Mick Hayes (musician)
Mick Hayes | |
|---|---|
Mick Hayes in studio, 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | June 17, 1978 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Origin | East Aurora, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, Rock, Americana |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, guitarist |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Label | Independent |
| Website | mickhayesmusic |
Mick Hayes (born June 17, 1978) is an American blues, rock, and Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist from Buffalo, New York. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, he has been recognized by the Grammy Nomination Committee in multiple categories,[1] performed with artists including Stevie Wonder[2] and Joe Bonamassa,[3] and released ten albums of original material.[4] His 2020 album My Claim to Fame, recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, received positive reviews from multiple independent publications.[5][6]
Early life
Hayes was born in 1978 in Buffalo, New York and grew up in Lackawanna, New York and East Aurora, New York.[7] He began playing guitar at the age of seven, learning from 45 rpm records his parents gave him.[8] Hayes started performing live at 16 with local bands and headlined his first festival at 23.[9]
Career
Hayes began his career performing locally in New York while working as an auto mechanic by day.[10] He expanded regionally, touring in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Canada.[11] By his early twenties, he had formed his own band and was performing nationally.[12]
He later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to further his career in the Southeast, and appeared on television shows including Confessions of a Matchmaker and Season 6 of American Idol.[13] After returning to New York, Hayes continued to perform along the East Coast and in Canada, opening for acts such as the Doobie Brothers, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, and Peter Frampton.[14][15][16]
Albums and Collaborations
Since 2003, Hayes has released ten albums of original material.[17] His 2020 release, My Claim to Fame, was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama,[18] and received positive reviews from critics.[19][20] The album featured members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and blended blues with soul influences.[21]
Hayes has collaborated with jazz musician Najee, contributing to his album Guitar&B.[22] In 2025, Hayes began releasing singles from his upcoming album Lies & Letdowns, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith (musician).[23]
Recent Work
In 2023, Hayes relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, then in 2024 started to work on his upcoming album Lies & Letdowns, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith (musician).[24] The album also features Reese Wynans, Lemar Carter, Calvin Turner, and Jade Macrae. He has released singles from the project, including “Checkered Past,” and continues to perform live in the United States.[25] Hayes remains an active touring artist, appearing at blues festivals and intimate venues, and has continued to build his fan base through regular live performances and new studio releases.[26]
Discography
- Michael...The Other Side of Me (2005)[27]
- Segue EP (2005)[28]
- Live at the Tap Room (2005)[29]
- Self-Titled (2009)[30]
- Recovery EP (2011)[31]
- Cafe Artistry Live (2012)[32]
- The Fuse (2016)[33]
- GUITAR&B (2016)[34]
- Medley 2005–2017 (2017)[35]
- My Claim to Fame (2020)[36]
- Lies & Letdowns (upcoming, 2026)[37]
References
- ^ "Mick Hayes – My Claim to Fame | Album Review". 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes – Hammond Family Artists".
- ^ "Mick Hayes releases "Checkered Past" produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith". Blues Rock Review. 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Artist Search for "mick hayes"". AllMusic.
- ^ "Mick Hayes – My Claim to Fame | Album Review". 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes My Claim to Fame". 11 July 2020.
- ^ "A Conversation with Mick Hayes". 16 September 2020.
- ^ "A Conversation with Mick Hayes". 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes".
- ^ "A Conversation with Mick Hayes". 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes".
- ^ "Mick Hayes My Claim to Fame". 11 July 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes".
- ^ "Artpark 2015 Concert Series Announced - Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, Deep Purple, Melissa Etheridge, Blondie, Steve Miller, Three Days Grace, Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and More!". 19 April 2015.
- ^ "Cheap Trick, Mick Hayes Band – Artpark, Lewiston, NY – July 17, 2011". 19 July 2011.
- ^ https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2012/08/08/107403/artpark-frampton-comes-alive
- ^ "Artist Search for "mick hayes"". AllMusic.
- ^ "Mick Hayes – Fame Studios". 13 July 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes – My Claim to Fame | Album Review". 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes My Claim to Fame". 11 July 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes: Philly Soul Meets Buffalo Blues - Modern Jazz Today". 25 September 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes My Claim to Fame". 11 July 2020.
- ^ "Mick Hayes releases "Checkered Past" produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith". Blues Rock Review. 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Mick Hayes releases "Checkered Past" produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith". Blues Rock Review. 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Mick Hayes My Claim to Fame". 11 July 2020.
- ^ "Q&A with multitalented musician Mick Hayes, an obvious master of his craft - his music transcends today's boundaries".
- ^ "I Don't Care - TDV | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Segue - Mick Hayes | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Nailed - Filthy Christians | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Festtag in Südtirol - Various Artists | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "LXXX - M.Fusion | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Someday - Eternal | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Launch and Landing - the Lost Patrol | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Guitar & B - Mick Hayes | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "After Sunset - Original Soundtrack | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "My Claim to Fame - Mick Hayes | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Mick Hayes releases "Checkered Past" produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith". Blues Rock Review. 7 March 2025.