About Mike Aiken
Why country music ?
~ Good Country music has the ability to tell a story and touch your heart and soul. I tend to play and write in more of a roots country vein and to me it brings out a more honest style.
If everything would be possible (waking the dead included), which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ There are so, so many great artists past and present that this is about impossible to answer… But Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley did a very good job on Whiskey Lullaby.
What song (that you’ve recorded) means the most to you and why?
~ I record many different types of songs for different reasons. Some happy, some sad, some about the environment, some about a dark side of life and some just for fun. I can’t really say that there is “the one” that means the most to me.
Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ Mick Jagger/Keith Richards… now that would be cool!
What is the one thing that readers/fans would be surprised to know about you?
~ I’m a ships Captain.
Give us one country song you never want to hear on radio anymore and tell us why.
~ That starts to get a little negative and that’s not who I am so I think I’ll pass on this one.
What is the question interviewers never seem to ask you and…you wish they would? (Please provide your answer as well.)
~ What do you call success in your career? I call success being able to touch someones heart and make them feel a little better with a song I’ve written.
Describe the ultimate recording studio (not the technique but the facilities)
~ The ultimate studio has a good vibe to it. One that has heart and make a musician feel good to be there. In a good environment you bring out your best. Of course great gear and mics help. I also like it to be in a rural setting. Did I ever tell you about the studio I built into an old Tugboat?
Are you still nervous before going on stage and if so, do you use any “rituals” to calm you nerves.
~ I may be a little nervous just off stage but as soon as I step on that stage… Its gone. Rituals to calm would be to mentally slow my breathing and focus on giving a great show. Running some scales doesn’t hurt either.
What was the most memorable day in your musical career and tell us why.
~ There have been quite a few and they all circle around someone letting me know how one of my songs or performances has touched their life and has made it better… at least for a little while.
~ Good Country music has the ability to tell a story and touch your heart and soul. I tend to play and write in more of a roots country vein and to me it brings out a more honest style.
If everything would be possible (waking the dead included), which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ There are so, so many great artists past and present that this is about impossible to answer… But Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley did a very good job on Whiskey Lullaby.
What song (that you’ve recorded) means the most to you and why?
~ I record many different types of songs for different reasons. Some happy, some sad, some about the environment, some about a dark side of life and some just for fun. I can’t really say that there is “the one” that means the most to me.
Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ Mick Jagger/Keith Richards… now that would be cool!
What is the one thing that readers/fans would be surprised to know about you?
~ I’m a ships Captain.
Give us one country song you never want to hear on radio anymore and tell us why.
~ That starts to get a little negative and that’s not who I am so I think I’ll pass on this one.
What is the question interviewers never seem to ask you and…you wish they would? (Please provide your answer as well.)
~ What do you call success in your career? I call success being able to touch someones heart and make them feel a little better with a song I’ve written.
Describe the ultimate recording studio (not the technique but the facilities)
~ The ultimate studio has a good vibe to it. One that has heart and make a musician feel good to be there. In a good environment you bring out your best. Of course great gear and mics help. I also like it to be in a rural setting. Did I ever tell you about the studio I built into an old Tugboat?
Are you still nervous before going on stage and if so, do you use any “rituals” to calm you nerves.
~ I may be a little nervous just off stage but as soon as I step on that stage… Its gone. Rituals to calm would be to mentally slow my breathing and focus on giving a great show. Running some scales doesn’t hurt either.
What was the most memorable day in your musical career and tell us why.
~ There have been quite a few and they all circle around someone letting me know how one of my songs or performances has touched their life and has made it better… at least for a little while.
