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Mike Farris
September 6, 2019 @ 8:00 pm
Mike Farris at The Franklin Theatre in Downtown Franklin
As the lead singer of Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies during the Nineties, Mike Farris fell victim to the excesses of a rock & roll lifestyle, having been a drug addict and alcoholic since he was a teenager. Eventually, he shifted gears into soul music and committed himself to getting sober. It worked: in 2015, he scooped up the GRAMMY for Best Roots Gospel Album for Shine for All the People.
His latest album, Silver & Stone, finds Farris returning to his soul, R&B and rock roots, with a collection of songs aided in the studio by legendary drummer Gene Chrisman, Reese Wymans (Double Trouble), Doug Lancio (Patti Griffin) and Joe Bonamassa, among others. The album’s title refers to his wife Julie’s wedding ring, and the album is a celebration of their 23 years of marriage and her steadfastness in sticking by him through his years struggling with addiction and alcoholism.
Silver & Stone has been lauded by NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and more; Mike’s live shows are where he really shines, with soulful vocal delivery reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. The album features an amazing group of players putting their modern spin on classic grooves and progressions, bringing to mind the classic Stax Records sound. Among the album’s many standout moments is Joe Bonamassa’s searing solo on “Movin’ Me” (Bonamassa became a fan and friend while opening for Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies in the 90’s).