In no particular order...The Rolling Stones, Derek and the Dominoes, Derek Trucks, Santana, John Lennon, Bob Dyaln, Neil Young, John Mayer, Blues Traveler, Warren Haynes, Tom Petty, Miles Davis, The Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, Albert Collins, John Coltrane, Kenny Werner, Clint Hoover, Chris Michalek, Jason Ricci, William Clarke, Adam Gussow, Pat Ramsey, George Smith, Howard Levy, Carlos del Junco, Paul deLay, Mickey Raphael, Little Walter, Annie Raines, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, Son House, The Ford Brothers Band, Willie Dixon, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, John Anderson, Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Castro, Hazrat Inayat Khan, Buddha, God, and my iPod
Sounds Like
Derek Trucks, the Allman Brothers, Jason Ricci, Eric Clapton, Gov't Mule, Santana, Bob Dylan, Blues Traveler, John Popper, R.L. Burnside, Moreland and Arbuckle, Paul Butterfield, Ben Harper, Fabuloud Thunderbirds, Black Crowes, Rolling Stones, John Mayer...
"Music should be healing; music should uplift the soul; music should inspire. There is no better way of getting closer to God, of rising higher towards the spirit, of attaining spiritual perfection than music, if only it is rightly understood." -Hazrat Inayat Khan
"Music is like a river or stream that has come down to us through time, bringing nurture to man's soul...I want to keep this stream flowing...It must spread all over the world." -Ali Akbar Khan
“I think people who can truly live a life in music are telling the world, 'You can have my love, you can have my smiles. Forget the bad parts, you don't need them. Just take the music, the goodness, because it's the very best, and it's the part I give'” -George Harrison
NiteRail is taking bookings for 2009. For booking, reach us at niterail@niterail.com or (507) 351-2298.
Biography:
Lead singer and harmonica player Mike Fugazzi has
studied diatonic harmonica from two of the world’s top
harmonica players, Chris Michalek and Clint Hoover,
over the last four years. Career highlights include
opening for Indigenous, playing with Michalek-Strone
at the 2005 Mid Summer Jazz Festival, and sharing the
stage with harmonica giant Jason Ricci in 2005 and
2006. Fugazzi has developed the unique ability to
play chromatically by using the “overblow” technique.
His approach to the diatonic harmonica, although much
more difficult to achieve, is in many ways more
expressive and communicative than traditional
harmonica playing. The sophisticated sound produced
by Fugazzi is lyrical, soulful, and aggressive, while
constantly paying tribute to the greats of the
instrument.
While fronting the band NiteRail from 2004-2008, Mike played at some of the area's biggest festivals including the Tree Frog Music Festival and headlining a stage at Mankato's Ribfest. He and the band also headlined events like the Dead of Winter Jam and Old Town Summerfest in Mankato. Other noteworthy festival work includes headlining the 2006 Crawdad Festival in Chatfield, MN, playing in the KMSU Performance Series, opening for Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and playing sets at the Summer Solstice Festival as well as Oktoberfest in La Crosse Wisconsin. Besides playing in the group, Mike was also responsible for managing the band, booking, and some of the band's promotion.
Mike has played in over 50 venues throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and even in the Caribbean! Some of the venues he as played include Buster's in Mankato, Hooligan's in Mankato, the Kato Ballroom, The Cabooze in Minneapolis, Famous Dave's in Minneapolis, The Viking in Minneapolis, The Half-Time Rec in St. Paul, and Nighthawk's in La Crosse Wisconsin.
Mike's work as a singer, harmonica player, and song writer has been featured in various publications (a partial list includes: the Mankato Free Press, Rochester Post-Bulletin, Owatonna People's Press, Faribault Daily News, Blue Monday Monthly, Static Magazine, and Applauze Magazine). His and NiteRail's original recordings have been played by radio stations like KFAI, 96.7 The Dog FM, and KMSU.
What people are saying...
"Mike Fugazzi a rare musician. He's mastered the intricacies of the
diatonic harmonica and has brought it to a genre where harmonica is
almost never heard. Once the mainstream folk here him he's gonna be a
true American Idol." Chris Michalek, organizer of the Global Harmonica Summit and world-renowned harmonica player
"Frontman Mike Fugazzi provided solid vocals but it was
his harmonica that breathed fire into many of the
jams. I am by no means a harmonica aficionado but some
of the runs Fugazzi went on commanded your attention
and it is pretty easy to tell he has above average
skills. He was even able to harmonize with the guitar
on a few runs which was very cool."
Musicgoat.com
"Mike Fugazzi Rocks! He's a Great singer and a dedicated harmonica Ninja."
Jason Ricci, Electro Groove recording artist and Walter Trout's harmonica player
"...scorching Mississippi saxophone/vocals..." John Hammer, Blue Monday Monthly
"Fugazzi, growing weary of simply emulating past greats, dedicated his musicianship to fostering the intricacies of the so-called 'Mississippi saxophone.'" Drew Lyon, MSU Reporter
"His own voice is smooth and soulful, and not overpowering---a perfect blend..." Laura Groenjes, The Gustavian Weekly
"Band leader, singer, and harmonica player, Mike Fugazzi is a blues purist at heart, constantly thinking and studying music." Mike Sjulstad, Applauze Magazine
Endorsements
Mike plays custom harmonicas built by "Chris Michalek Harps".
He also uses in-line volume controls built by "BlowsMeAway Productions". www.blowsmeaway.com
Hey Mike! I hope this finds you well. There's lots of exciting stuff going on right now! I just wanted to let you know we've got some new songs, and pictures up on my page. Also we're starting to get some air play all across the United States. Stop by my blog section to find the request lines to the stations in your area. Do you think you could help us out by calling the request line and demanding one of our tunes?!? Let me know how things are going with you. I hope all is well! Talk to ya soon! -Jeff"
Hey man! Long time no see! You headed out on your own these days? I saw you're getting into slide playing. That's awesome! I just started getting serious about the slide...very exciting new territory.
Let me know if you ever make it out to the East Coast brother...would love to jam again.
Hey Mike, Do you want to come and party with us on the 19th?? As I understand it, there is going to be some great drinking arrangements!! Bring some friends as you're gonna love this one..Details to come....
Hey Mike just catchin up and seein whats new? I got the songs the other day so iv got move ot the parts down... there pretty simple! But i love Trucks!! Ill Try to get a hold of ya this weekend and if all is well we can get together and do a little jammin!
hey harp man! miss playin with you! and i did mention your ballziness on my site, in the hidden section with the nudie girls. it's labeled "Grandpa's Treasure Chest"
ha ha JK. we are certainly going to have to have a reunion gig or something!
