Mike Farris

Mike Farris possesses a gospel-infused vocal style that merges the raw force of Bon Scott’s hard rock delivery with the buoyant warmth of Al Green. Achieving equilibrium between his personal life and abundant abilities has required years of effort. At age 11 he was shattered by his parents’ divorce, which propelled him into early substance abuse and eventually reform school. After an accidental overdose nearly proved fatal, he relocated to his father’s home, took up guitar, and started composing songs, slowly distancing himself from addiction. He later founded the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, a landmark 1990s blues jam band, yet constant road work and nightclub environments reignited his former excesses. Although he produced strong recordings with the Wheelies, with Peaceful Knievel, and as vocalist for Double Trouble—Stevie Ray Vaughan’s former rhythm section—Farris remained in profound inner turmoil. During a 2004 funeral for a friend he reached a breaking point, choosing sobriety and a renewed faith in God. The two solo projects that followed, Goodnight Sun from 2002 and the later Salvation in Lights, were recorded in Nashville under Matt Martone’s production and include bass work from Dave Roe, Johnny Cash’s longtime sideman; both stand as powerful musical and spiritual affirmations of his path toward redemption.