Sponsored by Greg Heumann's BlowsMeAway Productions
“Mighty Mike Schermer is probably the best blues guitarist, singer and songwriter you’ve never heard of…and probably not for long!” - Tommy Castro
“Every time I play with him my booty hurts afterwards from him kicking it all night!” - Elvin Bishop
“Funky and authentic!” - Bonnie Raitt
Texas heat meets California Cool:
Mighty Mike Schermer was a fixture on the Bay Area blues scene for over 20 years when he relocated to Austin TX in 2009 and joined the touring band of swamp-boogie piano legend Marcia Ball. He had carved out a solid solo career, with four critically acclaimed CDs, an award winning single and thousands of performances at festivals and nightclubs the world over. He also became the “go to guy” sideman for such heavyweights as Elvin Bishop, Maria Muldaur, Angela Strehli, Bonnie Raitt, Howard Tate, Charlie Musselwhite, Sista Monica, Shana Morrison and many, many more. Oh yes…we may be judged by the company we keep, but when the spotlight shines a solo artist also must be able to bring the goods all on his own.
Mighty Mike Schermer delivers on all fronts.
Charlie Lange of Bluebeat Music writes “…equally at ease with hard-ass blues or the spare necessities of vintage soul, Schermer steps forward with clever tunes, sturdy vocals and loads of great guitar!” while Paul Liberatore of the Marin Independent Journal calls him “… one of the most extraordinary guitarists of the new generation.”
Mike's musical journey started at age ten…fumbling around with guitar, trumpet and clarinet. He played in school and in various rock and roll bands throughout his teens, but everything changed one night in 1984 when he plunked down three dollars to see The Master of The Telecaster - Albert Collins. "Albert hit that first note,” says Schermer " and it was like a door slammed behind me and another one opened up in front. That was the sound and the soul and the feeling I'd been looking for in music up to that point.” He met Collins after the show and many times later until Collins’ untimely death. “One time I went to see him at the San Francisco Blues Festival” Mighty Mike remembers, “and I got backstage and went over to his bus to say hello. I knocked on the door and heard a voice…‘hey, I’m under here’…he was changing the oil!” That do-it-yourself, workingman’s attitude is what has kept Schermer in the blues all these years. It is a tradition he carries out on stage each and every night. From Collins Mike learned that one note can say more than a million, to honor your heroes but create your own sound and most importantly...to play your ass off at every single show! Audiences leave happily exhausted after his all-killer, no-filler energetic live shows.
Schermer expanded his vocal and guitar influences to include a host of blues, R&B and jazz artists like T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Smith, Charles Brown and Howlin’ Wolf. Ears began to turn…the next thing you know Mike was either stealing the show on his own or providing superb backing to better known artists such as Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Luther Tucker and Snooky Pryor. Texas blues belter Angela Strehli had recently moved to California and quickly tapped Schermer for her guitarist and musical director. Three albums and numerous festival appearances later, Schermer emerged as one of the most in-demand artists on the international blues scene. He has performed in all 50 US states and in 23 countries around the world in a journey that is far from over!
Mike's discography lists over 25 album appearances with some of the blues' greatest performers, but his last 4 solo albums have established him as hands down one of the top songwriters in the genre. His song "My Big Sister's Radio", from 2007's Next Set, was not only Carolina Beach Music song of the year but was also #1 on XM Radio's Bluesville for well over 5 months. The 2016 release of Blues In Good Hands garnered Mike a nomination in the Blues Music Awards (BMA's) for (ironically) Best New Artist...a category subsequently changed to "Emerging Artist" in part because of him! His 7th solo album Bad Tattoo expands upon everything Mighty Mike has learned in his 30 years in the business. 12 instant classics...hook-laden original tunes produced at Kid Andersen's Greaseland in San Jose, CA and featuring guest performances by Rick Estrin, Chris Cain, Billy Price and more showcase Schermer's mastery of nearly every style of American music. Pick up a copy today...or better yet at a live performance in your town soon!