Mike Stephens is an amazing singer-songwriter. Deep, witty, dark, touching, funny, these are the adjectives that apply to his music, which is folk, but with a definite bluesy-gospelly bent. The triple threat of his velvet buzz-saw of a voice, smooth guitar, and unforgettable lyrics make him a folk singer for the ages. Mike can speak volumes in a single phrase, which days later may still be bouncing around your brain trying hard to decode the shades of meaning.
As his producer I have been shocked more than once at the simple elegance of his music, and it has been an honor to help him to interpret his vision. Pick any song, and you will find a story that has real meaning for us all. They seem to transcend the typical, and go straight to the heart of listeners of any age or background. These are the stories we can all relate to. And they run the gamut of emotion and setting. "Tiny's Dying Song" allows someone on their death-bed to ease the burden of his family, by plainly stating that "it's time to fly". "Taco Stand Blues" introduces us to a pan-handler in an urban setting who understands that his appearance will be disconcerting to the average passerby, but all he wants is something to eat. It's funny, and it's enlightening too. But that's Mike, he'll hit you on many levels whether you want to be or not!

Mike's new album "Highway 101" is slated for release in the spring of 2007, and it will be like a bright new star on the horizon, filled with sorrow, humor, anxiety, but also hope and optimism. These songs will be your perfect companion on long drives, and are also tailor made for the silver screen. The songs in this collection are all over the map, some are solo performances with just Mike and his trusty Ventura six-string, while others are huge orchestrations. The experience of listening to this album is like listening to the radio, where the landscape is constantly changing.

Mike has been compared to so many folk and country music luminaries: Bob Dylan, John Prine, Tom Waits, Arlo Guthrie, Willie Nelson, Leonard Cohen, and others. The truth is that none of those comparisons apply. Mike is a unique voice on the folk music scene, but he's so talented that it's natural to try to draw parallels to the greats. A reviewer at the internet music site garageband.com said of Mike "he's no Bob Dylan". Well, I agree with that, but I bet Dylan would dig it!


Mark Meisel
Counter Clockwise Music

The Open Mike Cafe Radio Show

July 4, 2007

Title	Genre	Released	Plays
Your City of Angels	Folk	Jul 5, 2007	621
It Ain't No Sin	Music Videos	Jul 5, 2007	458
Where Does The Time Go, Missus?	Music Videos	Jul 5, 2007	453
Video for She's looking for a Boy	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	484
If I had a Penny	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	387
You Can't Tell Me Where To Go	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	559
The Cat in the Soup	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	491
Laredo Street	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	474
Tara Sings	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	460
Wolf Man Blues	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	458
Big Legged Woman	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	504
The American Dream Music Video	Music Videos	Jul 4, 2007	388
Simple Case of Rape	Folk	Jul 4, 2007	742
The Stars Can Wait	Folk	Jul 4, 2007	492
Highway 101	Rock	Jul 1, 2007	786
She's Looking for a Boy	Folk	Jul 1, 2007	514
Tiny's Dying Song	Folk	Jul 1, 2007	653
Hallow's Eve	Folk	Jul 1, 2007	624

Title	Artist	Genre	Plays
B3 Blow Out #1	JodyGrenier	Jazz	828
When The Right One Comes Along	maestrodog	Pop	1457
Stop the War - Requiem, Kyrie	dirigent [+1]	Alternative	1751
Shoot the viceroy	woofer3	Comedy	1041
Desolation Row	Dyl	Folk	2251