Monthly Feature

Mike Mitchell

Mike Mitchell helping to promote music traditions....

Educated at the Royal conservatory of Music in Ontario, Canada, Mike Mitchell began playing the violin at the age of five.  His passion for music led him to a string performance major at Youngstown State University, and more than 10 years of national touring with rock and acoustic ensembles.  

Currently Mike performs with the acclaimed mountain music group, Blue Moonshine.  He lives in Floyd, Virginia with his wife and two children.

Mike is the founder of Floyd Music School, currently located upstairs in the Floyd Country Store.

For a current performance schedule, booking inquires or if you are interested in violin, guitar, mandolin or banjo lesson call: 540-745-6271

Mike telling the history of the violin to a group of students from Willis and Indian Valley Elementary Schools.

Big windows give Mike a view of the scene below.  Mike's music studio has had no trouble attracting students "By and large we teach music to people who want to play bluegrass", he says.  But, there are also students who play in the Roanoke Youth Orchestra and with Blacksburg Community Strings.  "Everyone learns to read and write music. That way they can learn to play any style they like."  Mike's philosophy is you're never too old or young to learn.  "I've taught people in their 60's and 70's to play fiddle...to play for church....to play in a parking lot for bluegrass concerts."  Mike has always kept a few students.  As he puts it, "all musicians carry a few students, even if they are family members.  We call it al the relative knee."  There are only a few such places that have a type of music native to their regions.  Mike says he is part of a "bigger effort" in carrying on the music tradition in this area.

Floyd county has a lot of claims to greatness.  Floyd County per capita has probably more instrument builders in North America...at least certainly more in the Blue Ridge Plateau. (Courtesy of the Floyd Press)

Josh Underwood and Mike playing progressive Bluegrass

Mike with one of his many students,  Karlee Pendleton

Mike gives a lot of his time and effort to help educate the children of Floyd county about the different types and styles of music.  He and Tina Liza Jones perform for the students of Willis and Indian Valley Elementary Schools.  They also gave them the history of the banjo, fiddle and guitar in lecture and song.

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If you are interested in a CD of "Stanley Lorton The 84th Year With Friends" contact the Reece Family at 540-789-7645 or Stanley Lorton at 540-789-4556

Highway South and Friends

Ward Reece, Sandra Reece, Melinda R. Kenny, Eric Reece and Stanley Lorton

"If you are interested in a cassette of Eldon Gardner playing some old standards contact him at 276-398-2276."

Melvin, Dea and Friends

Marie Gallimore and Anna Bell Primm

The Kitchen Band

Jeff Sebens and Friends

Stu Shenk and Stanley Widner

"HIGHWAY SOUTH"

Maggie and Bill Anderson

Their latest CD "Going Home to the Fold" is available:

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