Mike Aiken

Singer/songwriter, entertaining storyteller, dynamic live performer, and recording musician? Yes! Acoustic guitar, national steel, mandolin and harp player? You better believe it!! This just starts to describe Mike Aiken. At age 16 Mike left his home in Buffalo, NY and hit the road for Chicago because, as he says, "That's where you went to learn the blues." Since that time the road and the sea have been his home and have perfected his style. From playing blues and country rock to bluegrass and traditional maritime folk, Mike Aiken has developed a style all his own. WHRV FM music director, Barry Graham, describes it well, "Influenced by music styles from Newfoundland to the Caribbean, Aiken combines folk, country rock and maritime to bring you maritime folk rock at it's best!" From his time playing roadhouses and clubs in the northeast US and Canada, and from his days sailing his boat across the Atlantic to distant ports in Europe, Mike Aiken has never stopped performing, writing and developing his music. He has performed on stages throughout the US, Canada, the Azores, Portugal, France, Spain , the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. He has shared the stage with many musicians along the way including: Papa John Creech, Tom Rush, Dickey Betts, Clive Carroll, Page Wilson, Old School Freight Train, Peppino D'Agostino, etc. The songs he writes and the experiences he shares are rich with the stories of life, love and wanderlust. It is in his two successful CDs that we can enjoy sweet, mystical instrumentals like 'Ocean Acoustics' and the spirited melodies with infectious lyrics as in 'Monsters'. With rich, strong vocals and exceptional guitar playing, Aiken takes you along on his adventures. In 2002 Takamine Guitars endorsed Mike as one of their artists. In 2004, the song 'Chesapeake' from the 'Getaway' CD was chosen for 'Songs of the Chesapeake' compilation CD along with songs by other artists like Bruce Hornsby, Tom Paxton, Robbin Thompson ... While Mike is equally at home performing in front of thousands or 50, he expresses, "My goals are to entertain and to create a musical world where the audience can get away for awile." Performing Arts Coordinator for Tidewater Friends of Folk Music, Brenda Barkley, cites, "Mike Aiken writes songs for a small planet, songs about the human journey. His latest recording 'Getaway' is one of those albums where I find the tunes running through my head even after the CD is over." Mike gives his audience more than just his music during a show, but a taste of adventure from the road and the sea. Mike is available for college tours, concerts and festivals.

Contact can be made via the website, through his agent, Al Salzillo/Nightside Entertainment 401-949-2004, or by calling him directly 877-606-5733.

Website http://www.mikeaikenmusic.com

Discography GETAWAY (2003) TRAVELIN' BONE (2002)

The song 'Nova Scotia Fisherman' on compilation CD SONGS FOR SAILORS (2003)

The song 'Chesapeake' on compilation CD SONGS OF THE CHESAPEAKE (2005 Release)

Downloads available at www.MikeAikenMusic.com

Songs receiving radio airplay: 'Thank You (My Buffett Tune), 'Caribbean Moon', 'Chesapeake', 'Saltwater Blues', 'Nova Scotia Fisherman'