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Mike has had a distinctive and varied career.
The 80’s brought Mike into a full
guitar spectrum as guitarist for Gregg
Allman, Elvin Bishop
and the Hudson/Danko Band.
He started playing and touring in 1981 with
“The Sharpshooter Band”,
featuring long time Allman Brothers
Band members Jaimoe Johnson
and Lamar Williams.
Mike
would have the opportunity throughout the
years to play with most of the musicians
who had influenced his style, Albert
Collins, John Lee Hooker
and Dr. John. He sat in
with artists like Joe Cocker,
Freddie King and The
Pointer Sisters before he was old
enough to be in the club.
Those experiences would lead to put together
his own ensemble, The Mike Reilly
Band and to record 4 CD’s
over the next couple of years.
“Caught in The Act”
was cut in1995 and produced by
Brian Webster. This CD put the band on the
road for most of 1995, touring the U.S.
and Canada.
“Who’s
Been Sleeping in My Bed”
was recorded in 1998, which featured appearances
from Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, Kid Ramos,
Garth Hudson, Bill Champlin, Mike Finnigan,
members of Tower of Power and the Butterfield
Blues Band. “Who’s” would
be the first CD which received airplay on
a nationwide basis.
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“Ol
Knuckleheads”, cut in 2003
would receive great reviews! Teaming up with
Grammy winner Shadowfax’s
drummer Stu Nevitt and former
Delaney and Bonnie, Canned Heat
guitarist, Jimmy McGrew.
Also, long time bassist with the MRB and former
member of Etta James and
Elvin Bishop camps, Calvin Hardy
and long time friend Mike Kahrs
on piano and Hammond organ. This was a fun
and exciting band to put with another Grammy
winner, producer/drummer Tony Braunagle.
Mike also had a little help from Bassist
Ken Gradney of Little Feat
and once again Dangerous Dan Toler,
former Allman Brother and guitarist
for Dickey Betts Great Southern.
Atlas Records will soon
be releasing a compilation CD, “Reilly’s
Road”, featuring unreleased
material from recordings made during Mike’s
span with various artists.
“Reilly’s
Road”
Reflects Mike’s entire recording career.
Long time friend, Gregg Allman,
can be heard on three previously unreleased
tunes. These were cut during the band’s
early formation in Silverado, CA. Joining
the party is Taj Mahal, Mike Finnigan,
Bill Champlin, Elvin Bishop, Dangerous Dan
Toler and Garth Hudson (The Band).
The
MRB is scheduling a tour for 2008 bringing
with them special guests artists TBA.
The new band will feature
Glen Fisher on upright and electric
bass. Chris Squires on
Keyboards and vocal. JD King
guitar and vocal. Lee Williams
drums and vocal.
George Manoukian drums
and percussion.
Currently Mike has been hanging out at Speak
Easy studios in Oceanside, CA
co-producing along with drummer producer
Lee Williams.
The project is called The Misery
Loves Company.
www.myspace.com/themiserery
lovescompanyband
The
Chubb’s Bros
is another one of Mike’s favorite
projects. We started as a motorcycle club
with a blues problem. Mike says that if
your invited to a Chubb’s Bros show
and don’t come, it’s your loss.
They are the best in blues, bar-b-que as
well as brothers of the road.
To
name a few people that have dropped by to
sit in, are Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
and Brad Whitford (Aerosmith).
www.myspace.com/chubbsbros
Mike Reilly with 2 of the
loves of his life.
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