Americana singer/songwriter Mike Graham draws on folk, country, and soul influences to craft songs that bring tears and smiles in equal measure. His powerful, emotive voice is equal parts warm blanket and sledgehammer.
In 2024, Mike took a stack of new of songs into Jumping Dog Studio to record "The Innocence We've Lost" with Walt Wilkins and Ron Flynt producing. Released August 9, 2024, this album contains 11 songs about struggle, frustration, humanity, love, grace, and hard work. The moods range from thoughtful singer/songwriter ("The Grace" and John Inmon's "Goodbye Easy Street") to solid country gold ("Easy on The Whiskey"), to storyteller ("The Party", "Mysterious Ways"). Many tracks deal with the frustrating current state of the world ("Had Enough", "Gone Forever", "The Problem Is Us", "This Is My Tribe"). This is Mike's first full-length studio album in 20 years and the perspective and maturity gained in that time are on full display.
Starting in the late '90s, Mike played just about every club, honky-tonk, festival, flatbed trailer, and wide spot in the road in Texas and beyond for almost a decade. He followed in the footsteps and on the coattails of powerhouses like Jack Ingram, Pat Green, Charlie Robison and Reckless Kelly -- sharing stages with them all -- as well as icons like Willie Nelson, Gary P. Nunn, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Steven Fromholz.
Then in 2006, Mike walked away from the music business to focus on his new family and to generally learn how to be a grown-up.
It only took a global pandemic to get him writing songs and making music again. In 2020, Mike released a seven song EP "Sunset/Sunrise". The self-explanatory first track is titled "Good to be Back". Started during the height of the COVID outbreak, all of the tracks were recorded remotely from home studios, home offices, and living rooms. The songs are a reflection of what kind of artist Mike always wanted to be. More songwriter and storyteller, less honky-tonk beer salesman.
In 2023, Mike started a monthly residency at The Post at River East in Fort Worth. This year-long series allowed him to share the stage with some of his friends and favorite songwriters like Zac Wilkerson, Noel McKay, Kelley Mickwee, Ryan Culwell, Owen Temple, Tommy Alverson, Davin James, Larry Joe Taylor, and Charlie Shafter. He's also recently performed with some of his other talented friends including Walt Wilkins, Max and Heather Stalling, Matt Hillyer, Courtney Patton, Jamie Lin Wilson, Michael Hearne, Jed Zimmerman, and Jason Eady.
Born and raised in untamed West Texas oilfields and flatlands, Mike's music is a reflection of the energy and spirit of his roots. It's not surprising that his debut album (1999) was titled "Just West of Nowhere".
Mike recorded two more well-received albums in the early 2000s: "Find You a Highway" (2001) and "Bad Ideas" (2004) received significant airplay on Texas and satellite radio.
Mike is back. Writing songs. Performing far and wide. Come along for the ride.
“Mike Graham is a good man, a soulful singer, and an observant songwriter. He's got a keen eye for the details that lead you to the heart of the matter. His songs are filled with down-to-earth poetry and you can hear the West Texas – the big sky and grit – in his voice and his lyrics.” - Owen Temple
“I’ve been a fan of Mike Graham since I discovered him in college. He always seemed so cool and had the smoothest voice. He stepped away from music professionally for a long time, and I was so glad to hear from him when the world shut down when he started making music again. It was fun having him as a regular on our Sequestered Songwriters livestreams each week. I’m so glad to hear Mike putting out new music. His writing is great, his voice is still smooth, and I’m honored to have gotten to sing harmony on one of these new tunes!” – Courtney Patton
“If Mr. Graham didn’t know already, I hope he sees himself now as among the top tier of Texas songwriters. Every song on this record hits home – songs about life, work, loss, desperation and redemption. The Innocence We’ve Lost is a grown-up record all the way through. Mike’s not afraid to address cultural issues head-on and he does so with honesty and grace. Mike’s voice has always been one of my favorites and now his songs are too.” - Walt Wilkins
