Mick Hayes

Mick Hayes is a professional blues musician originally from East Aurora, NY. Recently he became a Nationally Published Writer and is writing music for Warner Brothers. THRiVE! conducted a brief Q & A to find out what inspires his music.

Congratulations on your new contract with Warner Brothers. What lands you in Buffalo, NY? I'm originally from East Aurora , NY. I have cultivated my music style all over the country but my first few musical experiences were right here in Buffalo.

 Your working on both a solo album and a group project, why the two separate works? The solo album is a collection of 'songwriter' songs that really don't fit the known mold of a Mick Hayes show. It's emotionally intensive and very intimate, they are works that I have written over the course of the last few heartaches before meeting my beautiful fiancée and the Lord as well. The title is, ‘The Recovery EP.’ The Studio band project is going to be back to my roots as a songwriter and entertainer, I did try to commercialize the last album a bit (MHB 2009 Self-titled) and it came out great, but this time I just wanted to be a blues-blues album rather than a rock - blues.

What do you enjoy most about being a professional musician? I enjoy the little things, (laughing) being able to make your own schedule is amazing right from the start. I love spending time with my music collection and learning during the first part of the week and entertaining people the second half of the week. Obviously everyone thinks if you are doing what you love that it's the perfect life, well it's quite far from perfect. These days, faith takes me through the tough times and that is growing stronger everyday. 

What is most challenging? Well there are a few things but the most challenging is the wait. God designed me with an amazing sense of patience. I have found myself so close to the finish line so many times, both in television and music, and have not quite crossed it. There are also days I have to wonder if I am being tempted with something to lead me away from my faith that looks an awful lot like what I have been praying for. That would be the most recent challenge.

Where do you go or what do you do when you are in need of inspiration? I usually have to travel to a music city like Nashville or Atlanta for musical inspiration. I have been kind of stale lately, funny you should ask that! I have been around our country a few times in different locations and musically it’s comforting to see great musicians also struggling in big music towns. I write a lot when I'm traveling too. There is a lot to be said about the emptiness of hotel rooms and what it does to your heart.!