Just announced this week, Curb Records' band MIKESCHAIR has received four GMA Dove Award nominations. The winners will be announced live at the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards Wednesday, April 20th from Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre.
MIKESCHAIR is nominated for Group of the Year, Song of the Year (for "Let The Waters Rise"), Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year ("Keep Changing The World") and for Rock Recorded Song (with "Straight To Your Heart").
The band is extremely honored to be recognized by the Dove voters and their peers. “We are so blessed to have the opportunity night after night to communicate the love God has shown us to others," MIKESCHAIR lead vocalist and guitarist, Mike Grayson, exclaims. "Being nominated for that blessing is icing on the cake for us. We are honestly so excited to be honored and recognized among so many incredible artists.”
MIKESCHAIR's "Keep Changing The World" was most recently awarded by Cross International as the organization's "Harmony of Hearts" Song of the Year winner for 2010. This annual award goes to a song that best represents God's concern for the poor and His call to serve them. Congratulations to MIKESCHAIR on this award! Click here for more information.
According to a report released by WJIS/The JOY FM, which serves central and southwest Florida, in a record-shattering outpouring of support listeners in the community provided 27,716 new pairs of shoes for orphans located in Guatemala through the "Shoes for Orphan Souls" program. Curb Records' recording artist, MIKESCHAIR, once again joined The JOY FM to help provide for orphans with their own hands-on involvement by collecting shoes, by providing their hit song, “Keep Changing the World” as the theme song for these efforts, as well as personally delivering the shoes to these orphaned children. This is the second time MIKESCHAIR has partnered with The JOY FM in this capacity. Last year took the group to Peru with "Shoes for Orphan Souls" and delivered over 7,000 pair of shoes.
Sam Tinnesz, lead guitarist for MIKESCHAIR, commented, "I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Guatemalan people and their rich culture. It was so humbling to get to wash the feet of orphans while sharing the love of Christ with them. I will never forget the joy on their faces when we handed them a new pair of shoes."
The members of MIKESCHAIR - Tinnesz, Mike Grayson, Jesse Hale and Jon Haire - were joined and led on the trip by Carmen Brown, PD and morning show host of The JOY FM, who also participated on the excursion to Peru last year. The trip to Guatemala was also joined by a handful of JOY FM listeners. Pictures taken from the trip to Guatemala, held last month, are highlighted below. The shoe outreach was sponsored by Buckner International Ministries ( shoesfororphansouls.org), who also sponsored the trip to Peru.
Also according to the press release distributed by The JOY FM, additionally for the trip this year the charitable organization BeautifulFeet.org agreed to match up to 12,000 pairs of shoes for every pair of shoes listeners donated. Spurred on by the matching gift and a challenge to small groups to collect the most shoes with the reward of having MIKESCHAIR perform at the winner's church, listeners provided 15,716 shoes, almost doubling the previous record of 8,600! More impressive than the number of donated shoes were stories of why people gave to this effort. A woman who donated two pairs of boy's shoes at the last “shoe stop” in Sarasota did so because she had recently lost her son and wanted to give shoes in honor of him.
THE MINISTRY OF MIKESCHAIR
MIKESCHAIR partners with organizations such as Buckner International and utilizes mikestable at many of their shows, in hopes that people become aware of what's going on in the world in terms of need, to give them empowerment, while also to give options. MIKESCHAIR welcomes audiences to visit mikestable that is dedicated to offering information for various causes such as Food for the Hungry, IJM, Love 146 and more.
Sparrow Records’ rising female artist Britt Nicole will embark on several tours throughout the year, the first of which is The Summerfest Tour with pop-rock bands Building 429 and MIKESCHAIR. Immediately following her summer endeavors, Britt will continue on the road through the fall alongside Dove Award winners Hawk Nelson starting in September. To catch Britt on the road, visit www.brittnicole.com for a list of dates and venues on both tours.
In addition to her cross-country stops, Britt will take time out in July for a few intimate Disney Night of Joy promotional performances for radio personnel performing new renditions of her hitsfrom her debut album Say It and sophomore release The Lost Get Found. These particular arrangements can be found on Britt’s new acoustic EP, scheduled to release August 24, which features five of her most popular tracks and a new, never before released song.
Also coming this fall will be the debut Britt’s 3rd single off The Lost Get Found album, “Hanging On” scheduled to go to radio this fall. “Hanging On” is the follow-up to her current single “Walk On The Water,” which peaked at No. 1 on CHR, placed in the Top 20 at AC and most recently was heard on NBC’s The Biggest Loser.
With so much devastation in Nashville due to the recent flood disaster, many artists are joining together to help restore their community. Britt also jumped on board and recently performed at Brandon Heath’s 3rd Annual “Love Your Neighbor Benefit” held at Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, TN, alongside fellow artists Mike Donehey frontman of Tenth Avenue North, singer/songwriter Jason Ingram, Grammy winners Amy Grant and TobyMac and Grammy nominee Brandon Heath. With over 2,000 people in attendance and close to no standing room available, more than $61,000 was raised during this event in which all of the funds went towards rebuilding El Shaddai, a church that was demolished in the floods.
For more information on Britt Nicole, please visit www.brittnicole.com.
This past weekend, INO Records' Jonny Diaz and Curb Records' MIKESCHAIR joined with WAY-FM 88.7, a local non-profit called PeopleLovingPeople.com, and other artists to help the flood victims in Nashville and in its surrounding cities. This past weekend's event kicked off in Spring Hill for a multi-phase effort from the radio network.
This past Saturday from 10am to 2pm, WAY-FM took a break from its regular programming for a live four-hour broadcast at Spring Hill's Kroger on Port Royal Road. Both Diaz and MIKESCHAIR joined in to share not only their music with the crowds but to help the flood victims with donated goods.
88.7 WAY-FM’s Donna Cruz, host of the Mid-day Cruz, along with Operations Director Jeff Brown hosted the event. In addition to featuring several community leaders during the broadcast, Cruz and Brown asked residents to inventory their own garages for new and used sleeping bags and/or tents they may not otherwise need, as well as any hygiene-related items they may have, and bring them to the event.
The donations went to the local non-profit organization PeopleLovingPeople.org that directly benefits former residents of Nashville’s Tent City. Tent City is a community of homeless families living among one another along the Cumberland River, all of whom have been displaced due to the flooding.
WAY-FM's Brown said, “Everywhere you turn, people are being asked to donate to this event or to that cause. We felt most of us probably have items like tents and sleeping bags we haven’t used in a while just lying around collecting dust. That’s a bed and a roof for the people of Tent City. Now, they don’t even have that.”
During the 4-hour event, an astounding number of goods were collected. Families donated over 400 hygiene kits, 300 lbs. of canned food, 40 tents and sleeping bags, and 30 cases of water. In addition, $1000 was also collected in donations.
For more information about PeopleLovingPeople.org and about Jonny Diaz and MIKESCHAIR, please visit:
PeopleLovingPeople.org
JonnyDiaz.com
MIKESCHAIR.com
Curb Records' band MIKESCHAIR is proud to announce the digital release of Let The Waters Rise EP, available today. Featuring acoustic, instrumental and performance track versions of their current radio single, "Let the Waters Rise," the EP also includes two additional songs - the never-before released duet with Plumb for "Hold Me Now" and an extended mix of "Otherside." The EP is available now for only $3.99 at iTunes and for $4.95 at Amazon.com.
Let The Waters Rise EP song listing:
1. Let The Waters Rise (acoustic)
2. Hold Me Now (with Plumb)
3. Otherside (Ainslee Extended Mix)
4. Let The Waters Rise (Instrumental)
5. Let The Waters Rise (Performance Track)
The radio single for "Let The Waters Rise" continues to climb the AC charts. This week the tune is currently at #7 on Billboard's Christian AC and #12 on the Christian Overall charts, where the song is also the biggest spin gain for the week.
Next week the band will celebrate along with their peers at the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards, where the band is nominated for an astounding four awards. They are nominated for the top honor of Song of the Year with "Let The Waters Rise," and the song is also recognized in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year category. MIKESCHAIR's first hit single, "Can't Take Away," is nominated for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, while their self-titled album is up for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at Nashville's legendary Grand Ole Opry House, and will be televised nationwide on gmc (www.gmclife.com) Sunday, April 25th.
What is next for MIKESCHAIR? Fresh off the road from the WinterJam tour, the band is headed out on the United tour with Sanctus Real, along with Jonny Diaz and David Nasser. The tour, heading out the end of this month and going through May, supports Holt International. Visit United Tour 2010 for tickets and dates.
Holt International Children’s Services, the 54-year old Christian ministry reaching vulnerable and orphaned children around the world and the chief sponsor of Winter Jam, Christian music’s most successful annual tour; announced today their sponsorship of the much-anticipated UNITED Spring 2010 Tour featuring GRAMMY®-nominated, Dove Award-winning Sanctus Real with visionary speaker David Nasser and, not one but, two of this year’s Dove-nominated artists—MIKESCHAIR (for Song and Album of the Year) and Jonny Diaz (for New Artist of the Year).
Starting April 23 in Denver, CO the UNITED Spring 2010 Tour (www.unitedtour2010.com) will be traveling to cities across America playing in markets as diverse as Louisville, Tulsa, San Antonio, and Lubbock. Tickets in select markets went on sale this week, and fans are already responding positively. Specially priced VIP tickets available in most markets—admitting holders to a separate worship time with the tour’s artists—are being purchased quickly.
With Sanctus Real’s March 9 release of their fifth studio album, Pieces of a Real Heart, on Sparrow Records; radio programmers around the country have already made the first single from the project, “Forgiven,” a smash radio hit and the song continues to climb the charts. Interestingly, listeners are responding overwhelmingly to the song’s message of hope. In fact, when the band began streaming “Forgiven” from their website (www.sanctusreal.com) and asking listeners to share their own stories of forgiveness, literally hundreds of stories flowed in from all over the world. Sanctus Real’s lead vocalist Matt Hammitt explained, “I underestimated the power of forgiveness. I was expecting people to write ‘God is good, I am forgiven,’ which is a true statement of faith; but instead people began confessing their deepest, darkest secrets on the site, sending letters to others they needed forgiveness from or whom they needed to forgive. It’s amazing to see how God is using my own insignificant insecurities, failures, and fears to spark a song that is ministering to so many people needing forgiveness.”
David Nasser was only 9 years old when he escaped the bitter Iranian revolution with his family to begin a new life in the U.S. In the years that followed, David felt isolated and sought acceptance from his peers; turning to everything imaginable to fit in. Nothing worked. He still felt like an outsider. Finally, at the age of 18, Nasser found true acceptance, salvation, and purpose in a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Today, as one of the nation's leading speakers, David Nasser is blessed with the talent to reach America’s high tech, attention-lacking Generation Next culture. Involved in revivals, citywide rallies, camps, and school assemblies; he speaks to over 700,000 people each year. David is excited to be joining Sanctus Real in sharing God’s message of forgiveness during the UNITED Spring 2010 Tour.
MIKESCHAIR began in a freshman dorm room at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. where several guys began playing and writing songs together. Mike Grayson, the only one of the group of writers not living on the same floor, was given a special chair to signify his place in the group. He later named it ”Mike’s chair.” Thus the group, MIKESCHAIR, was born. Now as honorary “chair-man,” Grayson is lead singer, guitarist, and shares the name with fellow “chair-men;” Sam Tinnesz, lead guitar; Jesse Hale, violin and keyboards and Jon Haire, bass guitar. MIKESCHAIR received critical acclaim with their first recording on Curb Records and have been nominated for four Dove awards.
Being a musician wasn’t Jonny Diaz’ first choice professionally, especially growing up in the Diaz family. Jonny, like three of his brothers, was awarded a college baseball scholarship. After high school he headed off to Florida State University to play baseball, but soon felt led to put down his bat and glove and focus on his music. After several successful independent recordings, Jonny signed with INO Records and released More Beautiful You, his first major label project in 2009. Since then the album’s powerful first single, “More Beautiful You,” has taken off, and quickly become one of the most played and requested songs on Christian radio. With this success Jonny has had the opportunity to open in concert for some of Christian music’s biggest artists such as MercyMe and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Don’t miss the UNITED Spring 2010 Tour, presented by Holt International, with multi-talented Sanctus Real, David Nasser, MIKESCHAIR, and Jonny Diaz in a city near you. For more information go online at www.unitedtour2010.com, or visit www.itickets.com.
Nashville, TN - What a year for MIKESCHAIR! Their self-titled debut project, which released just last summer from Curb Records has not only delivered some major radio hits but now it's delivered award nominations. MIKESCHAIR has been nominated an astounding four times by the voting members of the Gospel Music Assocation for the upcoming 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. Recognized for the top honor of Song of the Year with "Let The Waters Rise," the song is also acknowledged in the Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year category. The band's first hit single, "Can't Take Away," is nominated for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, while the album is up for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.
The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at Nashville's legendary Grand Ole Opry House, and will be televised nationwide on gmc (www.gmclife.com) Sunday, April 25th.
Since their self-titled project released on July 14th, MIKESCHAIR - Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jesse Hale, Jon Haire - are so honored to be recognized by their peers and the industry as a whole.
Bassist Jon Haire explains, "“Being the one guy in MIKESCHAIR that has grown up in Nashville, the Doves have always been an exciting time of year for me to watch my parent’s friends and musical influences receive recognition for their achievements. I am just blown away that I too now have an opportunity to experience such a wonderful thing. God has once again connected a dream of mine to a calling of His, and for that reason alone I am honored and humbled.”
"Dove Nominations are something we definitely didn't expect at all," lead vocalist Mike Grayson adds. "We already feel so blessed just to be nominated!"
"God has been really doing some incredible things this year in our lives and in our ministry," Sam Tinnesz, lead guitarist shares. "He has protected us in some of the most dangerous moments and also really encouraged us by opening doors that we could never open by ourselves. Being nominated for a Dove is truly an honor."
The music of MIKESCHAIR was also recently recognized by the performing rights organization SESAC. Held at the the famed Loveless Cafe and Barn in Nashville earlier this month, both songs "Can't Take Away" and "Let The Waters Rise" were acknowledged at SESAC's Christian Awards, which honors songwriters and the hit songs that topped Billboard's Christian charts in 2009. A photo from the awards presentation is below.
MIKESCHAIR is a band well-known for infectious songs that inspire action to change the world through love. The group, also known for their humanitarian efforts, specifically with mikestable, visited Peru this past December with Tampa's JOY-FM in support of Buckner International's "Shoes for Orphaned Souls" program (www.buckner.org), where thousands of shoes were donated to orphaned children of Peru, South America.
Partnering with organizations and utilizing mikestable at many of their shows, it is the band's hope for people to be aware of what's going on in the world in terms of need, to give them empowerment, while also give options. Audiences are welcomed to visit mikestable, which is dedicated to offering information for various causes such as Food for the Hungry, IJM, Love 146 and much more.
MIKESCHAIR is currently touring on WINTERBLAST 2010 with Building 429, Britt Nicole and Chris And Conrad. The band will join the last leg of Winter Jam 2010 starting in mid-March where they will hit such markets as Little Rock, AR, Shreveport, LA, and Grand Rapids, MI. Visit www.MIKESCHAIR.com for the most updated tour schedule, especially for more concert dates being added for the spring and summer.
(Nashville, TN - Nov. 10, 2009) - Even though Curb Records' MIKESCHAIR is thrilled to officially release their first-ever music video, "Let The Waters Rise," they are glad the video shoot is over. For those of us who spend time watching music videos instead of creating them, we don't have any idea of the effort it takes to actually make one. Here's MIKESCHAIR's story.
Their unique video was shot on the Pacific Ocean coast among the beautiful scenery of Cape Kiwanda located in Pacific City, Oregon. With the coast and sand dunes as their backdrop, MIKESCHAIR - Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jesse Hale and Jon Haire - immensely enjoyed their first video experience. Although, during the one-day shoot the filming became more than expected due to the intensity of the blaring sun, long treks up and down the vertical sand dunes, as well as the sandstone cliffs birthing gusty winds of sand. The guys laugh about it now, even more so as they continue to find sand creviced in their clothes and bags, and the video was filmed a few weeks ago!
There is no question that filming on the coast, with the dunes, a gorge, and the amazing sunset as the backdrop made the whole shoot worthwhile. The beach town of Pacific City has been known for over a hundred years as a quaint fishing village and vacation destination, a unique geographical and geological area located between Tillamook and Lincoln City, found on the south end of beautiful "3 Capes Scenic Drive." Click here to view the finished version of this scenic video: http://www.hearitfirst.com/mikeschair .
"The Oregon coast has some of the most breathtaking scenery and definitely displays some of God's most beautiful creations," commented MIKESCHAIR guitarist Sam Tinnesz. "We had a great time making the video...especially climbing up and down mountains to get to different locations you see in the video."
Lead vocalist, Mike Grayson agreed stating, "The location where we shot the video was so overwhelmingly beautiful that it was impossible not to see God's hands everywhere. After seeing the finished video it is clear that God definitely stole the show!"
The video was helmed by Eric Welch, founder and director for Broken Poet Productions. Welch has also directed videos for Brandon Heath, MercyMe, Jars of Clay, Toby Mac, and many more. Aristo Media is set to head up the video's distribution.
"Let The Waters Rise" is quickly climbing the CHR, Christian (Overall), AC Monitored and AC Indicator charts, proving to be a powerful record touching both programmers and their listeners. This is the group's second single off their self-titled debut project, released on Curb Records July 14th.
On the touring front, MIKESCHAIR continues on the road with Lecrae, After Edmund, as well as with Sho Baraka for "The Altered Minds Tour," a unique showcase displaying a variety of music from rock, pop and rap. The tour, which started in Harrington, DE in October and will conclude in Denton, TX the weekend before Thanksgiving, was put together to represent the unity within the body of Christ. MIKESCHAIR is also set to appear on the Winter Jam Tour next year. For more more information and the latest tour dates, please visit www.MIKESCHAIR.com.
Nashville, TN - October 6, 2009 - It's been a while since we've heard from Curb Records band MIKESCHAIR. No, they aren't taking any time off - they've actually been quite the active rock band. With their second radio tune on its way up the charts, with playing on one of the most unique tours out this fall, and with helping donate shoes to well over 7,000 children, yes, MIKESCHAIR hasn't had time to sit.
According to the radio charts, the band's second radio single, "Let The Waters Rise," has grabbed the #1 spot on Christian AC's New & Active chart, with a #25 spot on the Christian (Overall) chart. The song, the follow up to MIKESCHAIR's debut top 5 single, "Can't Take Away," is also the highest debut this week on Billboard's Top 50 Christian (Overall) chart. "Let The Waters Rise" has also broken into the Top 50 songs on iTunes' Christian & Gospel chart.
MIKESCHAIR, a band well-known for their humanitarian efforts, specifically with mikestable, have partnered with The JOY-FM in support of Buckner International. Along with Carmen Brown, part of JOY FM's Morning Cruise team (www.thejoyfm.com), the greater Tampa/Sarasota-area radio station listeners were challenged to donate shoes for Buckner International's "Shoes for Orphaned Souls" program (www.buckner.org) at designated locations in the southwest and central areas of Florida. The shoes are then to be donated to orphaned children of the country of Peru, South America. This December, the band, along with Brown, are heading down to Peru to give these donated shoes directly to the children and place them on their feet. To date, they've already collected 7,409 shoes!
"When selecting a band to take with me for the Shoes for Peru trip this year, it was a no-brainer to extend the invitation to MIKESCHAIR," claims Carmen Brown of The JOY FM. "Their hearts are right in line with this outreach and The JOY FM. I'm looking forward serving alongside them as we deliver over 7,400 pairs of shoes!"
MIKESCHAIR's lead vocalist, Mike Grayson, adds "I can't even begin to explain how excited and blessed we are to be going to Peru with The JOY FM. I have prayed a long time for an opportunity like this for the band. Moments like this are why we do what we do. We are so humbled to be a part of what God is doing through Buckner International."
Partnering with organizations such as Buckner International and utilizing mikestable at many of their shows, it is the band's hope for people to be aware of what's going on in the world in terms of need, to give them empowerment, while also give options. Audiences are welcomed to visit mikestable that is dedicated to offering information for various causes such as Food for the Hungry, IJM, Love 146 and much more.
MIKESCHAIR is currently on "The Altered Minds Tour" with Lecrae and After Edmund, a unique tour displaying a variety of music from rock, rap and pop. The tour, which has already garnered two sell-out shows, was put together to represent the unity within the body of Christ.
On behalf of MIKESCHAIR, Sam Tinnesz, the lead guitarist for the band, says "We are so thankful to even say that we are associated with The Altered Minds Tour and the men of God that make up the artists and crew. Everyone involved has checked their egos at the door to truly serve God and unabashedly share the Gospel."
The tour is scheduled to run through the end of November. Tour dates are listed below, but for the most updated tour information, visit: www.MIKESCHAIR.com.
Just announced, the band has also been endorsed with Sennheiser. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is the acknowledged world leader in microphone technology, RF-wireless and infrared sound transmission, headphone transducer technology, and in the development of active noise-cancellation.
It's been said that the music of MIKESCHAIR demands attention; that it entertains as well as inspires those who listen. You already know this if you've heard their top 5 hit single, "Can't Take Away," which is being played on radio stations nationwide, or if you have your very own copy of their self-titled CD just released today from Curb Records. No matter what, these talented four young men - Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jesse Hale, and Jon Haire - agree in stating that their music inspires action to change the world through love.
Along those lines, here are just some of the reviews from those who have been inspired by MIKESCHAIR:
"...considering this disc's excellent production, accessible slick rock and maturing ability, the young band has honed a formula for success that shows no sign of failing." - CCMmagazine.com
"...a very good debut...by a promising new band...In the past couple of years, Rush of Fools, Tenth Avenue North and Fee have made a big impact as new bands on the Christian music scene, all having been nominated for best new artist and I expect a similar outcome for MIKESCHAIR. This whole album is very encouraging and always stays true to themes of hope, faithfulness and praise to our Great God!" - ChristianMusicReview.com
"The upbeat songs are catchy and...exciting, and the slow songs give you time to sit back and relax and just enjoy some decent music. There are also lyrics that rank higher than most of what you hear on pop radio, which is really what this genre needs these days." - JesusFreakHideout.com
MIKESCHAIR is spreading their message by spending street week on a promo tour, taking them to major markets such as Dallas, Tulsa and Tampa. The band has already appeared on CBN News Channel's New Release Tuesday/CBN News Tonight segment and have taped a performance and interview for CBN's "One-Cubed," set to air in the coming weeks. In addition, first day album sales have already dipped into the top 10 for iTunes' Christian/Gospel album downloads, while MIKESCHAIR has also been featured at NewReleaseTuesday.com as well as at HearItFirst.com. The band is set to appear in future issues of Christian Retailing, Encounter, and more.
Nashville, TN - June 4, 2009 - According to their bio, the sound of MIKESCHAIR demands attention. It also claims that their upcoming debut, the self-titled project bows July 14th (Curb Records), sets out to entertain as well as inspire those who listen. If you have already heard their new hit radio single, "Can't Take Away," you'd agree. If you haven't heard it yet, when you do, there's no question you will be entertained and quickly inspired.
This is because the men of MIKESCHAIR - Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jesse Hale, Jon Haire - like to contend that their music inspires action to change the world through love. Hailing from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, this quartet's blend of soulful rock guitars and bass grooves, violin and electronic textures tagged with catchy pop sing-along choruses, undoubtedly compels the listener to step up emotionally and spiritually.
Inquiring minds want to know, what's in the name?
Yes, there really is a chair involved, and yes, it was Mike's. "The 'chair' was the central gathering point where we got our start," explains Sam, the band's lead guitarist. As freshmen at Belmont, "All of us lived on the same floor of our dorm except for Mike. Since he was always hanging out with us on our floor, we decided to get him piece of furniture to make him feel a little more at home. The chair was his only piece of property on our floor." Mike wrote his name on that chair in big letters and it soon became his place of inspiration for songwriting and creative flow. The band name "is a reminder of our humble beginnings and how far God has brought us," explains Sam.
MIKESCHAIR - The 411
Even though they grew up in different parts of the U.S. and met at Belmont, each member of MIKESCHAIR has been inspired by music since they were children. Jon picked up the bass guitar in seventh grade, while Mike found his musical passion during his sixth grade year, eventually leading him to be a youth worship leader at his home church. Sam doesn't remember when music wasn't part of his life, and Jesse began training on classical violin at the age of four, thus honing his other musical skills showcased in MIKESCHAIR such as keys, synthesizers, and programming.
After a successful performance at Belmont University's Christian Music Showcase held during their freshmen year, the band cultivated their performing and songwriting skills and by the fall of their senior year, MIKESCHAIR signed with Curb Records. Not long after obtaining their record deal, they each earned their degrees from the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont.
MIKESCHAIR immediately plunged into full-time touring and songwriting, all preparation for their debut project out next month. Produced by the award-winning team of Jason Ingram and Rusty Varenkamp (Bebo Norman, Tenth Avenue North), with the exception of "Otherside" produced by Sean Neff, the result is notable and catchy songs that balance service, worship and entertainment. One such tune is the debut single, "Can't Take Away," quickly climbing up the charts and currently #7 at R&R's CHR chart.
Consistently on the road, MIKESCHAIR performs at a variety of churches, venues, festivals and youth camps. They have opened for acts such as Brandon Heath, Jeremy Camp, Jars of Clay, and MercyMe along the way.
mikestable
At every show, the group offers audiences to visit mikestable, a table dedicated to offering information for various causes, such as Food for the Hungry, IJM, Love 146 and more. It is their hope for people to be aware of what's going on in the world in terms of need, to give them empowerment, yet also give options. "The music isn't the full extent of our purpose," Jesse explains. "We are committing our time, effort and platform to helping those in need -- making ourselves available to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We're presenting something that's very precious to audiences and listeners. It's the Gospel in action."
In addition to their partnerships, it's the band's mission to invite everyone to bring a non-perishable food item to their shows, where every donated food item is then taken to local food banks and church outreach programs. This venture, which has actually been underway for a few years now, is continuing to grow as more items are donated at each concert (see photos below).
"Our prayer is that people will leave our shows, not with a sense of how awesome the music is, but with a deeper sense of searching and begin asking questions that they weren't asking when they showed up," concludes Mike.
MikesChair is offering a free download on their
myspace page of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
