Mike Strickland - Pianist - Composer - Performer

Fun in the Studio -The Billionaire with the Comb-Over Hair

mikestrickland — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:52:20 +0000

Besides performing and recording, I routinely help others record and produce their CD projects, develop their songs and arrangements for recording, and provide teaching/coaching for others on their own music path, etc. So what does the song ‘The Billionaire with the Comb-Over Hair’ and ‘Back Seat Driver’ have to do with anything? Plenty! I just finished co-writing, recording and producing a new CD titled ‘Laughing At Life’ by Blonde Divas. This over 50 all-girl vocal trio have created some really wacky tunes that are a commentary on our pop culture. It’s mostly a country feel with some blues and rock ‘n’ roll influences thrown in. The project was recorded here at my studio in Oregon with additional tracks recorded in Nashville (banjo), Arkansas (fiddle, mandolin, guitar), and Seattle (saxophone). They’re working on the CD cover now and it should be out by summer. I put together a sample of short clips from 4 of the songs: Here Comes The Train, Backseat Driver, Billionaire with the Comb-Over Hair, and Cougar.

Click the player below to hear the audio samples!

For more info on how I can help YOU reach your musical goals, visit Mike’s Musical Services!

“Frank’s Fine Day” sheet music now available in our store!

mikestrickland — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:48:14 +0000

Our cat Frank was with us for 11 years and gave us a lot of joy. He became ill and about a year or so ago, we had to put him down. Many will miss him. He made friends with all of the neighbors. One day when Mike was out walking the dog and our three cats up the block, a neighbor came out and asked “Is that your cat?” Mike said “yes, this is our cat Frank.” The man said “Well I want you to know, he is kind of our cat too. My daughter loves him and has been taking photos of him.” The pictures you see below are from his many “photo shoots” at the neighbors. Later he ran from their house with this bandanna on and the neighbors were concerned that he would show up at our home with strange attire. He was also fond of sleeping in pot holes in the middle of the street in front of our house until cars came and no doubt used up many of his nine lives with this habit.

After Frank’s passing, Mike wrote a piece called Frank’s Fine Day” inspired by Frank and his days in the sun, and it will be featured on Mike’s upcoming CD “Fantasy”. However, we gave a pre-release recording of this piece to our friend, David Nevue, of Whispering’s Solo Piano Radio. He has been airing the piece on his radio station for awhile now. We recently received a very heartfelt letter from a woman who heard the song being aired. She is a pianist and is fighting cancer. She said that this song was helping her to heal and and to please, please publish the sheet music so she could play it. So we did! To hear the song and/or buy the sheet music please go to our store. Thank you Frank. See you again someday.

Listen to Mike’s interview and music on The “Jazz Spot” at Fusion Coffeehouse session in Madison, Mississippi

mikestrickland — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:01:30 +0000

Last month, Mike sat down with Raphael Semmes at The “Jazz Spot” at Fusion Coffeehouse in Madison MS. The session featured lots of great conversation and of course some inspired music. Featured with Mike was Raphael on bass and Bud Berthold on drums. (with special surprise sit-ins by saxophonist Todd Bobo as well as Sadie the dog.) Here’s the recording of the session: The “Jazz Spot” with Raphel Semmes featuring pianist Mike Strickland

Watch Mike’s recent solo piano concert in Salt Lake City on USTREAM

mikestrickland — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:51:54 +0000

For those of you who missed Mike’s live streaming solo piano concert on March 10th with guest artists Michele McLaughlin and Elizabeth Strickland, you can see the recording here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21024444

Sheet Music for “Promise for Romance” Now Available

mikestrickland — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:28:02 +0000

Sheet Music for “Promise for Romance” is now available in our store! We have two versions of this piece transcribed. One is the exact transcription of the sound recording from the album “Touch the Sky”. The other is a shortened, intermediate version.

Daughter Elizabeth releases third CD

mikestrickland — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:12:50 +0000

Elizabeth releases third CD “Shades of Romance”

“This album has some of my favorite pieces I’ve recorded over the last five years and includes selections that I studied with my beloved Seattle teacher, Cassandra Carr as well as newer repertoire that I worked on with my wonderful teacher, Dorothy Fahlman after I moved to Oregon. One of the most colorful is the Ravel Concerto in G (second and third movements) that I learned originally for a competition. The second movement is exquisitely beautiful, and the third is so feisty and fun to play. My friend and pianist, Susan McDaniel does an excellent job of standing in for the orchestra part. The Rachmaninoff preludes were recorded at a time when I was developing a lot as a musician, and they were extremely inspiring pieces for me. The other pieces represent a wide range of composers and styles, but what stood out to me was how incredibly romantic many of them are”. ~~ Elizabeth

This CD is available in our new store here! All proceeds go to pay for my college tuition!!

Upcoming performances in Evanston WY and Salt Lake City UT

mikestrickland — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 22:01:43 +0000

Come out and enjoy a concert in Evanston Wy this coming Friday, March 9th! Elizabeth will be a guest performer, and I’ll be performing some of my arrangements with the Evanston Civic Orchestra, a jazz trio, as well as featuring some new solo compositions. Tickets

Then in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, March 10th at 8 pm, you are invited to a very intimate home concert at Cozy Corner Concert Series (Salt Lake City, UT). Pianist Michele McLaughlin will be joining me in this very special concert. I’ll be sharing some new compositions and Elizabeth will be performing some incredible classical selections. This concert will broadcast live on the internet so everyone can attend! Help us spread the word about the broadcast by inviting your friends to watch as well. We really appreciate the support. For tickets and information.

Mike’s music airs on NBC show “Up All Night”

mikestrickland — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:01:53 +0000

Mike’s music was used on the December 7th episode of “Up All Night”. They used a very groovy version of the song “O Tannenbaum” (aka “O Christmas Tree”). We have been on the road so did not get to view the show. If anyone heard it let us know!!