Born in
Bowmanville, Ontario, Mike Pollard was the youngest of three children.
Mike grew up in the tiny hamlet of Crooked Creek where rural life was
all he knew. From a very early age, country music was a huge part of his
life. Every radio in the Pollard house was tuned into the local country
station and classic country music was always spinning on the record
player. When weekends rolled around there were always family gatherings
and the guitars and old country songs fueled Mike’s love for it even
more.
At eighteen, he taught himself to play the guitar and by the age of
nineteen, was writing his own songs. Very soon, Mike Pollard was singing
songs to anyone who would listen and eventually put his first band
together called “Jimmy Haystack and the Redneck Rodeo”. After a couple
years, the group changed their name to “One Horse Town”. Mike played
rhythm guitar and was lead singer until the group disbanded in 2002. In
the spring of 2003, after some time away, Mike Pollard returned to the
stage as a solo artist.
In the spring of 2004, Mike released his independent debut album, 'Rural
Roots', which included 8 self-penned songs. The album was a hit to fans
and critics alike. 'Rural Roots', was the second best local/indie seller
of 2005 and came in third of all local/indie release in 2006. The album
receives airplay on radio stations from Newfoundland to Australia. The
success of this album found Mike busier than ever as the demand for his
performances grew larger.
His follow up album entitled, 'Hickerbilly', was released in November of
2006. The new album features another 8 Pollard originals and has proved
to be another hit to fans. After only 6 weeks of sales it turned out to
be the number one local/independent release of all 2006! This album is
enjoying success all around the globe and has been consistently taking
the number one spot on local sales charts since its release.
Mike currently resides in Colborne, Ontario, where he enjoys the quiet
life in the country as well as a good place to write songs and make his
music. He is a proud member of the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA),
the European Country Music Association (ECMA) and the Society of
Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). In 2006, he
started his own promotion and design business for the music world;
'Flaming Hooves Entertainment’ and on top of all that, Mike, is also
lead singer for the group, ‘Tools of the Trade’!
Mike
Pollard has shared the stage with many of Canada's top legends and spent
time in Nashville in 2006 and 2007 networking and even performing on
Broadway at Robert's Western World and the World Famous Tootsie's Orchid
Lounge. He has always been dedicated to tradition and is always striving
to provide excellent entertainment to his fans with his multi-talented
band.
At 29 years old, Mike Pollard, certainly can tell stories of life and
love beyond his years. He is a gifted singer whose vocals are strong,
sweet and unmistakable. Dubbed as a new traditionalist, Mike is an
excellent showman, crowd pleaser, and a truly gifted songwriter. There's
no doubt that this young mans passion for tradition and dedication to
his craft will someday make him a household name. Someday down the road
the next generation of country fans will be sitting around at their
gatherings, singing the songs of Mike Pollard.
For bookings, comments or questions:
(905) 355-2261
hickerbilly@sympatico.ca