Hayley Moyses and The Bluegrass Forum

Mike has been playing music at both a professional & semi-pro level for more years than he cares to admit. Initially as a vocalist/guitarist/banjoist in a "Folk Music" trio with a Decca Record contract he toured North America & Europe. Many TV & Radio appearances happened during this time from an acoustic music series on Tyne Tees TV to an eclectic BBCTV Folk Music series with legendary artists such as Paul Simon, Ry Cooder, Joan Baez. So as Mike says.."with this pedigree..What happened?"...well life moves in mysterious and at times difficult ways and it was at this time he left the industry for a while.

He first started to enjoy listening and then attempting to play Bluegrass Music many years before having been introduced to it by an "adopted" uncle, who had played in the States in a "Hillbilly" band. It was he that gave Mike his first banjo and who also started to teach him to play. So the music has been part of Mike's life, for all of his life...so far that is!!

More recently & locally in Norwich and the surrounding areas Mike has been involved in retailing musical instruments at one time holding the leading Martin Guitar dealership outside of any major city in the UK. He has taught guitar, banjo & more latterly, dobro. He was  part of the the very popular local band "Spot the Coyote" which was lead by the late Canadian vocalist & guitarist Dan Branch and which was originally formed by Sean (Moyses) Hayleys brother, the internationally renowned banjoist. Before that he was the banjo player with Kentucky Blue which featured Mickey Breame, Justin's father on vocals & guitar. Mike has always been part of the scene throughoiut the 80's,90,s & 2000's regularly guesting on both recording sessions and gigs with country music & acoustic music bands.

And now, as he puts it, he is.."just so proud and inspired to playing with the guys in the "Forum".  Hayley..."just an amazing vocalist and multi instrumentalist & consumate professional"....& John..."a fantastically strong & authentic banjo player with a driving sound unequalled in this area"...& Justin.."well what can be said about this guy that would adequately describe his immense talent. He has to be one of the foremost guitarist & mandolin players in the country"....& Andy, one of the regions best jazz stand-up bass players. His unique approach to the music form is refreshing and opens up areas that bluegrass music doesn't usually negotiate.

Mike plays a:-

1930's "Regal" Dobro (Chicago) & "Rob Ickes" signature Wechter/Scheerhorn Resophonic Guitar

1930's "Jedson 5 string frailing banjo (New York)

1980's hybrid "Masterpeice 5 string banjo, with German, American & Japanese hardware.

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