As his producer I have been shocked more than once at the simple elegance of his music, and it has been an honor to help him to interpret his vision. Pick any song, and you will find a story that has real meaning for us all. They seem to transcend the typical, and go straight to the heart of listeners of any age or background. These are the stories we can all relate to. And they run the gamut of emotion and setting. "Tiny's Dying Song" allows someone on their death-bed to ease the burden of his family, by plainly stating that "it's time to fly". "Taco Stand Blues" introduces us to a pan-handler in an urban setting who understands that his appearance will be disconcerting to the average passerby, but all he wants is something to eat. It's funny, and it's enlightening too. But that's Mike, he'll hit you on many levels whether you want to be or not!

Mike's new album "Highway 101" is slated for release in the spring of 2007, and it will be like a bright new star on the horizon, filled with sorrow, humor, anxiety, but also hope and optimism. These songs will be your perfect companion on long drives, and are also tailor made for the silver screen. The songs in this collection are all over the map, some are solo performances with just Mike and his trusty Ventura six-string, while others are huge orchestrations. The experience of listening to this album is like listening to the radio, where the landscape is constantly changing.

Mike has been compared to so many folk and country music luminaries: Bob Dylan, John Prine, Tom Waits, Arlo Guthrie, Willie Nelson, Leonard Cohen, and others. The truth is that none of those comparisons apply. Mike is a unique voice on the folk music scene, but he's so talented that it's natural to try to draw parallels to the greats. A reviewer at the internet music site garageband.com said of Mike "he's no Bob Dylan". Well, I agree with that, but I bet Dylan would dig it!

Mark Meisel
Counter Clockwise Music