Mike Aiken

It's two in a row for Aspirion/Northwind Records' Mike Aiken as his new single "Jagger & Jones" lands on the Music Row Chart at #73.. This comes on the heels of the successful "Bottoms Up", which reached 68 on the industry radio chart. Both songs are from Mike's current CD Hula Girl Highway.

"Like most people, I grew up on country, rock n' roll, blues you name it," says Aiken. "Jagger & Jones" reflects that. Each verse is full of heart and truth and tells the story of someone I met while on the road. I've logged many miles on land and sea and like to mix it up. I find most people like all kinds of music, as long as it's good. "

Like it's predecessor, Hula Girl Highway is filled with Mike's originals and a few select covers of his favorite songwriters. Mike continues to pick and sing his mix of country, country-rock, swing and roots to tell his stories, many of which pay homage to his home, the sea.



Mike Aiken brings his rum bus in from the road to host Music Row during CRS 2010.
Mike climbs in and the only seat left is on the floor!

Rear: Paul Sullivan - WOKA; Center (l-r): Amy Aiken- Northwind Records, Russ Ocker - KMGO, Ray Turner - WCMS, Piper Kelly - WCMS; Front l-r): Mike Aiken, J. Brooks - KSMA, Arnie Andrews - WCOW, "Stick" - origin unknown (but he's smiling!)
Mike also just wrapped up a very successful Country Radio Seminar where once again his Rum Bus was a big hit. He's now back on the road in support of Hula Girl Highway. Meanwhile the popular fifth annual Smithfield Music's Aiken's & Friends Festival in Virginia has been set for October 1-2, 2010.
For information go to www.aikenandfriendsfest.com - The Jayne Gang

One sheet summary of Mike Aiken for print. - Northwind Records

Singer-songwriter-musician and sailor, Mike Aiken is launching 2009 with an appearance at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Conference January 9-12, 2009 at the New York Hilton. The event brings top talent together with talent buyers from around the country.
For those attending the conference Aiken will be performing two shows Sunday the 11th in the Lincoln Suite at 3:50 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. Aiken is represented by Producers Inc who also handles CeCe Winans, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Roger Williams among others.
Aiken's brand of Caribbean flavored roots rock is a popular draw at performing arts venues and festivals. He is even the host of his own, Aiken and Friends Fest an Americana roots music festival in Smithfield, Virginia which features top names and draws in big crowds to the seaside town every year in October.
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Mike became a musical voice to be listened to with his 2007 Aspirion/ Northwind record, Just Add Salt.
Last summer he released his sophomore record, Hula Girl Highway and ended 2008 on a high note spending December on a tour of the Netherlands, France and Belgium playing shows and conducting print and radio interviews.
Aiken's blend of roots-rock- Americana brand of country music, along with his stellar musicianship and songs about his sea-faring life hit the right chord with listeners across the pond. Hula Girl Highway, received airplay on more than 40 European stations and landed in the top 50 (Italy) and top 100 (Australia) Americana Records of the year.
This was his second tour through Europe. Highlights included a spur of the moment concert in Hechtel, Belgium. "It was one of the most touching and memorable events ever," says Aiken. "It was a put together on short notice by our "biggest fan" in Belgium as a brain cancer research benefit in honor of her late brother-in-law. It was held on their St. Nicholas day. Everyone showed up from families, to teachers, radio djs and even priests. Some folks couldn't understand English, but it didn't seem to matter. It just goes to show you that music is the international language."
While Aiken, who makes his life aboard his 42-foot cutter may be comfortable circumnavigating the globe, Europe's roundabouts proved a little more challenging. "The last tour we averaged two times around until we figured out the right street," laughs Aiken. "This time we were smarter and had an extra "crew member" (a GPS), in the car to help with navigation. While she was spot on with directions, her pronunciation of the streets was a hoot. Great for comic relief." - The Jayne Gang

Aiken displayed a wicked sense of guitar playing teamed with tight vocals which made it appear like there was more than just a solo-guitarist on the stage. When watching and hearing Aiken play live, one gets the idea that he isn't just singing his songs, but reliving the experiences they're about. - Barry Graham - Entertainment Chair

Mike Aiken and his band sailed into the Smithfield Little Theatre and took the audience on a musical excursion that would convince even the most steadfast landlubber that if they went out and got a sailboat and a guitar that the world would be a better place. And according to Mike and lucky audience member, Jo Fowler, you might as well make that guitar a Takamine. Jo was the winner of the guitar donated by Takamine (one of Mike Aiken’s sponsors) that was raffled off that night.

It was a great night for music as Mike performed 2 sets offering everything from upbeat original blues songs to traditional sea songs but with a flavor that made the songs seem the band’s own. Tight harmonies were presented all through the night and the audience showed their appreciation after each song which just seemed to get the band to give more of themselves all to the crowd’s delight. Mike shared a number of background stories that gave the audience an insight into the songs that you can only get from a live performance. As the night progressed a relationship evolved that translated to a joyful experience for both the audience and the artists.

Each member of the band did an outstanding job and it was quickly evident that this band enjoyed what it was doing which made it a real treat for the audience. Amy Aiken on vocals and percussion was also a pretty good story teller of her own as she made sure that the crowd knew something about each member of the band before the night was over. Mark, on harmonica, Ben, on bass, and Jeff on drums, percussion and vocals made the stage alive with a full sound eagerly accepted by their new and old fans.

After two encores the musical adventure docked and the theatre voiced its hope for a return journey in the future.
- Smithfield Music

What The Critics Are Saying…
"Where Aiken’s national debut album introduced him to the country music world, Hula Girl Highway is sure to place him on Nashville’s inner-loop radar. His best songwriting to date."
- Jeff Maisey, Port Folio Weekly, July ‘08

”Mike is something of a floating John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder.”
- Charles Doane, Sail Magazine

“Aiken’s tropical country music is reminiscent of the young Jimmy Buffett, when the Parrothead thing was new, fresh and not yet a parody of itself.” ***
- Mike Regenstreif, Montreal Gazette Aug. ‘08

“Country music with drive and a swagger!”
- Maverick Magazine

“Hula Girl Highway is a showcase of Mike’s very genuine, unpretentious and laid-back style. He can roam from allman-ized Country, to Buffett-ized pop and Texas Swing, without skipping a beat or losing energy.”
- Robert Lindquist, Singer Magazine

"The songs are so packed with images of the sand and sea, you could get a tan just listening..."
- Paul Shugrue, WHRV 89.5 FM, Norfolk, VA

“Mike’s new CD gets it’s rock and roll straight from the ocean swells. His lyrics are soaked in maritime imagery and tiki bar rhythms.”
- Jane Meneely, Chesapeake Bay Magazine
*******************************************************************************
What Presenters Are Saying…

“Not only was the audience treated to a great show but the professionalism displayed in making the necessary arrangements before the show as far as booking, stage requirements, sound checks etc. made the whole event a treat for Smithfield Music to present. Mike will certainly be one of the artists we try to bring back.
As an artist on stage, Mike quickly endears himself to the audience and keeps their attention for the entire show, offering insights into the songwriter’s mind as he explained his music which kept the audience wanting more.”
-Jim Abicht, Director, Smithfield Music

“As the booking agency and responsible agent of record for the Tenth Annual Snapple Sunset Music Festival in Newport, RI, I would like to thank you for your help and support on our Bruce Hornsby Date.
You are a true crowd pleaser, as was evidenced the evening of the show by the audience response and reception to your performance.
The professionalism of yourself and your band was a pleasure, and was reiterated by our whole production and logistics staff. We would love to work with you in the near future in any opening act or headliner situations that may arise.”
- Al Salzillo, Agent for Snapple Sunset Music Festival

- Assorted

Aspirion/Northwind Records' Mike Aiken continues his cross country quest of spreading music and a little merriment on the third leg of his "Rum Runner" tour. The singer/songwriter/sailor is set to take the "Rum Runner Bus" and company to radio stations and venues throughout the Carolinas and other East Coast ports of call in support of his new single "Bottoms Up."
The latest trip follows a very successful CRS 40 for the country singer. Aiken made a splash at the annual radio convention in Nashville when he rolled in with the "Rum Runner" Bus. Parked outside the conventinon center, it became a popular mobile watering hole for all attendees.
The hospitality suite on wheels was equipped with the infamous Aiken Rum PUnch and other libations. It also became the most sought after ride, circling the downtown district getting conventioneers to and from places island style.
"Bottoms Up," is the second single from his new CD Hula Girl Highway. Written by Aiken, and produced with his infectious pickin' and light-hearted lyrics, it's the perfect Friday night beer-thirty somewhere song. - The Jayne Gang - March 23, 2009

Many cruisers carry CD players on board, and there’s a good chance that some of them have Jimmy Buffett in heavy rotation. But you might want to make room for Mike Aiken, another salty troubadour.

Aiken developed a taste for music and a restless urge to travel while young. When he discovered sailing, he found the perfect vehicle through which to combine his two passions. He voyaged to Portugal, Spain, and the Caribbean, performing along the way and releasing two CDs.

Now based in Norfolk, Virginia, Aiken and his wife and musical collaborator, Amy, live aboard Island Girl, a 42-foot cuter. He continues to perform and has released his third CD, Just Add Salt, which, like all of Aiken’s CDs, was recorded on The Bay Queen, a retired 80-foot Navy tugboat, vintage 1941, that the couple converted into a sound studio.

Just Add Salt came out in early 2007 on Northwind/Aspirion Records and has won airtime on thousands of country stations, though you can’t pigeonhole Aiken that easily. Besides the country touches, you can hear folk, roots, calypso, and some sea-chantey notes. Even the two cover tunes, the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” and Lyle Lovett’s “If I Had A Boat,” though very faithful renditions, have a unique sound.

So mix a few sundowers – margaritas would be appropriate-and just add salt. For details, visit his website (www.mikeaikenmusic.com).

- Cruising World Magazine - Kitty Martin

2009 so far…
• Seymour-Duncan endorsement
• Release second single “Bottoms Up”
• Voted Best Country Artist at the Port Folio Weekly Music Awards, Norfolk, VA
• Voted Best Americana Band at the Meona Music Awards, Norfolk, VA
2008
• Release 4th CD Hula Girl Highway on Aspirion/Northwind Records
• # 23 Country Indie Top 30
• Charting on New Music Weekly, Music Row, Americana charts
• “No Fishin’ Pole” on Universal Music France Country compilation CD
• Levi’s endorsement
• Signs European booking, publicity and radio promotion to the team
• 3rd Aiken & Friends Fest – Oct 4 including Paul Thorn
• 2009 Aiken & Friends Cruise – Caribbean
2007
• Sign with Aspirion Records to launch national campaign of Just Add Salt
• #24 on Euro-Americana chart
• #1 Euro Indie Hot Disc single “No Fishin’ Pole”
• 2 singles on New Music Weekly Chart, CD on Americana chart
• 2nd Annual Aiken & Friends Fest including Ray Wylie Hubbard and Danny Flowers
• Voted Best Country Artist at the Port Folio Weekly Music Awards, Norfolk, VA
• RACELINE TV-wrote, recorded and produced music for syndicated program covering the NASCAR Series
2006
• Release 3rd CD Just Add Salt on Northwind Records
• 1st Mike Aiken Music Fest in Urbanna, VA
• DVD of ‘Hillbilly Beach Bum’ released in August
• Cedar Creek Cases and Rocky Mountain Slides endorsements
• Plays prestigious Sunset Festival, Newport, RI
2005
• Release of signature guitar by Takamine Guitars, the Travelin’ Bone
• Singer & Musician Magazine contributing writer
2004
• Song ‘Chesapeake’ on Songs of the Chesapeake compilation CD with artists such as Bruce Hornsby, Tom Chapin, Robbin Thompson…
2003
• Released 2nd CD Getaway in December on Northwind Records.
• Song ‘Nova Scotia Fisherman,’ on compilation CD Songs For Sailors #1 by Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine
2002
• Released 1st CD Travelin’ Bone
• Takamine Guitars endorsement
• Ovation Guitars endorsement

- Northwind Records

The weekend was winding down. It was their final performance, one that had entertained over four days some 15,000 boating enthusiasts.
It's what Mike Aiken does. It's what he and wife Amy love to do. So, they smiled at each other, Mike tapped his boot three times and on four they launched into the first of a couple of the best sets I've seen in a long time. - Loretta Jackson, Editor, Philadelphia, PA - Feb. 2005