Mike Schikora
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Mike Schikora

Allen, Texas, United States

Allen, Texas, United States
Band Country Blues

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"MIKE SCHIKORA CD REVIEW"

Mike Schikora introduced us to his brand of cowboy-flavored country music with his debut album What's Old Is New Again. The true to life cowboy/rancher that calls Colorado home, embodied the spirit of "true country music." With his sophomore effort, This Cowboy's In Love, we see him continue on down that same path, but also get to see Schikora exploring a couple of different avenues then we originally heard from him. Songs like the album's title track and lead single, "This Cowboy's In Love" showcase the traditional cowboy country elements that we've come to expect, as do tracks like soon to be barroom favorites "Come Closing Time" and "Pour Me Back Down." However, it is when he offers something a little different than what's expected that this album truly shines. Songs like "Hard To Hold" transport you to a dusty nightclub when a jazzy type piano pulls you through the song, or on track like "Be Good To Me" we see him lean heavy on the guitar riff that offers up a bluesy like Clapton vibe. This album easily goes above and beyond his debut and showcases what Mike Schikora can bring to the table. His versatility as a vocalist and songsmith is presented more often than not throughout this album as he blends together various genres to make a coherent sound that can only be classified as Mike Schikora. There is no sophomore slump here, but rather solid music that's full of risks that pay off throughout the album as they add depth and character to Mike Schikora's music as a whole.
©2008 - TODAY'S COUNTRY MAGAZINE


Discography

DEBUT CD "WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN"
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mikeschikora2

SECOND CD "THIS COWBOY'S IN LOVE"
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mikeschikora3

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Bio

This is the motto songwriter/artist Mike Schikora has been living by for years now. Since then he has ridden his horse twice over the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, started a Half Arabian Sporthorse breeding business, founded and owns his own indie record label Front Range Records, and continues to write new songs for his own Publishing Company Tuck And Go Music.

Mike Schikora has come a long way since he first arrived in Nashville in 1987 where shortly after he landed a publishing deal as a staff songwriter. Fine tuning his writing paired with his powerful, unique high lonesome tenor Mike received a lot of attention during those 7 years spent in Nashville. Playing at all the clubs and getting passed on by all the major record labels didn't discourage his ambition. It made him stronger and more driven! Mike was ready to keep at it until a well known industry friend who he respected highly advised Mike he felt his songs were getting 'to Nashville' and some time spent off Music Row may do him some good. A hard decision, yet one Mike respected and honored.

A move to the Rocky mountains of Colorado proved to be exactly what Mike needed. Getting back to the mountains was reminiscent of Mike's youth growing up in the northwest logging town of Libby, Montana. Here Mike found inspiration to begin writing again!

Mike produced and self penned songs for his critically acclaimed debut CD released in 2008 titled WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN. Ventured outside of country in 2009 to co-produce a rocking blues CD titled ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS with friend and Colorado blues artist Becky Martinek. Then early 2010 Mike released his follow up sophmore CD to great reviews titled THIS COWBOYS IN LOVE.

Between his two passions, music and horses, keeping up with Mike these days is a fun challenge. His music seems to be dictating where he lands, and with what he is doing so far, the Colorado cowboy seems well on his way.