Mike has been playing the guitar since the age of 9. He graduated from Baker University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music Education. After marrying his wife Katie in 2006 and serving in the United States Peace Corps from 2008-09, he received a Master of Music from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2012. He has studied guitar under Tim Cross, Beau Bledsoe, and Douglas Niedt. He is also a proud father of two: Liam (9) and Teddy (5).