Michael Messer - Biography

Born in Middlesex, 1956. Mike spent his teen years honing his skills playing alongside his brothers in local rock bands. He became interested in the blues in his early twenties, listening to a mixed bag including UK blues artists Dave and Jo Ann Kelly, Cyril Davies and Alexis Korner alongside the likes of their US counterparts Bo Diddley, Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.

Mike soon discovered a passion for Chicago and Delta Blues. He headed for the US where he met many renowned guitarists including the legendary Johnny Cash who would go on to write sleeve notes in Mike’s 1993 album Rhythm Oil. Inspired by his trip, on his return to the UK Mike brought his first National Steel Guitar and set about mastering the Mississippi delta blues slide.

During the early 1980’s Mike met guitarist Ed Genis and they formed a partnership that has lasted well over two decades and still see’s them gigging together today. Having also gigged regularly with bluesman Mike Cooper. Cooper and Froots editor, Ian Anderson invited Mike to play slide guitar on their 1984 Continuous Preaching Blues album.

The following year Mike formed the Michael Messer band and received fantastic reviews for their first album Driving Duck. Collaboration albums followed with the Venice Beach Busker and S.E Rogie and in 1990 Mike released his second solo album Slidedance, the album receive rave reviews and the next year Michael was named Acoustic Blues Artist of the Year at the B.B.C Awards.

Rhythm Oil and the pioneering 1995 album Moonbeat followed with DJ Louis Genis, (son of Ed), mixing blues vinyl alongside Mike’s guitar. The album was released to glowing reviews. National Avenue and compilation album King Guitar followed which received critical acclaim and reached number one in the American, Living Blues chart.

In 2003 Mike released his 8th album, Second Mind; once again rave reviews followed, Second Mind featured the regular band, including Louis Genis on turntables and they were joined by the legendary Ruby Turner on backing vocals. The album produced a remarkable mix of modern and traditional and went on to beat Chris Rea to win the Best Blues Guitar Album at the 2003 International Guitar Federation awards.

2006 heralds two new releases from Michael; new album Lucky Charms consisting of ten original songs and of course his DVD in the Guitar Maestro’s series. Both are bound to be winners for this truly great British bluesman.

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