Qualified Records artist: The Rock House All Stars - Let It Bleed Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let It Be Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville, by The Rock House All Stars and it's a cool cover of the Stones tenth US album. Opening with Gimme Shelter, Jimmy Hall (Ex Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, etc) is upfront on vocal joined by Bekka Bramlett and they do a terrific job. Kevin McKendree on guitar really does a nice job covering the guitar lead and Yates McKendree is tight on drums with John Heithaus on bass with added harmonica by Hall. Lee Roy Parnell adds some real country to Honky Tonk Women called Country Honk here. Not at all trying to replicate Jagger and with Rob McNelley on guitar and Luke Bulla on harmonica, this is a great track. Rick Huckaby is up front on Midnight Rambler joined by Stephen Hanner on harmonica and solid guitar work by Kevin and McNelley. Nalani Rothrock on lead vocal and James Pennebaker on steel adds a real nice contrast to the release on You Got The Silver and it's authentic R&B country feel. Wrapping the release is Wild Horses with Lilly Hiatt and Luke Bulla (also fiddle) up front in vocal duet. A track with real country roots and a great melody, Kevin and  McNelley on guitars and Pennebaker on steel reall make this a solid closer. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Mike Farris - "Silver & Stone"

Coming off of an incredible GRAMMY win for 2015’s SHINE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE (Best Roots Gospel album), Nashville rocker Mike Farris keeps it earthy and personal on SILVER & STONE, out September 7 on Compass Records. The title refers to his wife's ring, and the album is a celebration of their 23 years of marriage and her steadfastness in sticking by him through his years struggling with addiction and alcoholism. Now sober for 7 years, Farris has the energy and conviction of a man saved, a stack of anecdotes and life experiences that would make most people’s heads spin, and a soulful vocal delivery reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. SILVER & STONE isn’t a “gospel” album by any means, but Farris still takes us to church on these 12 engaging tracks, including a cover of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll be Happier.” 

Produced at Compass Sound Studio (AKA “Hillbilly Central” – the birthplace of Outlaw Country) in Nashville by Compass Records co-founder, Garry West, SILVER & STONE finds Farris imbuing his songs with a vibey, lighthearted feel, returning to his roots as a rocker and soul singer. The album weaves through the traditions of American music the way that Tennessee born and bred Farris has done expertly throughout his 25-year career, starting with his major label band, Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies.

Sonically, SILVER & STONE’s warm organic sound and stellar playing recalls the cream of the Stax Records’ catalog. The album opener and Farris original, "Tennessee Girl,” seguing into “Are You Lonely For Me Baby?” and “Can I Get a Witness,” are loose and groove-driven, hitting all the right notes of soul,  and  blues with an effortlessness that shows what a natural Farris is for this sound. 

The studio band includes famed “Memphis Boy” Gene Chrisman (Dusty Springfield, Elvis Presley, Dan Auerbach) sharing drum duties with Derrek Phillips (Robben Ford, Hank Williams Jr.), keyboardists Reese Wynans (Joe Bonamassa, Double Trouble) and long-time Farris collaborator Paul Brown (Waterboys, Ann Peebles), guitarists Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt), Rob McNelly (Delbert McClinton) and George Marinelli (Bonnie Raitt) with Steve Mackey (Wallflowers, Delbert McClinton) and producer West splitting bass duties. Farris is quick to credit the crew in the band for putting their modern spin on classic grooves and progressions.  The band was given just enough structure so they could add their own flavor. Among the album's many standout moments is Joe Bonamassa's searing solo on “Movin’ Me” (Bonamassa became a fan and friend while opening for Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies in the 90's).

Melding the spiritual and the earthly, Farris says the album is about “reaching something better without actually trying.” This sentiment drives the Farris-penned composition, “Golden Wings”, written for his son, Christian, at “a pivotal point in his life, with so many options in front of him. That feeling of ‘Where am I supposed to be?’” 

Farris told Rolling Stone Country. "It's one of those songs that just flowed out after I did an exercise where you write a letter to your younger self. It has a dual message— something to say to a young person who is looking for answers, but also a reminder to myself to be free and open to the possibilities of life."

Another Farris composition, “When Mavis Sings,” hits equally close to his heart. Over his years as a performer, he’s had the privilege of becoming close to legendary singer and gospel icon Mavis Staples.  He says, “Mavis is everything you want your heroes to be.” Julie Farris elaborates, “She calls him ‘Mikey’.”  The song is actually a history lesson on Mavis' life, as it's completely comprised of literal tidbits of her life.  

“I wanted to explore that upbringing, being in that neighborhood with all of these luminaries and absorbing that music,” he says. “It was exciting to watch all the pieces come together and fit lyrically.”

The album closes with “I’ll Come Running Back To You,” an acknowledgment of the surrender intrinsic in love by accepting the kind of love that conquers shame and self-doubt.  Where the narrator of this song is losing his identity in service of unrequited love, for Farris, it’s quite the opposite—it’s relinquishing a vision of identity that needs to be served by attention or self-medication and instead takes root and grows through love.

“It’s the most essential, yet most difficult, part of faith,” Farris says.  “Remembering to open up and allow the universe to have its way with you and your gifts. Be open and free to the possibilities of life.”

"With a supersized voice filled with the electricity of Saturday night and the godly grace of Sunday mornings ." — Rolling Stone Country

“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

 "Country and gospel music is in dire need of some pure heartfelt soul right now.  He's like a secret weapon — he's loaded with soul."  — Marty Stuart (Rolling Stone Country) 

TOUR DATES:

July 10 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge

July 13 – Mill Valley, CA – Sweetwater Music Hall 

July 14 – Navarro, CA – Redwood Ramble

July 15 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s

Aug 18 – Saugerties, NY – Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex

Aug 23 – Chattanooga, TN – Songbirds

Aug 24 – Lexington, KY – Willie’s Locally Known

Aug 25 – Knoxville, TN – Open Chord Music

Aug 26 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre

Aug 27 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall

Aug 28 – Charleston, SC – Queen Street Playhouse

Sep 6 – Buford, GA – Buford Community Center

Sep 8 – Franklin, TN – Franklin Theatre

Sept 14 – Nashville, TN - AMERICANAFEST

Sep 17 + 18 – Penticton, BC – The Dream Café

Sep 20 – Salt Spring Island, BC – PitchFork Social

Sep 21 – Seattle, WA – The Triple Door

Sep 22 – Victoria, BC – University Centre Farquhar Auditorium

Sep 28 – Franklin, NC – Franklin Town Square Gazebo

Oct 5 - Madrid, Spain - Changó LIVE

Oct 6 - A Coruna, Spain - Sala Inn Club

Oct 7 - Gijón, Spain - Teatro de la Laboral

Oct 12 - Calella, Spain - Fàbrica Llobet

Nov 03 – Moab, UT – Moab City Baseball Field

Nov 29 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House    

Compass Records artist: Mike Farris - Shine For All The People - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Shine For All The People, from Mike Farris and it's nothing short of spectacular. This release is classified as Roots Gospel but I've got to tell you, it's simply great music. Opening with a powerful horn section Farris takes immediate control on River Jordan. Farris has one of those incredible voices that pushes the envelope and with the soul and power inside of him, he just belts it out. This track has an super R&B feel with warm vocal backing and incredible horn work bringing all of the heat you could possibly want. WOW! Up next is Jonah & The Whale with a solid Mustang Sally kind of strut. A groovy organ part keeps up the middle and with a hot bassed bottom and load of sax, Farris just cruises the melody in voice. Very cool! Sparrow opens with Farris sounding like he's standing in front of a congregation, delivering the word with spiritual like key work. Sliding into a dixie blues infused strut with piano, horns and rat a tat drums, this track has a great feel. Warm backing vocals and dixieland styling with that overlaid horn styling makes this track hard to ignore. Excellent! Mercy Now is a solid R&B /soul style featuring Farris in more of a mellow Al Green stance. A solid radio player with powerful backing vocals and instrumentation. Real Fine Day is a country style 2 stepper with twanging guitar and Farris riding the wave. With the power and carefree feel of This Note's For You, Farris just lays it out there. Very nice! The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow has a really nice groove and Leon Russell/spiritual style piano playing doubled up with Billy Preston like riffs. Farris, teamed with the incredible backing vocalists makes this one terrific track. Solid horn overtones and spiritual style singing carries this track high. Farris shows over and again his ability and sense of timing to bring it. Power Of Love is a great high stepper with Farris and crew really standing on it. Is there a spiritual message in there. I'm sure there is, but if you're alive, you can hardly missed being moved by this music just based upon it's presence. Farris keeps taking it up a notch and it really seems he's there and up it goes again! Soul ballad, Something Keeps Telling Me is a straight up radio track with a catchy melody, spot on backing vocals and well blended instrumentation. How It Feels To Be Free has the strongest relationship to a traditional contemporary spiritual track with solid vocal lead, and organ accompaniment. Farris' flawless delivery and backing vocals punctuation just floats. Wrapping the release is This Little Light, a track that most everyone has heard a million times as a child. Farris takes it on as if it has never been heard and with this girth and with occasional children vocal backing, maybe it never has been. Heavy piano soloing on the track is stellar and bluesy guitar riffs give it a rocky feel. I don't remember anyone since the early days of Leon Russell and the Shelter People who was in the broad national spotlight giving spiritual music this kind of attention and feel. Mike Farris sets himself head and shoulders above his peers with this excellent performance! This is a must hear release and a must see artist!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Mike Farris Spring 2014 Tour

Mike Farris Spring shows!! Hello fellow travelers and welcome to spring! Be sure and catch Mike this spring if he is in your area. Here is a list of all the shows, featuring the return of Mike and his MIGHTY Roseland Rhythm Revue to Nashville, Music City on Friday, May 16th! All ticket links can be found below! Thanks for tagging along with us and we hope to see you all soon!! May 16- Nashville, TN: Third & Lindsley (FULL BAND) http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4175384&pl=3rdlindsley&REFERRAL_ID=client May 23- Eatonton, GA: Crooked Pines Farm (Humane Society Benefit) http://www.livemusicinthepines.com/ May 24- Eastman, GA: Magnolia Theater http://www.magnoliamusicandmedicineshow.com/ May 25- Decatur, GA: Eddie's Attic http://www.eddiesattic.com/?event=mike-farris-2 June 27- Nashville, TN: NECAT Fundraiser http://necatnetwork.org/payments-and-giving/mike-mas-fundraiser/ July 12- Nescopeck, PA- Briggs Farm Blues Festival http://briggsfarm.com/tickets-2014/ July 18- Memphis, TN- Levitt Shell (FREE SHOW in the park featuring the Fantastic Roseland Rhythm Revue) Aug. 3&4- Canmore, Alberta- Canmore Folk Festival (1 of Mike's favorites!) http://www.canmorefolkfestival.com/

Mike Farris & The Most Amazing Christmas For All!

Make Plans Now To Join   Mike Farris& The Roseland Rhythm Revue               -for a special evening of Christmas classics  performed by Mike and his incredible band! Featuring very special guests-                       The Fairfield Four                     Saturday, Dec 21 2013                    Venue- Third & Lindsley                           Nashville, TN *To Purchase Tickets Click the link below: Mike Farris and the Most Amazing Christmas For All **And remember to please use the social bar up top to share on all your social sites.          Thank you and Merry Christmas!!

SHOUT! The Official Mike Farris Newsletter- Oct 2013

SHOUT! The Official Mike Farris Newsletter So, I know it’s been forever since you’ve seen one of these in the ole mailbox but better late than never. We're flying down to Dallas in the morning and there's lot’s to cover so I’m gonna just stick with the important items of the day- Firstly….. THE NEW ALBUM- Mixing is complete with the exception of two songs, then it’s off to be mastered. We have had more than our share of setbacks but we finally see the light out there! Everyone here cannot wait to share this record with you! We hope to be accepting pre-orders before Christmas as we aim for a early 2014 release, which is perfect timing to set us up for summer tours. I want to thank each and (almost ;) every one of you for maintaining your cool with us. Just remember, NO ONE wants this record out as bad as us J UPCOMING SHOWS-   Ok, now for upcoming shows. We can't stress how important it is for all of us to help get the word out for any shows we do. These are the foundations of what we do and to build our audience we really need you guys and I know we can always count on you! We are all thrilled to be embarking soon on our first Scandinavian tour! That's right, tilling fresh soil in one of the most beautiful places on earth and we can't wait to see what awaits with those beautiful people! Another big highlight for me is our Christmas show this year. This is definitely a must see event. BIG plans in the works here so reserve your tables now folks. It's gonna be a cray cray Christmas :) Be sure and check that list below twice to make sure you don’t miss any shows near you! That’s all for now. I have a lot I wanna share with ya'll about what's been going on but it'll have to wait for now. It’s off to the laundry room, then the guitar packing, gear, fold clothes, print itineraries, pack flight gear, feed and put all the little (and big) critters to bed, tell our son how super cool we think he is and wrap our heads around the awesomeness that is Texas. Thanks again to all of you special, wonderful, and uniquely beautiful people for allowing me the honor of playing music for you. I remain, grateful. In spirit- Mike Date       City/State                               Country                  Venue (Event) / Website                                 10/10    Plano, TX                                 USA                           Love and War in Texas/   www.loveandwarintexas.com/TexasMusic.htm 10/19    Nashville, TN                        USA                           Bonarooberts / www.bonarooberts.com 10/23    Decatur, GA                          USA                           Eddie’s Attic/ www.eddiesattic.com 10/24Greenwood, SC         USA                 Music On Maxwell / www.facebook.com/musiconmaxwell 10/25    Asheville, NC                        USA                           The Altamont Theatre / http://thealtamont.com 10/26    Charlotte, NC                       USA                           The Evening Muse / www.eveningmuse.com/ 10/27    Aberdeen, NC                      USA                           The Roosters Wife / http://theroosterswife.org/ 11/1       Kiruna                                       Sweden                                    Mean Bastard Festival / www.meanbastardfest.com/ 11/2       Kiruna                                       Sweden                                    Mean Bastard Festival / www.meanbastardfest.com/ 11/4    Kopenhamm             Sweden          Amager Bio / www.amgerbio.dk/ 11/5       Halmstead                            Sweden                                    Immanuelskyrkan 11/6       Odense                                                      Denmark               Dexter / www.dexter.dk 11/7       Esbjerg                                     Denmark               Tobakken / www.tobakken.dk 11/8       Falkenberg                            Sweden                                    Grand Hotel / www.granstigen.se 11/10    Stockholm                              Sweden                                    Akkruat / www.akkurat.se 11/11    Goteborg                                Sweden                                    Gotahov/ www.gotahof.se 11/12    Oslo                                            Norway                                    Buckley’s / www.buckleys.no/ 11/13    Linkoping                                Sweden                                    Arenabolaget / www.arenabloget.se 11/22    Bowling Green, KY            USA                           Johnetta’s Pub / www.facebook.com/pages/Johnettas-Pub/136181159783750 11/27    Nashville, TN                        USA                           Loveless Barn (Music City Roots) / www.musiccityroots.com 12/21    Nashville, TN                        USA                           3 and Lindsley / www.3rdandlindsley.com/

SHOUT! The Mike Farris Newsletter

Hello dear family!   My sincere apologies for the delay in correspondence. We've encountered a bit of a rough patch as of late- Our dad passed away September 14 after a year long battle with lung cancer....and so it's been a difficult season for us all. Nothing could have prepared me for losing him, but I am forever grateful that we were given a year to be together in God's love and spirit. Given my father's illness and all, we had to put recording, as well as everything else, on hold but I am really excited that we are jumping headlong back in to finishing up the basic tracking of the record. As well, we have some shows coming up that will be much needed fun time! So the info on the upcoming shows can be found below and for full details check out our website http://www.mikefarrismusic.com/sample-calendar/ We hope to see you all out there when we come to your neck of the woods! Thanks again for supporting this music that I am so very grateful to play even a small part of. It really is an honor and a privilege. In spirit- Mike Previous email had the incorrect dates for Nashville and Winchester,  corrected dates are below. October 12th - 3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN (full band) October 13th - Franklin County High School, Winchester, Tn (full band) October 26th - Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem PA (solo) October 27th - Lucille's @ BB King's, New York, NY (solo) November 21st - Loveless Barn, Nashville, TN (Music City Roots show, full band)

MIKE FARRIS - KICKSTARTER 2012 UPDATE

We are all very humbled and grateful to those who have been able to donate to the project via Kickstarter so far and wanted to share this video message with a sneak peak of a song many of you probably haven't heard yet. We still need quite a bit more help to be able to get this record out to the world properly and hope you can share this page far and wide.   In Spirit, Mike   To view our Kickstarter project click the link below : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/601965304/mike-farris-to-complete-and-release-new-album

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

The Mike Farris newsletter

SHOUT! The Mike Farris newsletter Kickstarter Edition Hola, and welcome to summer everybody (it's just around the corner, ya know). We are all excited to announce the beginning of our much anitcipated Kickstarter Phase II campaign. This can only mean new music, and, just like summer, it's just around the corner! In order to make this a successful campaign we are going to need each and everyone's help. Because of dedicated and devoted friends and family like you, we were able to raise $14,000 on the initial campaign last year which. This time around we need to shatter that number in order to give this music the absolute best opportunity to be heard by as many people around the world as possible. With every dollar, we can send this music to one more set of ears, the band can travel one more mile. Let The Music Begin- As you know, we began this journey a year ago with the first fundraiser, but I needed to step away, being the over analyzer that I am, and work on some more material. NOW, I know I have the right songs to make an album we can all be proud of, so as soon as the campaign is complete we will begin to finish the record! What to do once the record is completed? Even though the music is the most important part, money wise, recording the record is actually a realllly small part of the equation. Here's a quick look at what all needs to be done once the record is recorded in order to get the music to the world: Mix the record Overdubs (which we do few of these, cuz I know some great musicians ;) Mastering of the record Artwork and album design layout Manufacturing Marketing/Radio/Video promo Publicity (gotta let the world know we have something they all need, right?) Merchandising- new T-shirts, hats, baby bibs, dog collars to coincide with new record. Touring- Flights, ground transportation, etc...Booking a band this large is a feat in and of itself...but it's worth it! So, you can do the math and realize it takes a lot of money, time and effort to bring music to the masses. In our case, I feel like it is a worthy cause- a mission, if you will. We have the opportunity to bring a special kind of music to people who would perhaps never get to hear it. So many times I have stood on stage and thought, “Geesh, if only these people could see what I see and feel what I feel right now.” My wish for you is that through this process of making this record together, you can realize the joy that comes from a single person in the crowd saying “When I hear this music, something is awakened inside!” In the end, no amount of money can buy that. We get to be the bearers of sheer love and joy. That's our reward. Here's how you can help- http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/601965304/mike-farris-to-complete-and-release-new-album In Spirit- Mike

If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Oh Mary Don't You Weep - Mike Farris - Schedule Update

Saturday, June 16
Hoogland Center For The Arts - Springfield, IL - 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Solo show http://www.hcfta.org
Thursday, June 21
Utah Arts Festival - Salt Lake City, UT - 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue Salt Lake Public Library http://www.uaf.org
Saturday, June 23
Blackberry Jam - Leipers Fork, TN - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue http://theblackberryjam.com/
Friday, July 13
Harrison Festival - Harrison Hot Springs, BC - 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, July 14
Jericho Beach Park - Vancouver, BC - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Vancouver Folk Music Festival - http://www.thefestival.bc.ca
Sunday, July 15
Jericho Beach Park - Vancouver, BC - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Vancouver Folk Music Festival - http://www.thefestival.bc.ca
Sunday, August 5
Centennial Park - Canmore, AB - 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Canmore Folk Music Festival
Monday, August 6
Centennial Park - Canmore, AB - 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Canmore Folk Festival
Friday, August 24
Paola Roots Festival - Paola, KS - 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Full band show
Wednesday, August 29
Loveless Barn - Nashville, TN - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Music City Roots performance http://www.musiccityroots.com
Sunday, September 2
Snowy Range Music Festival - Laramie, WY - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue http://www.snowyrangemusicfestival.com
Friday, February 15
Imperial Theatre - Augusta, GA - 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue
Sunday, February 17
The Arts Center - Carrboro, NC - 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue, http://www.artscenterlive.org
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Mike Farris Update

SHOUT! The Newsletter March 2012 Happy belated new year everybody! I'm excited about this year, even if it may be our last one EVER. Historically, the Mayans are known to have been serious “Debbie Downers” and straight up pessimists so, here's hoping 2012 will bring us all a positive attitude, along with love, peace, clarity of vision and God's grace. Just to err on the side of caution, it may be wise to wish for good fertile ground, healthy livestock, and a wise Ace Hardware stock manager in hopes he/she will order plenty of firestarter logs for the coming year...... ALREADY ALRIGHT Making a record can be a scary endeavor for me. I remind myself of it's permanence and the importance of it all because of how this craft can take shape in other peoples’lives- how I will never be here at this moment again. A sort of insanity quickly sets in and I suddenly begin to feel the weight of Beethoven and Steve Cropper bearing down on me- great songs flood my mind-Eleanor Rigby-Soul Of A Man-the theme from Barney Miller...the ghost of Louis Armstrong begins to follow me around- I tremble before the genius of Tom Waits, CaroleKing, Aretha Franklin, Pops Staples- and Foy Vance- my good friend I love to hate -and the hysteria in my head that this record must be perfect, and I mustn't be too wordy and on and on it goes till suddenly- I find that I've become paralyzed with fear. Just then, I happen to find a chair somewhere to sit down and I notice a note on the chair that so eloquently says, “DON'T TAKE YOURSELF SO DAMN SERIOUSLY! I still want to know who put the note there, so that I may give due thanks, but in the meantime- We are getting back into the studio to finish recording our new record,Already Alright. I say our because that's just what it will be- By the time we play our last note-roll the tape on the last take, choose just the right photograph, proofread all the liner notes and shrink wrap it all up and place the little bow on the front- we would have all played our parts. Those who have invested in this thing, be it monetary or good ole blood, sweat and tears for fears-will have built a new-fangled vehicle for which to take around the world and offer rides for anyone who needs a lift. Sometimes the plans need to be redrawn- bigger carburetor, new-age wiper blades-maybe it's just not up to codes. The point I'm trying to make is that, yes, sometimes it takes longer than expected, but this ride we're workin' on is built for comfort, not for speed and, God willin', we got a lot of miles to ride! KICKSTARTER We will be starting phase II of our Kickstarter campaign in the next few weeks with lots of new incentives/prizes for participating so be sure and tell all your friends to come check us out. NEW WEBSITE The new website is pretty much complete and it's a good one! We've joined forces with Lotus Nile to design a more user friendly site, so we can communicate and provide better services for you regarding all things Mike Farris Music. We also have a spring merchandise sale going on now so go check it out .... www.mikefarrismusic.com 2012 TOUR DATES: March 14- Austin, TX- SXSW- KCA Showcase @ The White Horse March 15- Fort Worth, TX- Candera Centerw/ The Steeldrivers March 16- Austin, TX- Sin City Social Club Showcase @ Maria’s Taco Xpress March 18- Austin, TX- Riverbend Church May 4- Nashville, TN- 3& Lindsley acoustic w/ Ray Wylie Hubbard May 10 – The Hamilton – Washington DC May 12 – Narrows Center for the Arts – Falls River MA June 21- Salt Lake City- Utah Arts Festival June 23 -Blackberry Jam – Liepers Fork TN Sept. 2- Laramie, WY- Snowy Range Music (MORE DATES ADDED DAILY - PLEASE CHECK WEBSITE ) That's it for now . Thanks everybody! I remain- the luckiest guy in the world- Mike

Bman's Exclusive Interview: Mike Farris

Bman: Hi Mike. I appreciate you taking time out from your busy schedule to talk with me. I am totally at awe with what comes out of you!

Mike: Thank you, Bman!

Bman: I had to do a bit of catchup because outside of the "mainstream blues" my exposure to new music of the 90's was limited to the Pixies, Fiona Apple, Hope Sandoval, D'Angelo, Badu and Macy Gray. I mean I was thrilled with the return of my hero, Jeff Beck, but I mean new stuff. How would you describe the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies?

Mike: SCW started out as a rootsie rock band with a very spiritual leanings even then. I think, over time, we became victims of radio trends. I personally decided that radio was moving further and further away from what I really wanted to do, so I decided to move on.

Bman: I listened to a number of the recordings on Youtube and they seem pedestrian compared to your current work. Solid but not outstanding (to me). Were you working on solo stuff at the time? I have a track here of them playing here with Joe Bonamassa:




Mike: I had songs all along that I felt didn't fit what that band was about, yes. SCW was the only band I had ever been in, and so I really wanted to move on and experiment with other sounds, other musicians and do things that SCW really wasn't built to do. After the breakup, it took some time to hone in on what sounds really suited me and also to figure out that spiritual music was the thing that really moved me.

Bman: There is a distinct difference with what I have seen as you formed Peaceful Knievel. Tell me about that band. Was it ever formally recorded? I found this cool video on Youtube:



Mike: PK was a great great band. We never recorded, although we talked about taking it seriously, but it never happened. That band was crucial in my development as a musician and singer because I was stepping into a world of music that I had never been in. It was definitely school for me. Looking back, I realize that was the time I began to really find my voice and learn how to sing.

Bman: So then you formed Roseland Rhythm Revue. Is this a morphing of the previous band or all new players?


Mike: I began recording Salvation In Lights with the idea of starting completely anew, even though Audley Freed, who played guitar in Peaceful Knievel, was in town as well as various other outstanding musician friends. So I went into it with complete strangers, albeit amazingly talented strangers! People like Eric Holt, Joe McMahan, Jim Hoke and Dave Roe. It developed into the best record I have ever been a part of.

Bman: That's the lineup that I've seen and then with the addition of the McCrary Sisters. That is an amazing lineup. How did that come about?

Mike: I love music and I love the art of making music and so it's difficult for me to have a set group of people to play with when, in fact, there are so many great players and singers out there, so the lineup has changed and evolved over the past few years. That said, I feel like the lineup we have now is a really special group of people whom I love to spend time with as well as play music with. The McCrary Sisters weren't a group when we began to work together. Ann and Regina were doing some studio work and playing some live shows with people like Buddy Miller. When we started work on Salvation In Lights Regina was actually working at a theater in Myrtle Beach and couldn't make the recordings, so I met her later on. I liked the idea of having sisters singing together so I went with that lineup of singers, then later, sister Alfreda would join us for local shows mainly.



Bman: Seems like a marriage made in Heaven! I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware of your work until last year. I came across and wrote about your recording of "A Change Is Gonna Come". One of my readers, a knowledgeable and avid blues aficionado as well as a radio DJ said in response to my writing: "Wow! You got me again Bman, This song for vocalists is like Hideaway for guitar players. Should not be attempted unless you can nail it. Mike Farris nailed it and then some. Even the McCrary Sisters seem to be in awe of him. Thanks for another great turn on!" You definitely got some attention with those recordings!

Mike: We all felt like there was a real breakthrough with S.I.L. Even when we were recording it, I felt like, for the first time in my career, I had found my place and I find a lot of encouragement in all the accolades it received.

Bman: You definitely have it going! So what have you got in the works? I read on the internet that you had a new release in the works for late 2011.

Mike: Yes, we are working on it still, obviously behind schedule.

Bman: If you can talk about it, tell me about the lineup and when the release will be available.

Mike: The players for the first phase of recording consisted of Kenny Vaughan (guitar), Kevin McKendree (keys), Dave Roe (bass), Derrek Phillips (drums), Quintin Ware (trumpet), Chris West(sax) and the girls. The second phase players are Derrek, Bart Walker (guitar), Reese Wynans(keys), Michael Rhodes (bass), Jim Hoke (sax), various singers, and other various outstanding players. We are hoping to get the record out as soon as possible obviously, but I won't release anything until I feel it's the right songs.


Bman: I think that you have a good handle on that. Will there be a dramatic change for listeners from previous releases? Do you have the McCrary Sisters back?

Mike: The sound visions are always evolving so it won't be S.I.L. vol.2. The girls will definitely be a part of the record, but I'm sure there will be other singers as well. Again, there are simply too many great singers out there that I would love to work with.

Bman: Are you composing new material or mostly interpretation of traditional songs? The previous releases have been spectacular!

Mike: That aspect of the process will stay the same. I've realized that I love interpreting the old songs because of the strength of the material as well as the spiritual depth.


Bman: You definitely take them and make them your own! Do you have anything else that you would like to share with your fans?

Mike: Great blessings to everyone!

Bman: Thanks again Mike. Your tops on my sheet! I really appreciate your time and hope to hear from you again soon!
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