Nashville Singer/Songwriter Mike Younger Appearing in Santa Barbara

Mike Younger was a street singer working in New Orleans when he was “discovered” by Rodney Crowell, who then produced Mike’s debut release Somethin’ In The Air (2000). Since that fateful turn of events, Mike has written, performed, recorded and released an impressive body of work and his music, songwriting and devotion to progressive causes continue to earn him new fans all over the world. His most recent release Burning The Bigtop Down (2021) is the masterful result of a hard-fought battle to reclaim his lost recordings with rock legends Levon Helm and Jim Dickinson. Remastered work from those sessions combined with all new music – make for a strong collection of blues, folk, rock delivered in a passionate performance. Catch him on his CaliTour 2022. This California Tour is to support his newest CD BURNING THE BIGTOP DOWN and what a story this record and the songwriter have about the decade-long journey to getting this music out to the public. Compare the project to a Phoenix rising from the ashes, and you’ll have a small inkling of what the night will be like at Soho. Take the cut, Lord of the Fleas, produced by Jim Dickinson, the rhythm track for this single was originally cut in January 2001. Featuring Muscle Shoals legends David Hood (bass) and Spooner Oldham (keyboards), Luther Dickenson (North Mississippi All Stars) along with founding member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Band – Levon Helm on drums – the track never saw the light of day. The record company folded, the tapes were lost in a legal battle, and the work was left in the archives. Younger took this performance and recast the lyrics to depict the “carnivalesque” nature of present day political and social strife. The promotional video emerges as if it’s an American news reel – illuminating the great contradiction of the modern patriot. Lord of the Fleas is the first single and video to be released from Younger’s Burning the Bigtop Down. Another great song on the CD, and sure to be on the set list, is Ragtime Angel. When remastering the songs which were laid down in 2001, and adding more original songs to this mix, Younger’s strengths are at the forefront. He hasn’t stopped writing either. Younger produced several CDs between 2001 and now – including: Every Stone You Throw, Hustled by Squares, Little Folks Like You and Me and finally the current CD he’s touring in support of now. Mike’s song Poisoned Rivers which became a rallying cry for local community resistance to unwanted fossil fuel development in Middle Tennessee. The community’s position was strengthened by the 2015 Field Study of Gas Pipeline Safety in Tennessee, which included Mike’s extensive photo-documentation of corroded and poorly maintained interstate gas pipeline infrastructure and haphazard operating conditions across Tennessee. Mike’s devotion to progressive causes continue to earn him new fans all over the world. He really wears his passions on his sleeve, and you’ll hear them his words and music.

Location

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Date and Time for this Past Event

• Monday, Oct 3, 2022  7pm - 10 pm