Mike Herman ~ So-Lo
Where Did He Come From.....
Where Did He Go.....
and ya really oughtta hear him play that Cotton-Eyed Joe!
Mike grew up on Long Island, NY. He got his first guitar at age 10 and started taking lessons. As a teenager he heard the fingerpicking guitar of Jorma Kaukonen on Hot Tuna recordings - and knew that was the style he wanted to play. Reading liner notes introduced him to the country bluesmen who recorded in the '20's and '30's, and so began his quest to learn and play acoustic fingerstyle blues.
A Bachelors degree in music at SUNY Purchase laid a strong foundation and understanding upon which to grow. A trip through Mississippi, meeting old-timers such as country blues guitarists Jack Owens, Eugene Powell and R.L. Burnside, fostered an even deeper desire to keep the music of days gone by fresh and alive.
Family trips to the Catskill Mountains gave life to the dream of living in the country - and that dream became a reality after college. Mike moved to the Catskills, and spent the next 12 years teaching guitar and playing in the acoustic blues duo - The Hell Hounds. They recorded three of their own CD's, and contributed on two compilations for Larchmont Recordings with other artists such as: Rhonda Vincent, Sue Foley, and Duke Robillard. They have performed at concerts, festivals, clubs and colleges up and down the East Coast and into the Midwest, and have opened for notables such as Roy Bookbinder, John Hammond and Bob Margolin.
Although The Hounds have since parted - the insight into the art and business of music offered by these years was invaluable. A brief and enjoyable stint with the bluegrass band, Aurora North, aided in Mike finding his voice.
His first solo CD consists of nine originals and three traditionals. Mike has blended his influences of acoustic blues, bluegrass, ragtime and most recently old-timey music into a style uniquely his own. His originals speak of life and the trials and tribulations it may dish out. His whole-souled talent and skill in composing is only heightened by his masterful marriage of words and music.
Mike currently teaches private lessons in Oneonta, teaches a guitar workshop at SUNY Delhi, tabs songs and offers "BluesNRags Lesson Packages" on his website, and performs solo regularly. He enjoys a peaceful life in the mountains surrounded by the pines with his wife Lorna, a dog named Geremia, (yea, thanks to Paul Geremia) a couple of cats ('Merle' after Merle Watson) 3! now - we added Galveston!, and of course - his guitar.
Reviews.....
"... if you get a chance to see him play live. Do it!!"
- Terry Doyle host of "Imprint" on Catskill Community Radio
"...Mike's vocals carrying us leisurely along with calm assurance.
... Mike Herman has also found his voice as a writer...."
~ Mark Drnek - WSRK Blue Light Central ~
"... "The Blues is a Feeling". If that's true - and I believe it is - Mike Herman's got the feeling..."
~ Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro - Blues Editor @ www.mary4music.com ~
Looking for Guitar Tabs?
What some others are saying about BluesnRags Lesson packages:
"...how terrific and professional everything is. Very sweet. I'm really quite thankful..." Gary
"...good and complete transcriptions... absolutely good value for the money spent." Carl.
"...What I really liked is the note-for-note accuracy..." Jeff
BluesnRags Lesson Packages are available for both Blues tunes and Bluegrass tunes.
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Contact Mike for more info ... Email Mike
This web site created by Lorna - Email Lorna
Some of the many places Mike Herman has performed include:
NYS Blues Festival, NY
Budweiser Lowcountry Blues Bash, SCHouse Of Blues, FL
Beale Street Blues, FLFingerlakes Wine Festival, NYGalveston Steakhoue, WI
Adobe Blues, FLMimi's Cafe, SCHeron Hill Winery, NY
Bully Hill Winery, NYAlligator Alley, FLRiverhead Blues Festival, NY
Adobe Blues, NYThe Blind Lemon, FLAlbany BID at the Park, NY
Savannah Folk Festival, GAStone Soup Coffeehouse, RIZig Zags Pub, NY
Music Shop Pub, NYSam Adams Beer Garden, NYOyster Festival, NY
Sidewalk Cafe, NYFnnegan's Wake Music Festival, NYMuddy Cup Cafe, NY
Nawlin's Grill, NYCorn Hill Arts Festival, NYOsprey's Winery, NY
The Poor House, FLChenango Blues Festivall, NYPatty's Luncheonette, NY
Clarksdale Blues, NYBlues 2000 & Beyond Festival, NYNight Eagle Cafe, NY
Cafe Aurora, NYSki Windham, NYNick's Waterfall House, NY
and many, many more!
Some of the artists Mike Herman has recorded on Compilation CD's with include:
Rhonda VincentLanghorn SlimMichael Hill
John AbercrombeCindy CashdollarDuke Robillard
Deanna BogartStacy EarleRandy Brecker
Sue FoleyThe Blues RocketsEileen Ivers