Mike Martin / Guitar & Vocals

Born in Wichita, KS in the winter of 1966, Mike came to feel rhythm and music early on in his childhood. Even as a restless toddler, his mother would take him to the old train depot, to let the clickety-clack lull him to sleep.  As with many musicians, he benefitted greatly from generations of musical influence and appreciation within his family tree, from his mother's pop, rock, and R&B, to his grandpa's jazz, swing, and blues.

 Learning to play the piano as a child, he also played the trumpet through school along with singing in plays, concerts, and church.  At the age of 9, he was given his first guitar, but found it hard to play, and set it down, only messing with it once in awhile.  But a couple years later, needing a different instrument to more naturally express the musical feeling within, he picked it up, never to put it down again.

 He bounced around from project band to project band, and after high school, began to focus on the blues, but was content to play acoustic guitar on his porch, or in the park.  For ten years through many trials and tribulations of life, it was just Mike, his acoustic, and these blues.  After some prompting from friends and passers-by, he bought an electric, and started hitting the open stage jams at local bars. getting to know all the local talent, and jamming with them when possible.

 In 1998, Mike, and fellow guitarist Pete Tech, put together what was to be a pre-cursor to the band Out of the Blue.  With bassist Rich Harrington, and drummer Dennis McNeil, they proved to be a powerful combination.  But schedules and differing personal tastes wouldn’t allow this band off the ground.

 After meeting up with this present, and long time line up, Mike describes this band as family.  "I am so blessed to be creating and performing with musicians of such talent and experience. If you believe in the material, and love the people you're with it becomes apparent to the audience, and fans.  It adds that crucial truth, and reality of feeling to your performances."

 Mike uses Gibson and Epiphone guitars, Leslie and Mesa Boogie amplifiers exclusively. No electronic crap!