Evan A Mi

My love for music began in a third grade music class in Monticello, Indiana, where I sang traditional elementary school songs with my classmates and got my introduction to basic musical instruments.  My first instrument was a recorder.  From that starting point I have let my love for music propel me, and my discipline, study regimen, and endless practice/performance schedule develop him into the bass player I am today.

I credit my third grade music class for giving me my start in music although when I first played that recorder, and sang those songs, I had no way to know where my love of music or the few notes I learned on the recorder would take me.  Now I know the importance of my experience with music in my elementary school and how that experience was the first step in learning how to create sounds on other instruments

When I was in the sixth grade I focused my musical passion by joining my middle school band.  I chose the trombone as my instrument.  My skill and passion for music combined to land me as the first chair position in the trombone section. It was during that experience that I decided that music would be a big part of my life.

With passion and desire within me, I was lucky to opportunity thrown at me in the summer following sixth grade.  My older brother, Clayton, began his quest of learning to play guitar.  I was drawn to Clayton’s guitar, and when Clayton was not playing it, I used it as his own.  Clayton encouraged Me to play bass guitar so we could play songs together.  Whether Clayton was a visionary, or just trying to get his guitar back from me, is unknown, but I began the process of learning to be a bass man. I had to work hard and save my money before I could buy a bass guitar, but as with most driven, talented musicians, I found a way.  In my case I learned my early bass lines on my mother’s acoustic guitar. 

The rest of that summer was filled with Clayton learning guitar parts and me playing bass lines on mom’s acoustic guitar.  I knew that I was destined to be a bass player and I had to earn my way to the next level, so I mowed lawns and saved my money until I bought my first bass. 

With bass strapped to my body and passion to propel me, I practiced obsessively.  My first goal was to learn every Red Hot Chili Peppers song I could find on the internet.  I wanted to be as good as my idol, Flea.  I found that task easier than I imagined and I showed others that I had a natural talent that was impressive.  Clayton, who was three years older, noticed and asked me to join his band, Free Radical.  I was overwhelmed with joy to be in middle school and playing in a real band.  Free Radical covered songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc. and the band stayed together until Clayton and the other “older” guys graduated and moved on with their lives.

I was a sophomore in high school with Free Radical disbanded, but I was still playing the trombone and was first chair in the high school band.  I loved playing trombone and made a commitment to become skilled enough on that instrument to gain acceptance into the Ball State University School of Music. I set upon a course of study that would prepare me for that goal.

I did not abandon my love of the bass guitar.  While still in high school I was asked to play bass in another group called "God Save Bob."   God Save Bob primarily played Christian rock songs and it became known around Indiana churches as one of the best worship bands.  After playing worship music for a year, God Save Bob made the decision to change genres and become a classic rock cover band.  The decision was good for business as gigs began to book on a regular basis.

While making post high school life decisions, I went through with the audition for Ball State's music school.  I was accepted, honored and excited to have an opportunity to further develop my skills as a performing trombone player.  However, two weeks before enrolling into college, I made the life changing decision to decline the opportunity and start my adventure in the "real world."  The members of God Save Bob all committed to give all their efforts to make it in the music business. 

God Save Bob, with me on bass, and his brother, Clayton, on lead guitar, flourished in the tough Indianapolis music scene.  There were high hopes of making it to the big stage.  However, following a year of playing gigs two or three times a week and no big opportunities coming our way, God Save Bob disbanded.  I gave up on the music industry and, for six months, I didn’t touch my bass guitar.  I had walked away from my love and passion and chose to get a job working in the construction industry.  I learned that being away from what made me whole and being in something I hated was a formula for unhappiness.  But I knew where to go to find happiness again.  I went back to the path toward my goals and dreams, picked up my bass and began pursuit of the joy of performing.

It didn’t take long for me to land a position with an Indianapolis-based cover band, Apostrophe S.  While playing for Apostrophe S, I formed a band of highly-talented musicians called Collosus.  Collosus played heavier, hard rock music, the kind I first learned when playing with Free Radical.

I wanted to be one of the the best bass players in the world and I studies and practices every day.  I thought that my goal would be best reached by finding great teachers to help me, so I applied for admission at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.  I committed my time and energy to the  development of my audition piece, "Donna Lee" as performed by one of my biggest influences, Jaco Pastorius.  I got my audition at Berklee College, but I was made anxious by Berklee’s very-low 30% acceptance rate.  I should not have been concerned.  I was accepted into the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

I looked upon the opportunity to join the student body at Berklee as a fresh start for myself.  A chance to learn from masters, and to develop a network of friends that had similar goals and passion.  However, again, I chose performing over school, and I am now pleased with that decision. 

I continues to play with Collosus and Apostrophe S at occasional performances, but he is most excited to be a part of Corey Cox’s band.  I  had no prior experience, as a listener or performer, in the country music industry, but am excited to be a part of this band.  Corey is rising quickly as a future star and I love the music and venues I now play.  I  have a bigger audience than ever before for whom I can pursue my passion of performing.  The people who come out to see Corey’s shows get a great night of entertainment and the opportunity to see a rising country star, and they get to see one of  the best bass players in music today.

ACHIEVEMENTS :

- Indiana Honor Band 2002 (trombone)

- 4 gold medals at State Solo and Ensemble contests 2003-2006( trombone)

- Indiana Winter Drum Line State Champion 2005 (Bass guitar)

- Accepted to Ball State School of Music 2006

- Accepted to Berklee College of Music 2008

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