Currently playing in the Gecko Brothers band and am working with Jeff Haughton on Acoustic Duo Patio Gigs. Play with MGMM @ GoldStrike Casino. Have sat in with The Plaintiffs, Soul Shockers and various other local bands around town.
My name is Mike Payne. On a rainy Sunday afternoon when I was 17 years old my mother asked me would I be interested in playing piano if she bought one. I said "sure, why not". I always loved music and and it seeemd everywhere I went that had a piano, I would sit down and pick on it just a little, even on the pianos that had the sign, "please do not play piano"! I also bought my own first drum set when I was in the 6th grade with my own cash and drove everyone in the house NUTS.
Then I began to take piano lessons and told my piano teacher I only wanted to be able to sit down at a piano and sing for myself. I was not interested in classical or being a performing pianists. I actually then cut my teeth playing in church and in southern gospel quartets when they were booming in the 80's. Church is a great place to get your chops up to skill. Most church's are begging for musicians that are willing to learn and help, especially with NO PAY!
What can I say..I love music and love to entertain and perform for people and help them have a good time, and I LOVE WHAT I DO. . I love to put on a Wild Shirt and Hat and beat the stink out of my piano with hands and feet!
I have the best of both worlds. I have a great day job as a UPS Driver, yes I "Drive the Brown Truck", and get to play music and make a part-time living at it as well. People ask me, "Mike, how do you play a gig, get home @ 3am and go drive the truck with not much sleep"? YOU HAVE TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO! You can find me on the Brown Truck in Cordova during the day with my wild shades and Ipod blairing wide open!
Currently I am playing keyboards and singing backup and some lead vocals for The Gecko Brothers, the Midsouth's hottest Entertainment Band. I have also entertained regularly as a soloist and as well as a Duo with Brian Gecko and Jeff Haughton and Bad Brad Dantone. This past year I have enjoyed venues @ Bahama Breeze where I soloed 2-3 nights a week for 6 months and also the Half-Shell Resturant where my duo played consistently for 14 straight weeks during Crawfish Season until the hot weather ran us off! Other venues include Gold Strike Casino, Grand Casino, Juke Joint(Southland Park) TJ Mulligans, Dan McGuinness, Jordan's Karoke Cafe and many private parties. I plan to do over 100 dates this year in music. (not too shabby with a FULL TIME JOB )
I have played keys with Mean Green Music Machine, Soul Shockers, Gecko Brothers, Payne Relief Band, and was house pianist @ Bangkok Alley Thai Restaurant for 1 year.
My musical preference are very diverse. I love Billy Joel, Elton John and lots of Buffett and Country music. My favorite is probably the old school disco from the 70's, BUT..I love to wail on some organ a good Gun's -n- Roses tune or some synth from Van Halen or some Poison.
My arsenal of keys includes a Yamaha S90 weighted keyboard and my die-hard Roland XP-80 as well as an old Korg 01W/Pro and a Roland JV-1080 module.
I also enjoy photography as well, and enjoy photographing my family until they get sick of me asking them to pose! All the photos on my site were taken with my Nikon D40...er of course the music shots of me were not taken by me ;) I placed 2nd and 3rd place this year in the Mid-South Fair Photograpy Competiton. I have recently taken up the challenge of Bass Guitar as well! I enjoy going to Huey's on a Sunday night when not playing to hear and support other bands as well and other clubs that have have "live" music.
On Sunday mornings you can find me @ Covenant United Methodist Church leading the Contemporary Worship Band for CrossWalk where I have some great players that I work with.
Feel free to leave some comments or do a "friend request".
Thanks.
I am taking care of my little one who has an ear infection or swimmer's ear! And you busted yourself out home on a Friday night too! Not partying either!
DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!! yeah, i'll be here SULKING while you're drinking little frozen drinks with umbrellas on them.... well... you look more like a beer guy......lol
Hey Mike, I just might do that, I gotta work til 11:00 at the liquor, will you guys be there after that?? Have a blessed weekend and don't forget to get your Momma a good gift for Sunday! See ya soon I hope.
