Mike Handley, Troubadour
Tampa, Florida, United States | SELF
Bio
Mike Handley, Troubadour
Mike was born and raised in Tampa, is a fourth generation Floridian, and still lives in Tampa. When Mike travels he tries to perform wherever he goes. He gets giggles, chuckles, and guffaws every time he performs. Sometimes they laugh with him, sometimes at him, it's all good
Mike grew up in a home filled with music; of course, that music was Spike Jones, Ray Stevens, Alan Sherman, Smother's Brothers, Hee Haw, and Roger Miller. Dad was a swing band drummer. Grandpa played C Melody sax, dulcimer, keyboards, and built a few various stringed instruments too.
Mike started in music at 12 with clarinet, taking lessons from Junie Ferrell, Artie Shaw's alto man, through high school. As a bribe every other week was a guitar lesson.
The first half of the 70's was US Navy.
The second half was getting a good solid foundation in rhythm at the many Florida Bluegrass festivals.
5 year stint in the SPEBSQSA ( barbershop chorus)
In recent years has played Florida Folk Festival, South Florida Folk Festival, Barberville and Will McLean festival, among others.
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