Hi folks, the other day I had the privilege to talk with singer/songwriter, bassist and trumpet play, Mr. Michael Barrick. Mike is the dynamic bass player for Armstrong Bearcat Band (featuring Butch Armstrong, Billy Coakley and Mike), and the Bad Boys of Blues (with Jim Wall, Michael Bey and Michael Barrick). His style is flamboyant, flashy, funky, fast and fabulous. Mike holds a bachelors degree in music from Ashland College. He has played around the world with the Air Force Brass Quintet and jazz band. He's a husband (wife Kathy, who happens to be a piano teacher), and father (daughter Jeesica). He says "without them, their love and suuport, none of this is possible". He is really a humble down to earth person, and he also has the greatest hats, really cool. Here's some of what we talked about.
Reporter: Mike, how would you describe your style of play?
Mike: I would say it's a mixture of jazz, rock and funk. But it all started with jazz.
R: How long have you been playing?
M: I started playing trumpet in the 5th grade, and started playing bass in 1990.
R: So who are some of your idols?
M: Dizzy Gillespie, Joco Pastorius, Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker,Jimi Hendrix, Stanley Clarke, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power and AC/DC. There are others, like Les Claypool, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Peter Balzary aka Flea, John Entwistle, Primus and Galatic.
R: If you could play with anyone past or present, who would it be?
M: Miles, Marcus Miller and Mike Stern.
R: What is the biggest events you have played?
M: I played for Presidents Ronald Reagan and the first President George H.W. Bush. And in Japan, the Snow Festival.
R: What's the funniest thing that happened to you on the stage?
M: I was jumping up and down on the stage, and went through the stage, and kept playing, the stage hands pulled me back up on stage, and I was just kept playing.
R: What's the most memorable moment?
M: New Year's eve 2000, Key West Florida playing with Walking Cane and the fireworks over the water.
R: What was your most embarrassing moment? Being called out by the keyboard player during a song. He actually stopped the song to make his point.
R: So just how many instruments do you play?
M: I play trumpet, bass, piano and guitar.
R: Is there any instrument you wish you could play?
M: I wish I could sing better.
R: If you were not playing music, what would you be doing?
M: Probably cooking, that's like my next love.
R: Any parting words?
M: Just a few things, I found that if you are in another town and you really want to hear some good music, find a local artist and ask them who the hottest guys are. You will find the best, truest musicians. I have always said, fame doesn't equal good, fame equals fame. You will find in every town these cats that just love to play for the music.
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