Press Play> Vol. 7 Mike Stevens, Harmonica Innovator

At a very early age Mike Stevens found a harmonica. Actually it found him. Living in Sarnia, Ontario he couldn't help but hear the sounds of Motown and the Blues over the airwaves from Detroit. At 16 something snapped and Mike started to practice up to 12 hours a day. Creating and refining a very original and often copied style of playing.

This approach to music led Mike to audition for a bluegrass band; he didn’t realize that the harmonica was not an accepted instrument in bluegrass. In fact some people turn their backs or re-tune their instruments so the harmonica would not fit in only strengthened Mike's resolve and made his playing even more explosive and expressive.

In the 1980’s Mike was playing the Carlisle, Ontario bluegrass festival when Little Roy Lewis from the world-famous Lewis Family invited him on stage. The crowd went nuts and afterward Little Roy said "look if you’re willing to follow us around for no pay I’ll let you play with us."  So Mike would sit in the audience and Little Roy would start a tune then stop and say "What this song really needs is harmonica." (the audience would gasp – a harmonica ) That was Mike’s cue and he would jump on stage and they would burn down the house to thunderous applause.

In 1988 while appearing at a bluegrass festival in Georgia, Mike met bluegrass legends Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys. Once they heard Mike play they invited him up sit in. After the performance Mike heard the words "You need to be on the Grand Ole Opry" and that’s what happened. Mike has performed more than 300 times on the world famous Grand Ole Opry stage and can count the late Roy Acuff, the king of country music as one of his biggest fans.




Mike toured the world as a featured performer with Jim and Jesse for close to 15 years playing all the major bluegrass festivals solidifying Mike’s position as a true pioneer of bluegrass harmonica. Meanwhile the awards were rolling in: In 1990 Mikes first release Harmonica won Recording of the Year at the Central Canadian Bluegrass awards.

1990-1996 Mike was awarded the Entertainer of the Year award at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards and was retired from the category after six wins in a row.

In 1991 Mike's recording Blowin up a Storm was the highest selling release on Pinecastle Records.

In 1994 Mike was named a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky for his contributions to bluegrass.

In 1995 Mike wrote the book Bluegrass Harmonica detailing his unique harmonica technique - available through Hal Leonard Publishing.

In 2001 Mike signed on with Borealis Recording Company, one of the most prestigious folk and roots music labels in Canada. Both Old Time Mojo and The World is Only Air were released on Borelis.Mike continues to play many styles of music incorporating his influences and experiences.He plays solo shows involving looping with mouth percussion creating otherworldly sound paintings. 


Some of the highlights have been Avante-garde multimedia performances with world famous photographer Larry Towell

He also performs with duo partners - with legendary bluegrass musician Raymond McLain and blues shows with Matt Andersen.

Matt and Mike recently won an East Coast Music Award for their duo recording Piggyback. They prepared a second duo record during a recent songwriting residency at the Banff Centre. The new record is expected to be for sale soon through Mike's website as well as Matt's.

Mike Stevens' music is always evolving and reflects all of his influences, always pushing the envelope while respecting the past.

I have known Mike for about 15 years. You can read a bit more about our connection and why I like his music elsewhere on the Musical Immigrant blog.

Meanwhile I asked Mike to Press Play> and he did.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Inuit throat boxing that I recorded in the Arctic

PARDON?

Inuit throat boxing is a wild combination of throat singing and beatboxing. I don't think there is a term to describe it yet. It's too new

Mike recently performed at the Rockin Walrus Festival in Igloolik, NU, Canada

WHAT IS THE RECORD (OKAY MAYBE 2 OR 3 OR 4) THAT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC THE MOST?

Everything I hear everyday sneaks in somewhere. Maybe Tom Waits - Bone Machine

WHAT IS THE FIRST RECORD YOU BOUGHT?

A 45 rpm single by Harlow Wilcox and the Oakies - Groovy Grubworm I think I bought when I was 11 or 12. I probably bought it with my grass cutting money.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COVER TUNE?

Richard Thompson's version of Donovan's - Season of the Witch. Killer version



WHAT IS A RECORD YOU COUNT AS A GUILTY PLEASURE?

Bad Company - Runnin with the Pack

CURRENTLY, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RECORD TO LISTEN TO ON THE ROAD?

I don't listen on the road much usually stuff I'm working on or talk radio.

WHICH OF YOUR RECORDS IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

Probably the first one, Harmonica because it shook up the bluegrass folks a bit.

WHAT IS THE RECORD YOU BOUGHT THAT YOU WISH YOU DIDN'T?

Could have been Groovy Grubworm, I don't remember



Mike Stevens and David Lindley jamming on Mercury Blues - Sarnia, Ontario, Canada 

www.mikestevensmusic.com 

Find Mike Stevens on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeStevensHarp

Find Mike on MySpace