Mike was born on a ranch about 30 miles east of Abilene, TX, and grew up listening to country music. It was part of his childhood from his earliest memories. Since his mom was a devout Elvis fan, he would sit with his parents and listen. By the ripe old age of three, he was already bitten by the music bug.As well as a love for music, Mike has always loved being a cowboy. He began competeing in local rodeos as a bull rider at the age of 17. His desire to be the best led him to a full rodeo scholarship to attend college. At 21 he became a member of the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and the PBR (Professional Bull Riders). His bull riding career was cut short after a string of knee injuries and subsequent reconstructive surgery.When Bull Riding became an impossibility, he decided to enlist into the U.S. Army Reserve and was named Battalion Soldier of the Year, Brigade Soldier of the Year, and finished second at the command level competition.After marrying his life-long sweetheart and best friend, he changed his status from reserves to become an active-duty soldier. During his three year enlistment, Mike started a band. They entered and won the Battle of the Bands contest which landed them the opening act for Sony recording artist, Rick Trevino. The magic he felt on stage that night brought back and renewed his love of music. And, helped make the decision easier to go back to reserve-duty and move to Nashville to in 1999.Music opportunities began to present themselves; but, so did September 11th.
Mike and his reserve unit (part of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command), were ordered to active duty and deployed to Afghanistan for a year, where he was assigned to various Special Forces teams. He returned to the States and continued pursuing his music career, when after being home only ten months; he was ordered to active duty -- this time the deployment was to Iraq. Mike served in Iraq for 8 months before being injured and sent home. He and his wife recently had their first child, a daughter.
Now its time for the third try that is always a charm!!! Stay on the lookout for new material and hopefully an appearance from Mike in your area.
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