Mike Lynch

John Cairns – article posted April 13, 2013

Mike — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 05:06:53 +0000

Music Review

MUSIC-MAN MIKE LYNCH MAPS THE ROADWAYS OF HUMAN HEARTS Review by Jay Scott Kanes Author, Island Toes A’Tapping (2006) ST. CATHARINES, Ontario, Canada

Following the recent death of Stomping Tom Connors, long regarded as Canada’s leading …traveling balladeer, the task of upholding hit-the-road musical traditions falls squarely onto the likes of Ontario-based Mike Lynch. Being in some respects even more talented than Connors, Mike appears fully equal to the challenge. A country-music songwriter and guitar-string puller with a wealth of experience gained when traveling and performing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, Mike recently released a new CD, titled Transitions. In a slight “change of gears”, he filled this collection mostly with love songs, turning into more of a troubadour than ever. From “Our Love” and “Krissy’s Song” to the likes of “Right All Along” and “Far Away Girl”, these songs follow not the routes shown on highway maps, but rather the trails of love passing through human hearts. These pathways can prove highly complex.

“Hard as nails, she can be, Or soft as a pillow some days. She can stir me up, put a fire in my side, Or say that she loves me after a fight, Oh, this love, it ain’t perfect, But it’s our love…. Our love is like a wide-open sky, Sun in your face, tear in your eye, It’s beautiful, yeah.” From “Our Love”, Mike Lynch, Transitions, 2013

Mike assesses some of the important lessons that he has learned on journeys of the heart. “Every girlfriend taught me something, Something about love. When I was younger, I thought I knew love. But really I didn’t know that much. Always learning, We’re still learning about love….” From “Krissy’s Song”, Mike Lynch, Transitions, 2013

Even an on-the-move musician can form the most truly meaningful attachments. As Mike sings: “Her name was Krissy. It’s a funny story. She moved in next door, And into my house, And into my heart, And I never let her go, And we’re still learning. We’re still learning about love….” From “Krissy’s Song”, Mike Lynch, Transitions, 2013

Produced by Matt Keighan and by Mike, Transitions emerges from Audiomat (www.audiomat.ca), a studio in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Among the supporting musicians, Jay Reed plays electric guitar, Keighan handles drums and Joel Banks tugs on bass guitar. Not only did Mike write every song, but he plays piano and harmonica too.

Mike’s high-magnitude impact resonates on every track. Along with a wealth of love songs, Transitions features several tracks about other challenges, like nicotine addiction (“Last Cigarette”) and persistent partying (“I Tied One on Last Night”).

“This is my very last cigarette, I’ll never smoke again, Just like the one I had late last night, and the one before then…. The doctor says if I don’t quit, It soon will be my death…. Now I’m hanging onto Every living, loving, last puff Like it’s my last breath. Why do all the good things Have to be so damn bad for us?” From “Last Cigarette”, Mike Lynch, Transitions, 2013

Sometimes life poses serious challenges. Then mere survival tests a person. “Hard times on the left hand, Troubles on the right. It’s hard to be a good man, When you’re fighting for your life. You’ll cheat, you’ll steal, You’ll never sleep at night, When there’s hard times on the left hand, Troubles on the right.” From “Hard Times on the Left Hand, Troubles on the Right”, Mike Lynch, Transitions, 2013

Another song, “Happy Days”, blends words of longing with an update about the characters in a long-popular television show. “Richie Cunningham fell in love with Lori Beth. They got married and had a family of their own. Mr. and Mrs. C, you know they’re still together, And Fonzie still likes to ride that motorbike. And I want to be part of your Happy Days, Your haaaa-ppy days….” From “Happy Days”, Mike Lynch, Transitions, 2013

Listeners to this album easily find much to like. Anyone seeking flaws or disagreeable aspects will find the going much tougher. For more details: www.lynchmusic.ca.See More

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New CD Transitions available on itunes…

Mike — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:00:45 +0000

HERE IS THE NEW CD TRANSITIONS!! PREVIEW IT THEN OWN IT..

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/transitions/id634133264

The reviews are already coming in for ‘Transitions’..

Mike — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:07:22 +0000

Mike’s new CD Transitions is “A Breath of Fresh Air” ..I enjoyed auditioning (this) new album and plan to program it over the next couple of weeks

Michael Richard LeBlanc/producer & ‘”on-air” show director, CBC Radio, 106.1 FM in Moncton

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“Mike has once again shown himself to be a truly singular and unique songwriter. His latest collection “Transitions” is a varied and fresh-sounding assortment of rowdiness and sensitivity.”

Pete Walker, Music Director
KX-96 FM Oshawa

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Recent footage from a concert in Espanola Ontario!!

Mike — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:30:07 +0000

December Tour Dates. 2012.

Mike — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 00:17:32 +0000

SATURDAY. Nov. 24 House Concert, Sarnia ON. If you’re in the area contact Kim at #519-381-6261

Nov. 30, The Duck in St.Catharines, w’ Marty Allen, and Angela Sircusa!!

Dec. 7, Old Winery, Niagara On The Lake – highway #55

Dec. 8, Kilt and Clover, Beamsville ON. “Eric Arsenaults Birthday Party”..!! King St. and Mountainview.

Dec. 14, Espanola Garage Concert, Espanola On.

Sat. Dec. 15, Ahmic Harbour Hotel, Ahmic Harbour, ON.

Dec. 28 , Moonshine Cafe, Kerr st. Oakville On.

Dec. 31, New Years - 190 Fairway Rd. Woodstock Ontario. Tickets are $20 or $25 at the door. reservations at 519-533-6466 or email Carolyn – carolyn@sallycreekgolf.com

http://lynchmusic.ca/tour-dates/

Mike Lynch live at the Duck in St.Catharines, with Angela Siracusa and Mary Allen!!

Mike — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 16:03:35 +0000

What a great night!! I want to Thank Angela and Ian for putting on a such a wonderful event!!

July 15, 2012

Mike — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:33:20 +0000

Hey folks, its been a super busy summer so far.. We toured out to Dauphin Manitoba (performing in Sudbury, Goulais River, Wawa, Rossport, and Nestor Falls Ontario, along the way ) for Dauphin’s Countryfest! www.countryfest.ca . It was an amazing experience! We performed the mainstage to at 1:30 on the Saturday for a big, enthusiastic crowd! Then at 4:30 I was back on mainstage again with one of my heroes Charlie Major! As part of the “Songwriters Circle” with Clayton Bellamy, Arron Lines, Joel Stewart, Charlie Major, Wendell Ferguson.. I walked on stage looking for a seat and a microphone, and between Joel Stewart (CMT/artist) and Charlie Major, there was one chair available.. I didn’t even think about it, the choice was clear.. As the songwriter in round came down the line, Charlie performed “I do it for the Money”, I followed with my “Will to Survive”! Then he played “Backroads”, so I answered with “Old Fashioned Side of Me”, etc.. At the end of the show, Charlie Major turned to me and said “Could I have a copy of your CD”.. I mean, this guy is a monster songwriter and a real nice guy too, and he wanted a Road Map!!

We then rushed back to perform at Roger Marin’s Cicadafest in St.Catherines On. The following week. Where we headlined the Friday night! This was a well run festival, with artists from all over North America appearing.. www.cicadafest.com Was a great time!! Check out the pics below! Pictures by Ian Faiers..

NSAI SONGWRITERS WEEK!!

Mike — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:27:07 +0000

I’m part of the NASHVILLE NORH SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL this year!! I’m a HEADLINER at the Moonshine Cafe, in Oakville, Thurs, May 24, 7:30, along with HIT songwriter Rob Crosby and more!! To reserve today go to:

http://tickets.ticketwindow.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=1332

ROAD MAP OFFICIAL VIDEO!!

Mike — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:43:19 +0000

Country Music News /December issue/ CD Review (written by Larry Delaney)

Mike — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:50:33 +0000

Mike Lynch – Road Map ; Produced by Brian Allen

Mike Lynch is the ‘real deal’. A hardcore, country singer and songwriter, with material not unlike what we hear from Tim Hus, Corb Lund and other ‘troubadour’ styled artists. This latest collection of tunes by the St.Catharines, Ontario-based artist is truly a standout piece of work; thanks to his edgy songs and the crusty vocal delivery that gives them a contemporary twang.

There are several songs here that really standout. Songs About the Road, lives up to its name, utilizing ‘road song’ titles to get the message across (it is patterned similar to Gary Allan’s Songs About Rain lament from a couple years ago.) In the same vein, the title track tune Road Map covers that rocky road in life and love that most everyone travels (especially ‘troubadours’). Another winner here is the hardcore traditional country tune Old Fashioned Side of Me; while the hurtin’ country song House Full of Mirrors is given a neat Dwight Yoakam fell. There’s quite a variety of material on the album. Check out the bluesy ballad Will To Survive, with Mike Lynch sounding not unlike Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy; while Turn On The Evening News, with its radio/TV news clip intro makes an interestion political statement – intended or otherwise.

Shot of Whiskey and Baby’s Long Gone are a couple of ‘drinkin’ songs that fit perfectly into this off-beat collection of songs…with none more off-beat than God Locked The Keys In Her Van, a fun tune about a good time gone bad.

Road Map, Mike Lynch’s Sixth album release, was produced by Brian Allen, and features session support from the likes of Doug Johnson (pedal Steel) , John P. Allen (fiddle), Wendell Ferguson (guitars), and a host of other top notch players. (For info/copies vist www.lynchmusic.ca)