Mike Farris (musician)
Encyclopedia
Mike Farris is an American musician. He was the founder and lead singer of Nashville, Tennessee
group Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies
, but has been a solo act since 2001. He has put out 2 studio releases as well as a one live record as Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue as well as a charity EP as Mike Farris and the Cumberland Saints. His music is diverse but tends to be rooted in early American gospel and blues.
in 1990; they released three major-label albums and had sustained success on the U.S. rock charts in the 1990s. After their breakup, Farris sang with SCW, Peaceful Knievel and for a time fronted Double Trouble
, the backing band for Stevie Ray Vaughan
. Farris became a practicing Christian and rejected drugs and alcohol, and released his first solo album in 2002. 2007 saw him release his second solo effort, the strongly Southern-influenced Salvation in Lights, on INO/Columbia Records. Farris played SXSW and Creation Festival
later in 2008. The live “Sunday Night Shout!” was recorded live at the Station Inn
in Nashville TN on October 12, 2008 but was a digital only release. On April 14, 2009, Farris released SHOUT! Live, as Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue, featuring the McCrary Sisters that was recorded over 4 nights at his Station Inn residency.
In May 2010, after the devastating floods of Middle Tennessee, Mike gathered up some "A" list Nashville musicians to record a charity EP entitled The Night the Cumberland Came Alive. Recorded in 6 hours at the historic Downtown Presbyterian Church the six song EP consisted of music inspired by the early jug bands and pre-war era of roots gospel, blues and country. Dubbed Mike Farris and the Cumberland Saints, proceeds of the project were donated to benefit the victims of the flood via the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The Cumberland Saints line up featured: Sam Bush, Ketch Secor and Gill Landry from Old Crow Medicine Show, Bryon House, Kenny Vaughan along with members of the Roseland Rhythm Revue and the McCrary Sisters.
The end of 2010 saw Mike begin recording of his follow-up to Salvation in Lights with Kevin McKendree and other members of Delbert McClinton's band. Release is scheduled for mid 2011.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
group Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies are a band from Nashville, Tennessee which formed in the early 1990s. The band embraced a southern boogie style which led to comparisons with groups such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Collective Soul, and Cry of Love. The band played at a...
, but has been a solo act since 2001. He has put out 2 studio releases as well as a one live record as Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue as well as a charity EP as Mike Farris and the Cumberland Saints. His music is diverse but tends to be rooted in early American gospel and blues.
Biography
Farris's parents divorced when he was eleven years old; he began using drugs and alcohol from an early age, and almost died from an overdose before he was 21 years old. He recovered and went on to form the group Screamin' Cheetah WheeliesScreamin' Cheetah Wheelies
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies are a band from Nashville, Tennessee which formed in the early 1990s. The band embraced a southern boogie style which led to comparisons with groups such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Collective Soul, and Cry of Love. The band played at a...
in 1990; they released three major-label albums and had sustained success on the U.S. rock charts in the 1990s. After their breakup, Farris sang with SCW, Peaceful Knievel and for a time fronted Double Trouble
Double Trouble (band)
Double Trouble was the backing rhythm section for Texas blues rock guitarist and lead vocalist Stevie Ray Vaughan. Originally consisting of drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, Reese Wynans would later join the outfit on keyboards.-History:...
, the backing band for Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
. Farris became a practicing Christian and rejected drugs and alcohol, and released his first solo album in 2002. 2007 saw him release his second solo effort, the strongly Southern-influenced Salvation in Lights, on INO/Columbia Records. Farris played SXSW and Creation Festival
Creation Festival
Creation Festival consists of two annual, four-day Christian music festivals held in the United States. According to www.Creationfest.com, the festivals have become the "Nation's Largest Christian Music Festivals." This is in reflection to Creation Northeast being known to attract 100,000...
later in 2008. The live “Sunday Night Shout!” was recorded live at the Station Inn
Station Inn
The Station Inn is a concert venue in Nashville, Tennessee that hosts bluegrass acts. Frommers wrote that it is "widely regarded as one of the best bluegrass venues around"...
in Nashville TN on October 12, 2008 but was a digital only release. On April 14, 2009, Farris released SHOUT! Live, as Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue, featuring the McCrary Sisters that was recorded over 4 nights at his Station Inn residency.
In May 2010, after the devastating floods of Middle Tennessee, Mike gathered up some "A" list Nashville musicians to record a charity EP entitled The Night the Cumberland Came Alive. Recorded in 6 hours at the historic Downtown Presbyterian Church the six song EP consisted of music inspired by the early jug bands and pre-war era of roots gospel, blues and country. Dubbed Mike Farris and the Cumberland Saints, proceeds of the project were donated to benefit the victims of the flood via the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The Cumberland Saints line up featured: Sam Bush, Ketch Secor and Gill Landry from Old Crow Medicine Show, Bryon House, Kenny Vaughan along with members of the Roseland Rhythm Revue and the McCrary Sisters.
The end of 2010 saw Mike begin recording of his follow-up to Salvation in Lights with Kevin McKendree and other members of Delbert McClinton's band. Release is scheduled for mid 2011.
Discography
- Goodnight Sun (Mean It!, 2002)
- Salvation in Lights (INO RecordsINO RecordsINO Records, also known as Fair Trade Services, is an American record label based in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, specializing in Contemporary Christian music . It is distributed through Sony Music Entertainment, and was owned by Integrity Media until June 2011. When Integrity Media sold its assets...
, 2007) - Sunday Night Shout! (INO Records, 2008)
- Shout! Live (INO Records, 2008)
- The Night the Cumberland Came Alive (eOne Entertainment, 2010)
Awards
- 2008 Americana Music Award for new and emerging artist
- 2010 GMA Dove Award for Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for SHOUT! Live