“There aren’t many current male singers who use their voices to soar, float and deliver material with the spiritual commitment of Mike Farris..”
Hal Horowitz,
American Songwriter Magazine

“Golden Wings”
Official Music Video


“Silver & Stone”

Available now on Compass Records


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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

Surely, there are few artists whose persona belies their music more than Mike. Out of this diminutive, self-described southern boy comes an extraordinary soulful voice with a range, talent, and emotions that make him seem possessed.”

TERRY STEWART PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME + MUSEUM

“Mike Farris has enough heart, soul, and power to light up a city. He mixes up the elements and turns them into something new, beautiful, and uniquely his own.”

- BUDDY MILLER

“Mike Farris sings blue-eyed soul to soothe the spirit.”

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

“Never have I had so many people pitching me on an artist, and not I’m not talking just his people. Retailers, TV executives, other journalists and a array of music-loving folks have called or e-mailed or shoved a CD in my hand…”

- BILLBOARD

“Mike Farris is a soul man…way cool! When I saw him on TV the first time, even though I didn’t know who he was, I thought he was a star. When I heard his record, I knew he was.”

- MARTY STUART

“Out of the arms of defeat Mike Farris has done a victory lap….He takes people who are hurting, who are broken, who think they are alone and through just the sound of his voice he lets them know that they’re not…that’s magic.”

- MARY GAUTHIER

“Farris’ voice has moved unexpectedly higher – and stronger – and melds seamlessly with his female backup singers.”

- NO DEPRESSION

“Farris surrounds himself with a heavenly soundtrack that slides effortlessly between Stax soul, New Orleans gospel and shuffling Southern blues, all of it punctuated with Farris’ smoldering vocals and clear message of redemption.”

- HARP

“If Mike Farris were the one on television at 4am instead of those clowns that speak in tongues that translates into “send me money” then I believe we’d have a lot more souls saved in this world!!!!!! He’s phenomenal! That voice. That soul. Those songs. Good God, man!”

- JACK INGRAM

“Ranging from straight-on gospel to blues and Stax-style soul, the record is grounded in Farris’ faith and his sublime musicianship”

- POPMATTERS (FOR SHOUT! LIVE)

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About Mike Farris

Coming off of an incredible GRAMMY win for 2015’s SHINE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE (Best Roots Gospel album), Nashville rocker Mike Farris keeps it earthy and personal on SILVER & STONE, out September 7 on Compass Records. The 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. Now sober for 7 years, Farris has the energy and conviction of a man saved, a stack of anecdotes and life experiences that would make most people’s heads spin, and a soulful vocal delivery reminiscent of Sam Cooke or Otis ReddingSILVER & STONE isn’t a “gospel” album by any means, but Farris still takes us to church on these 12 engaging tracks, including a cover of Bill Withers’ “Hope She’ll be Happier.” 

Produced at Compass Sound Studio (AKA “Hillbilly Central” – the birthplace of Outlaw Country) in Nashville by Compass Records co-founder, Garry WestSILVER & STONE finds Farris imbuing his songs with a vibey, lighthearted feel, returning to his roots as a rocker and soul singer. The album weaves through the traditions of American music the way that Tennessee born and bred Farris has done expertly throughout his 25-year career, starting with his major label band, Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies.

Sonically, SILVER & STONE’s warm organic sound and stellar playing recalls the cream of the Stax Records’ catalog. The album opener and Farris original, "Tennessee Girl,” seguing into “Are You Lonely For Me Baby?” and “Can I Get a Witness,” are loose and groove-driven, hitting all the right notes of soul,  and  blues with an effortlessness that shows what a natural Farris is for this sound. 

The studio band includes famed “Memphis Boy” Gene Chrisman (Dusty Springfield, Elvis Presley, Dan Auerbach) sharing drum duties with Derrek Phillips (Robben Ford, Hank Williams Jr.), keyboardists Reese Wynans (Joe Bonamassa, Double Trouble) and long-time Farris collaborator Paul Brown (Waterboys, Ann Peebles), guitarists Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt), Rob McNelly (Delbert McClinton) and George Marinelli (Bonnie Raitt) with Steve Mackey (Wallflowers, Delbert McClinton) and producer West splitting bass duties. Farris is quick to credit the crew in the band for putting their modern spin on classic grooves and progressions.  The band was given just enough structure so they could add their own flavor. 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).

Melding the spiritual and the earthly, Farris says the album is about “reaching something better without actually trying.” This sentiment drives the Farris-penned composition, “Golden Wings”, written for his son, Christian, at “a pivotal point in his life, with so many options in front of him. That feeling of ‘Where am I supposed to be?’” 

Farris told Rolling Stone Country. "It's one of those songs that just flowed out after I did an exercise where you write a letter to your younger self. It has a dual message— something to say to a young person who is looking for answers, but also a reminder to myself to be free and open to the possibilities of life."

Another Farris composition, “When Mavis Sings,” hits equally close to his heart. Over his years as a performer, he’s had the privilege of becoming close to legendary singer and gospel icon Mavis Staples.  He says, “Mavis is everything you want your heroes to be.” Julie Farris elaborates, “She calls him ‘Mikey’.”  The song is actually a history lesson on Mavis' life, as it's completely comprised of literal tidbits of her life.  

“I wanted to explore that upbringing, being in that neighborhood with all of these luminaries and absorbing that music,” he says. “It was exciting to watch all the pieces come together and fit lyrically.”

The album closes with “I’ll Come Running Back To You,” an acknowledgment of the surrender intrinsic in love by accepting the kind of love that conquers shame and self-doubt.  Where the narrator of this song is losing his identity in service of unrequited love, for Farris, it’s quite the opposite—it’s relinquishing a vision of identity that needs to be served by attention or self-medication and instead takes root and grows through love.

“It’s the most essential, yet most difficult, part of faith,” Farris says.  “Remembering to open up and allow the universe to have its way with you and your gifts. Be open and free to the possibilities of life.”

"Modern soul at its most potent and nostalgia-free"  The Nashville Scene

 “Mike Farris has enough heart, soul, and power to light up a city. He mixes up the elements and turns them into something new, beautiful, and uniquely his own.” — Buddy Miller

 "Country and gospel music is in dire need of some pure heartfelt soul right now.  He's like a secret weapon — he's loaded with soul."  — Marty Stuart (Rolling Stone Country) 

"With a supersized voice filled with the electricity of Saturday night and the godly grace of Sunday mornings ." — Rolling Stone Country

Discography

  • Goodnight Sun (2002) Independent
  • Salvation In Lights (2007) INO/Columbia Records
  • SHOUT! Live (2009) INO/Columbia Records
  • Live From Westlake Studio B EP (2009) INO/Columbia Records
  • The Night The Cumberland Came Alive EP (2010) eOne Music
  • Shine For All The People (2014) Compass Records
  • Silver & Stone (2018) Compass Records

Awards

  • 2008 Americana Music Association's New / Emerging Artist of the Year Award
  • 2010 GMA Dove Award - Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for SHOUT! Live
  • 2015 GRAMMY Award - Best Roots Gospel Album for Shine For All The People

Notable

  • 2010 Featured performer on Patty Griffin's Grammy winning Downtown Church. Also appeared with Patty Griffin on Austin City Limits Taping
  • 2011 Featured performer at Rock And Roll Hall of Fame's 16th Annual American Music Masters Concert honoring Aretha Franklin
  • 2013 TEDx Nashville
  • 2014 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame special with Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Double Trouble
  • 2018 Grand Ole Opry Debut

 

 

Mike Farris Contacts

General Information Management: Leadership Artists, LLC / Brian Smith leadershipartists@gmail.com Booking information Brian Smith, Leadership Artists, LLC / 770-313-3576 leadershipartists@gmail.com Press Kit View Press Kit  

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