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Mike McGrew was born on March 8th, 1954. He
started learning guitar on his 13th birthday. He first started
playing in bands in early 1969. Those bands were "Soul" bands and
they played the music of the day. Their names in order were;
"The Crystal Soul Ship", "The Soul Centennials",
and (Most important) "Ebony And Ivory". This band was well before
the song of the same name! It was a great experience for this white
boy. After graduating from Fountain, Ft. Carson High School, Mike
moved to Lawton, OK. in the year of 1972. The band he was in then
had to have the dumbest name he's ever played under, "Orwig Hump".
This band played a mix of rock, (Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Chicago, ect.).
Stupid name, but it was a fun learning experience. They lasted from
1972 until
1974. From 1975 through 1977 Mike was on the road with two different
gigs. The first was called "The Billy Boyles Show". It was a Las
Vegas "Lounge Act", but he (Billy Boyles) was a very talented
person. In 1977 Mike was with a band named "Hollywood". This band
was a Funk-Disco band. The Funk part was fun, the Disco part sucked.
It ended in Oct. 1977. Since then, Mike settled in Lawton, OK. and
played in assorted variety and country gigs. His love of the violin
made him learn the instrument. He plays it nightly with the Smokin'
Okies. Mike says that the most important band has been the "Smokin'
Okies" which got together in Sept. 2000. Mike is a "Musical
Monster", says Wes Blanton. "He's the one I want playing guitar on
stage with me"! |
