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Mike Callan was born and raised in the small town of Williamsford, Ontario, on a steady diet of country greats like Don Williams. Perhaps foreshadowing his future direction, he also found appeal in outsiders like Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings. Moving to Calgary, Alberta as a teenager, he discovered and embraced modern country heroes like Travis Tritt and Mark Chesnutt while he taught himself how to play guitar. He made his stage debut at 15 years old and by age 16 was writing his own songs. The clever wit and charisma that are a part of his songs are an extension of his natural personality. ‘Big’ Mike Callan isn’t just a stage moniker, it’s who he is. With his strong, traditional voice, and an imposing physical presence, Mike owns the stage when he steps onto it. There’s a measurable energy in his performance, administered with a nod and a wink in the uptempo numbers, but he can deliver a ballad convincingly enough to persuade you that he might be the strong silent type while you wipe away a tear.HURRICANE, Big Mike’s new album (ICON/Fontana North/ Universal), delivers on the promise implied by the title. The quiet becomes a storm and you get caught up in it. Sensitive balladering one minute and hot-headed honkytonk stomp the next - HURRICANE is a collection of songs about a life lived, and the range of emotions worked through in the process. From the roadhouse to the trailer park, it references all the familiar themes in popular country music - both traditional and contemporary.Recorded with producer Steve Fox at the helm, who also shared co-writing duties, HURRICANE also includes contributions from Johnny Reid, Buddy Jewel, Billy Tarkington and John Rich (Big & Rich). A radio tour (with Duane Steele) to deliver the message occurred in the fall of 2006. Big Mike Callan and his band the Honkytonk Hitmen are on the road indefinitely thereafter to ride the storm.