In 2002 Mike Rodgers bought his first guitar. Actually, his first experience with any musical instrument was on the piano when while he was younger, his mom enrolled him in lessons. And although his formal training in music has helped him make the transition to the six stringed lute, he is a self taught guitarist. “There are a lot of resources online that make it easy to learn guitar. It just takes a little dedication. I really wanted to learn so I did.”
It wasn’t long after this that his newly developed finger picking skills were being used among friends and in high school bands. “The better I got, the more I wanted to play and sing for people.” And that he did. In 2008 he marked over 100 performances throughout the Erie, Pennsylvania area – his college hometown.
While dedicating most of his time in his studies and community service, his passion for playing and singing continued to grow, as well as a newborn passion for writing. “Music goes beyond reason and touches people at different moments in their lives. I can remember listening to one of my favorite bands growing up, the Goo Goo Dolls and how much their music meant to me. I began to fall in love with the idea of writing stories and communicating language through song.”
After much rearranging, writing, and re-writing, as well as many days in the recording studio, Mike released his first album on August 31, 2011. The album, Down For The Taking was a compilation of his writing style during his college years; articulate, honest, and personal.
In the months following his new release Mike believed it was time to move from Pittsburgh to Nashville. So that’s what he did. “There is so much about Nashville that makes it easy to be a musician and love what you do.” Throughout his time there he’s performed at many places including the world renowned Bluebird Cafe and the world famous Wildhorse Saloon. He is a regular at the Commodore Grille writers nights inside the Holiday Inn near Vanderbilt University. “This is probably my favorite place to play in Nashville. Debi Champion does the booking and she is just amazing and always makes it a great night for everyone.”
Mike just released a new album August 8 that he produced on his own.The self-titled album is made up of 9 songs that he wrote here in Nashville. “The greatest thing I’ve learned about songwriting since I’ve been in Nashville is that every song I write doesn’t have to be about my own life. You can be creative and imaginative as a writer – putting yourself in other people’s shoes while listening and proposing the most creative way to express and idea.” His most recent single entitled “Kiss You Girl” can be found on iTunes as well as a video production on YouTube.
Outside of his own musical endeavors, Mike is a guitar player/harmony singer for country music artist Monte James. With Monte he is a reqular at many places around Nashville including ‘Tequila Cowboy’ – a bar on Broadway St. in downtown Nashville.
In his spare time Mike can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of Nashville. “There is so much fun and good things going on here – especially with music. And that is good, because its what I love the most!” He is currently booking and performing shows in the Nashville, TN area.
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