How long have you lived at the First Coast?
I am a 14 year resident of the FC!
Moved here to get out of the winter weather in PA that can run from October to April.
Even with a beach house in Cape May, NJ the oceanside season was just too short for me!
As a professional musician unpredictable snow seasons can just kill your business!
Originally planned to be snow birds to Key West and then fell in love with St Augustine and Jax Beach music scene.
No looking back for this FC loving girl!
What part of First Coast do you reside now?
Jax Beach
When did you know you had an interest in music?
Age 9 when my Mom would not let me take violin lessons at school with my friends because she couldnt stand the “screeching” of the learning process. When free guitar lessons happened that summer — I WAS IN!
Did you start with any specific instrument and migrate to other instruments?
Just guitar (primarily 12 string acoustic) for this Acoustic Chick Rock Singer!
Are you currently in a band (or bands)?
Who is your favorite musician or what musician influenced you the most?
Linda Ronstadt is biggest influence on me professionally but I love the stylings of so many.
Current jam is Eva Cassidy
Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!
Gig at Grand Ol Opry opening for Ronnie Milsap and that summer played Opryland stages with the show I was in from age 11-14.
What area bands or musicians are at the top of your list to go out to hear?
Too many great bands in Jax to count, but I do love Smokestack!
Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing locally?
Culhanes Irish Pub but most loving our Porch Time back yard events in Atlantic Beach!
Do you have any gigs coming up to tell our readers about?
This Saturday – 07/17 @ 11:30am-2pm. Beaches String Quartet opens for Great Dames Band
Location: 890 Seminole Rd, Atlantic Beach
What is the best way for musicians to network?
Are there any local venue owners/managers that you would like to rave about?!
Culhane Sisters
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?
How do you beat the tendonitis pain that seems to befall so many of us?
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone?
40+ years as a professional musician and I am blessed to work with some of the very best in Jacksonville. Gold record recipient and Grammy nominee Carole Mayedo is my music partner in Great Dames and musical family! Lead vocalist at www.fc2b.org for Sunday acoustic outside service @8am and Praise Band inside @11am is a great way for me to start off each week with more of the best of the best musicians in Jax.
Keep supporting LIVE musicians and the venues that host us!
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
