Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
With his debut album Driftwood, Mike Swann has created a worship album to get excited about. From the driving “Higher Than I” to the pensive, soulful “Driftwood” and “Everything I Need,” this record never skips a beat. Each song is artfully crafted and a solid reminder that God is in control and worthy of unending praise and adoration.
Mike’s acoustic-guitar-driven, roots-rock style of worship music is sweetened by a subtle yet soul-lifting Hammond organ. Jim DeMain, who works with the Gospel/Jam-band, Waterdeep from Kansas City, did a first-rate job of mastering Driftwood. The overall sound is somewhat reminiscent of the records of Bebo Norman and Mitch McVicker.
This record passes one of my personal top criteria for a great album: When the last track ends, I have to reach down and start the record all over. There are very few albums that pass this test, but Driftwood is now on that list.
- -Matt Cramer
Discography
Driftwood (CD), 2003:
1. Rescue Me Lord
2. Hostage
3. Driftwood
4. Higher than I
5. Fill My Cup
6. Way Truth Life
7. Psalm Five
8. Face to Face
9. Everything I Need
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Born in Detroit, Michigan on October 27, 1974, Michael Howard Swann grew up in Springfield, Missouri. He didn’t find his call to worship until he was 16 years old, after a spiritual awakening. “I remember wanting to be able to play the guitar, just so I could sing the song, ‘Lord, You Are’. Brad Edgar taught me that song on an old guitar my mom had around the house, and that was truly the beginning. I still love to play that song.” His first experience leading worship was with a non-denominational youth ministry, K-life, in Springfield.
In college at Southwest Missouri State University, he teamed up with gospel singer Samson Latchison, where they became known for their blues renditions of hymns, reminiscent of Ashley Cleveland and Darryl Mansfield. Mike also played at Icthus campus ministry, Greek house church, and Resurrection week at SMSU. While in college, his friend Brian McCommas turned him on to writing original songs to be able to sing “what you really feel”. After graduating from college in 1997 and marrying his college sweetheart, Molly, they moved to Oklahoma City where Mike would begin medical and graduate school at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. When asked if his call to worship has affected his pursuit in medicine, Mike said, “I think I have found the best of both worlds between a career and ministry. I don’t think Paul had it so good!”
Mike teamed up with Life Covenant Church (www.lifechurch.tv), a uniquely progressive, evangelical church in Edmond to lead at various worship venues, including West, East and Avodah campuses in Edmond, AMC in Oklahoma City, and the Tulsa campus. Throughout medical and graduate school, his call to worship has been an obvious priority, playing at Life Church and other churches and college ministries in the Norman, Oklahoma City, and Edmond area. “The idea to record the Driftwood album was actually in response to people asking for copies of the original worship we were doing at Life Church. It started out as a couple of songs with a real acoustic feel and the songs kept coming and it turned into an album.” Driftwood, the independent album released early 2003, is available at (www.mikeswannmusic.com)
His musical influences are varied. Rich Mullins, Nick Drake, Waterdeep, Jack Johnson, Jonatha Brooke, Sara Harmer, U2, Coldplay, and Dave Matthews make the short list of musicians who have inspired. Although his main instrument is acoustic guitar, he also plays harmonica, electric guitars, and the hammered dulcimer. “I bought the hammered dulcimer after Rich Mullins died in order to keep his songs alive in me. I’ll occasionally bring it to worship and play ‘Creed’ or ‘Awesome God’ and it really feels like Rich is smiling down.” His current team consists of Nathan Price on drums and percussion, Chad Copelin on Hammond organ and keys, Josh Wright on electric guitar and Matthew Price on bass guitar. He will graduate from medical school and pursue worship during his training as a dermatology surgeon.
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