Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Newberry
Hi Mike, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a musician. My parents tell the story that, as a child, I could sing phonetically along with the radio before I could talk. Around the age of 6, I began piano lessons, I started trumpet at 9 – in the fourth grade, switched to bassoon in the 7th grade, and then began guitar at 13. My younger brother and I had a “band” with our best friend, where we wrote silly little tunes and made our families sit for “concerts”.
During high school, I continued to play the bassoon, earning the first chair spots in the All County Band 3 years in a row, as well as the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra (now known as the Baltimore Youth Symphony.
Around the age of 15, I started my first real band. I was always the one who could carry a tune, so I naturally slipped into the lead singer role. I also took up the bass at that point, since I could fairly easily translate my skill on guitar to that instrument.
After high school, I attended Towson University as a Music Ed major, focusing on the bassoon. I stuck with it for several semesters, but through a series of unfortunate choices, I did not finish my degree. I continued to play in bands, always as the singer, often on bass or guitar, usually without much success. I drifted from career to career for a while until I met the woman who would become my wife.
At that point, I had sorted out that singing was my true passion and I began playing solo acoustic shows with much more frequency. Then I found a duo partner. We hustled and ended up playing full time (4-6 nights/week) for nearly 8 years, eventually starting to work with Starleigh Entertainment, a local booking agency. During THAT time, I went back to school and earned an AA in education from Harford Community College, and then a Bachelor of Arts in Music from McDaniel College with a specialization in vocal performance. (Only took me 16 years, and I’m not a doctor.)
I took a little time off in 2017 to get over a little burn out, but since 2018 I have made a nice living as a full time musician. I split my time between solo acoustic performances, the club band More More More, and the Duran Duran tribute, Double Duran (in which I am NOT the lead singer for the first time in my life. Just the bass player.) I do well for myself, and am modestly successful. I’m quite fortunate to say that I’m in demand in my field. However, I would not be able to support myself without the wonderful woman I married. If she did not earn the big bucks, as it were, I would have to get myself a “real” job.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The life of a working musician isn’t always as fun as it seems to be. Melissa likes to remind me that my job is called “playing.” I PLAY music. I’m a natural cynic and have a tendency to complain, so that helps to keep me in line. I’m grateful for every gig and try very hard not to take any for granted.
Around 2013 I developed a nasty bit of social anxiety. I’ve always been a bit of an introvert, but working as much as I was at the time completely drained my social battery and I began having severe panic attacks. In retrospect, it was the first sign of the burnout that I finally did something about in 2017.
In conjunction with, or perhaps because of that anxiety, I find the long nights of travel to and from venues can be trying. If I’ve had a particularly busy few days or weeks, and haven’t seen my wife and my dogs enough, I begin to feel it. Call it “jaded,” call it “depressed.” I’m not really sure what it is, but it’s unpleasant.
Fortunately for me, I do not smoke, drink, or do any recreational drugs, so most owners and managers like me. I show up on time, my product is consistent, and I don’t abuse a tab, or the customers. However, I often think that because I don’t drink and because I’m a natural introvert, I don’t make fans as easily as some of my contemporaries. A typical show is 1 hour of music, followed by a half hour break. I treasure those breaks and use them to recharge as much as I can. I don’t go out into the crowd and buy a round for a folks at table 19, or do a shot with the bartender. It just isn’t something I’m interested in. I am of the opinion that has held me back a little. Maybe not held me back, but prevented me from being as successful as my “talent” might warrant.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As I’ve mentioned, I’m a singer. I LOVE playing guitar and I do it as much as possible, but I’m a natural born vocalist. I often say that I’ll sing anything you put in front of me, and my typical acoustic show includes everything from Bob Seger and Simon & Garfunkle, to Iron Maiden, Bruno Mars, and whatever else takes my fancy.
That said, I’m typically known for having a wide vocal range and a powerful voice. Bands I’m in are able to perform a wider variety of songs and genres because I’m capable of singing just about anything. (That has become harder as I’ve gotten older.) Believe it or not, I don’t like to toot my own horn that much. I try to keep firmly in mind that we (my contemporaries and I) all play cover songs in the mid Atlantic region. Too many have forgotten that and risen above themselves in my opinion.
I’m pleased to say I’m also known for my versatility. I have a little side hustle I call “The Availables”. When a last minute gig comes up, Linda and Gary Hutson of Starleigh will often call and say “Can you put something together?” My answer is “I’ll see who’s available.” Typically this is a trio, but I’ve done 4 and even 5 pieces when the need arises. I’m always the singer, but I can play guitar or bass as the situation demands, and often will switch off with the other string player. (No one wants me on drums. Terrible idea.) Add to that, I have a VERY wide range of songs and genres to pull from, and an incredibly diverse and talented roster, so I can put something together for almost any situation: 80s, 90s, country, classic rock, private event, club date, etc.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There’s an app called “Ultimate Guitar,” which I use to help learn new music. With the sheer volume I have to learn and the limited time I have to do it, it’s often easiest to just find a transcription. They’re not always right, but they get me in the ball park.
Other than that, not really.
Pricing:
- $300 solo
- $900 trio
- $1300 full band
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mikenewberrymusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikenewberrymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikenewberrymusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeNewberrymusic
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/themoremoremoreband
