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

Mike, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

My story begins as a young military member that was injured in combat and several injuries after returning to the states. I was medical retired out of the Navy and my career was destroyed. I travel many places after this raising my children and trying to make it as an artist. I averaged 300 shows a year up and down the east coast. I took and chance and was able to enroll in Camp Southern Ground and it changed my life! I took a chance and moved to Nashville and returned to school at 51 years old for sound engineering and music production. I graduated in December 2023. It was hard considering I am clinically deaf and blind in one eye. But I did it and now I play 6 days a week on Broadway and have produced several artist!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up on the road with my parent who played for many big stars in the 70’s and 80’s. It was in my blood and never left.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to learn how to cope with my disabilities. That was the hardest for me.

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

I believe that if more people would just share our music and support live music it would help the artist do better in today’s world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mikepondermusic.com

Image Credits
Mike ponder Mark allee