Mike Porter & The Panther Creek Band

Mike Porter has been performing to a wide range of audiences from TN to the Midwest states of Indiana, Iowa and Illinois. He grew up near the small village of Bible Grove, IL (population 100), and is an active member of the Illinois Country Music Association. He was raised on Traditional/Contemporary Country, and the 50’s and 60’s were also a large influence on his early music. This music molded Mike’s character and love for the up tempo County and Rockabilly styles. Mike also began to sing and harmonize with his sister, Marsha Banning, and the two became dubbed the “Panther Creek Duo”. In addition to singing with his sister, writing his own music and performing at venues across the Midwest, Mike began to also excel in the art of Yodeling, a passion that he has held and crafted since childhood. Mike was named The 2005 International Grand Champion Yodeler, so yodeling songs are always a unique favorite at his shows. Mike Porter has won various awards, and performed on the same stage as Joe Diffie, Confederate Railroad, Clay Walker, Phil Vasser, Ronnie Mcdowell, Gene Watson and Loretta Lynn to name a few. Mike currently has 10 albums total, the most recent being, "Nashville Ain't Gonna Come To Me". This self written album has already earned 2 International awards and was named the 2008 Illinois Country Music Association’s Album Recording of the Year. In March 2009, Mike was awarded NACMAI Songwriter of the Year, for the title track, "Nashville Ain't Gonna Come To Me", and 2007 NACMAI Songwriter of the Year (Holiday), for "It just Don't Feel Like Christmas", featured on the album. He has also earned the title of The 2009/10 Prairie Thunder Country Idol Winner. Mike has earned the title of Illinois Country Music Association's Songwriter of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and the 2008 Male Vocalist in an Opry . He is the creator and MC/performer for the Illinois monthly Sunday Matinee opry, “The Gym Bob’s Jamboree Show”, www.GymBobs.com. Mike Porter is currently scheduled for many road shows and festivals in 2009 to include The Mississippi Valley Fair, in Davenport, Iowa, (performing three shows a day), The Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, (two shows a day), and the Spoon River Drive, in Farmington, IL, in early October 09’. More dates can be found on his "Upcoming Events" page at www.MikePorter.com