Keio Stroud-Drums, Dennis Taylor-Sax, Rusty Russell-Trumpet, Greg Cox-Trombone, Ann McCrary, Regina, and Frieda McCrary- Singers,
Influences
Pops Staples, The Staple Singers, Mavis, Louis Armstrong,Louis Jordan, Al Green, STAX Records, Tony Joe White, Solomon Burke, Buddy Miller, Jimmie Rodgers, Django Reinhardt, Ry Cooder, Skip James, The Meters, Tom Waits, Bobby D, Chess Records, Cream/HI, Motown, Afro-Cuban All-Stars, R.L. Burnside and all the hill country stuff, Mahalia Jackson, Son House, John Hurt, The Carter Family, The Fairfield Four, T-Bone Burnette, Daniel Lanois, Allison Krause, J.R. Cash, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dr. John, The Holmes Brothers, Bay Area Funk, Buena Vista Social Club, Ray Charles (particularly the early to mid 50's) Coltrane, Fess, My Morning Jacket, Tony Bennett, Sam Cooke, Donnie Hathaway, Bill Withers, Shuggie Otis, Paul Pena, Van Morrison, Sam and Dave, ZZ Topp, Neil Young, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Thomas Dorsey, Ralph Stanley, Muddy Waters, Rev. James Cleveland, Aretha, The Band, Bernard Purdee, James Jamerson, Otis Rush, Hound Dog Taylor, Malaco records, david Ruffin, Curtis Mayfield,Miles Davis, Cat Power, Los Lobos, Cyril Neville, The Neville Brothers, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris, BB King, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers Band, Muscle Shoals, Bob Seger, Credence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty, Stevie Wonder(especially the early stuff), Levon Helm, Fife and Drum, European Gypsy music, T-Bone Walker, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Elmore James, Taj Mahal, Tom Dowd, Mance Lipscomb, Marty Stuart, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, Jimmie and Stevie Vaughan, Billy Holiday, Bettye Carter, Glenn Miller, Jimmy Hall, Ben Harper, Howard Tate, Johnny Jenkins, Johnny Mercer, Billy Preston, Jimmy Smith, Duke Ellington, Hank Ballard, Dyke and The Blazers, Buddy Guy (the early stuff) Bessie Smith, Roy Orbison, Little Richard, Thelonius Monk, Charlie Christian, Sydney Bechet, Big Joe Turner, Columbia Records, Atlantic Records, Fred Below, Lee Dorsey, Benny Goodman,
Booker T and the MG's, Teenie Hodges, Charles Hodges, Willie Weeks, Al Jackson, JB Lenoir, Dizzy Gillespie, Lucky Peterson, The Everly Brothers, Fats Waller, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Frank Sinatra, George Jones, Ike and Tina, Junior Wells, Little Walter, Little Milton,
Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Ollie and the Nightingales..TO BE CONT'D
Sounds Like
Prince's Hot Chicken
SHOUT! Live EPK
"Green Green Grass of Home"
Live - Americana Music Association Tribute to Porter Wagoner - Tennessee State Museum - November 1, 2007
"Mike Farris has enough heart, soul, and power to light up a city. He mixes up the elements and turns them into something new, beautiful, and uniquely his own." --Buddy Miller
"Mike's set was truly dynamic and one of the most thrilling and audacious performances I've seen in a long time. His show will be remembered as one of the great highlights of the convention." --Tim Kolleth Alligator Records
"Sometimes you have to go through hell to reach heaven, & watching Mike Farris perform songs off "Salvation In Lights" with a full band, I'd have to think someone earned his wings. Fantastic Show bordering on a religious experience." --Larry Timko, WIKX
"I'm so glad I saw Mike. I have spent countless hours in the gospel tent at Jazz Fest listening to hardcore black gospel from all over the south and he has the same vibe." --Jim Manion, WFHB, Bloomington
If Mike brings this ensemble on the road to a town near you,you had better go because you WILL NOT be disappointed,I guarantee it !!!" -- Big Kev Ploghoft, WXLV, Schnecksville, PA
Are you stopping for a concert w/your band in Madison, WI on the way from Ann Arbor to Minneapolis? PLS PLS DO! I'll try my best to be there! :) :) I'm gonna pick up Shout Live soon. As always, you rock!
Hey Mike, I just HAD to leave another quick comment. I'm listening to the live version of "I'll Take you There" here on Myspace. I gotta say I'm so PROUD of those McCrary sisters, they tore it up!!
I already have you on the calendar for August. We are so excited to see you and Julie again at Snowbird. Can't wait!!! Still listen to you everyday~ Love your music, keep on singing! If you have time to golf, all you have to do is let us know and Michael will take you to the country club! See you guys at Snowbird~ ~Michael & Sara
Ciao Mike ,thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. you are fantastic ..really. you are one of my prefeitis talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Mike, just wanted to say how much you have influenced me as a vocalist. I would love for you to hear our live version of RIDE THE TIDE.....that song , though older and from the SCW days is still my favorite song to sing.. i could never do it the justice you did, but I try.....
First let me say, we pretty much ran from the car to Center ROO, yesterday, could hear you in the parking lot!!! YOU were AWESOME as Usually, lots of the Winchester crowd gathered to watch you rock!!! Great show as always!! Was well worth the running not to miss you perform!!!
Congratulations on the Emerging Artist Award. And thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you for reviving the spirit of so many people. Peace, Love and Gratitude
Just wanted you to know that I have been a fan for Eva!! Since the Cheetah Willies blew me away back in Huntsville Ala.. I listen to you every morning on my way to work.. It takes me back when I hear your voice and it also inspires me with the new tunes.. You rock my friend and I will always be a fan.. Rock on.. Dawn
I'm listening to tracks from "Shout Live" here on Myspace. I NEED to go buy this CD! Hope you're having a great time in Spain. Come back to Madison with your band, PLEASE! We need a Sunday Night Shout!
Thanks for the great show at the Strawberry Festival. It was great to say hey to you and the girls. You looked great and sounded awesome, the crowd was alive. It was worth the 12 hours of travel time.
"Green Green Grass of Home"
Online Now!
