He was there in the beginning, backing up notables such as Ricky Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Duane Eddy, Eddie Cochran and Richie Valens. As the 50s melted into the 60s, Mike was drafted into the exploding music studio scene, where he became a first call guitarist to the stars. These musical legends included Elvis, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Simon and Garfunkel, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, The Turtles, The Association, The Mamas & The Papas, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and hundreds more.
But as was the case with too many, fame brought fortune, and money lead to excesses, including drug abuse. Deasy came close to death several times and in his search for help and an answer, found himself going forward when the invitation was given at the 1969 Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles. Though the road was not easy the next few years, he found himself yet again at the forefront of another musical revolution.
During this "Jesus Movement" that was setting the Christian world on fire, those converted now desired music to listen to that reflected their newly discovered spirituality. Most of these new Christians were young and accustomed to listening to the pop and rock artists of the day. So almost overnight, a new genre of music was birthed, with Deasy once again right at it's inception. Originally referred to as Jesus Music, and later industrialized as Contemporary Christian Music, this style of Gospel music took off immediately among the righteous youth and the search for singers and players was on, resulting in such early CCM pioneers as 2nd Chapter of Acts, Barry McGuire, Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, Keith Green, Larry Norman, Janny Grein, Scott Wesley Brown and Phil Driscoll, all of whom Mike recorded with and sometimes toured.
Since then, Mike Deasy has played guitar and sang on, written songs for and produced many Christian albums. He's toured around the world many times with his message of hope, and today, is a pastor of The Rock Church S.E. , in Port Arthur, Texas, where he's still using music to touch the hearts and minds of people like he always has, one at a time.
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Mike Deasy backed up Elvis on the 68 Comeback Special
Mike Deasy played guitar on "A - B - C" for The Jackson 5
Mike Deasy played one of the guitars on "Mary Mary"
Mike Deasy played on "Steppin' Out"
Mike Deasy played on the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations
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