We were lucky to catch up with Mike Donnell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mike, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I have always recorded previous albums at major studios but where I’m at in my life right now I had to make some cuts so I decided to learn the art of recording, build my own home studio and do it myself! After countless hours of online courses and videos I think I figured it out because I have a new full length album ready to release and I’m proud to say not only am I the sole writer and vocalist, but I also recorded every instrument myself, tracked, mixed, and mastered all at home in my studio! This is a big gamble for me because I’m worried the quality is going to take a hit and people will see through it but I have decided to take that risk and just released my 1st single off of that album to Texas Radio. Its called “Changes” by Mike Donnell

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Mike name is Mike Donnell and I’m a Texas Country recording artist and performer from Tomball, Tx. I have always known I wanted to be a singer from a very young age so its been my life long dream and I still chase it everyday. I would say I got into the business in 2008 when I got out of the military. I did put out a few acoustic tracks while I was serving but didn’t get into the full band stuff until then. Since then I have written and distributed 4 full length albums and a ton of other singles. I have had several songs make Top 50 on the radio charts in Texas but I learn with each release and still am chasing that #1. Fyi you can request my music at any country radio station in Texas so please do so! I think what sets me apart from others is my drive and commitment. I write my own music, as of recently record everything myself, do all my own art work, majority of my own booking, and even shoot all of my own music videos! Nothing has ever come easy for me so its a constant fight. In fact, my own Mom once called me Murphy (as in murphy’s law) Whatever can go wrong, will. I think its my Marine Corps discipline that gives me the strength to get back up and keep pushing on. I don’t have a quittin’ bone in my body. I mean, you cant fail if you never give up so here I am talking to you guys about my 7th Radio single I just released called “Changes”

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

This is a good question and I wish people would ask it more. Music and the music business are in a constant state of evolution. How we consume music is as well. I miss the days when you heard a song you loved on the radio and It would get stuck in your head for days creating a need to drive down to block buster music and get your hands on the hard copy. Those days are gone because today everything is easily accessible in under 1 min. But because of that the market has increased 10 fold. I can throw a rock in my own zip code and hit 50 amazing musicians so its a grind for us to fight for your attention everyday. The best way you can support musicians is to simple talk about us. Spread the word. Grow the brand. With technology where it is today, the more an artists content is shared, the more the algorithm on that platform will prioritize their material so more people will see it. Of course we wish you would actually buy the music but no one does that anymore. Streaming sites are cheap and easy. If you like a local musicians song, simple add it to one of your playlists and share it on social media. You guys (The fans) literally have complete control over our success so its up to you.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m not really interested in becoming some big international super star because all that means to me is that Ill never be home to see my kids grow up. My dream is a little more local than that so its really nice to already feel so close to it. I just want to be a big regional name. Big enough to play a few sold out shows a week all over Texas or even Ok and LA, but then still be able to spend a few days a week with my wife and kids. Right now, I’m blessed to book shows all over Texas, have surrounded myself with a great hard working team and we get to travel in a pretty nice bus I built with my family so I feel like I’m right on the heels of making my dreams come true! Now I just need those shows to be sold out haha So yall check out my calendar at www.MikeDonnellMusic.com and come to some shows!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mikedonnellmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/mikedonnellmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeDonnellBand/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikedonnellband?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZVU8P57ImK1UorGVAk333w