MikeBurkeMusic.com

I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem for the Lakers at The Staples Center recently and it was quite the experience. I had sung for the Clippers as well as the Nationals (MLB) before, but when I got the call from the Lakers organization, I was beyond excited.

Arriving at The Staples Center and meeting some of the people that make each game happen was pretty amazing. It’s fascinating to actually see how much goes in to just one game; such a production. Everyone I met was very welcoming and very hospitable. From the staff at the restaurants to the ushers on the floor, everyone had a smile on their face.

I want to thank the Lakers organization for having me and for making it such a memorable experience!

Well the Malibu Music Awards were on Sunday Sept 22nd, and I’m very happy to say that my song, If We Could See, won Song of the year!! I was so surprised that I won, so much so that at the time they called my name I was in the back at the bar with a friend. But I couldn’t be happier about winning the award!

I had to walk up to the stage then actually give a small speech. For those of you that don’t know, I am a terrible public speaker. I had a stutter as a kid and for some reason, it decides to peak it’s head out when I speak in front of people. Singing, I’m fine, but once I have to speak…look out! haha.

Before I went to the awards, I was on the phone with a friend who told me something pretty amazing about when you’re about to get on stage and speak in front of people (just in case I had to). Instead of thinking about being nervous, think about what you’re grateful for. Not just at the awards, but what you’re grateful for in life. It completely changes your mindset and well, it worked for me.

Thank you to my family and friends, all of which support me on a daily basis and have always pushed me to really pursue my dreams. I also want to thank Bill Lefler who produced If We Could See and the other songs that are on my latest album. Thanks to the people of Malibu for allowing me to play for them each week and taking me into their community.

More to come soon and thanks again to everyone for the support!

I am very pleased to announce that my song, If We Could See, has been nominated for the 2012 Malibu Music Awards. I will be playing all week at different venues around Malibu, so be sure to check my Gig Calendar. The winners will be announced at the awards show Sat Sept. 22nd. Thanks to everyone for their continued support; I wouldn’t be anywhere without all of you. Thank you!

Psyched to have been chosen by Songwriter Universe for song of the month and Singer Universe as vocalist of the month for “If We Could See”! Thanks to both sites!

http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/

Thanks to USA Today for putting together this amazing video for our Burn Camp. These kids have been through so much but always have a positive attitude. I’ve learned and continue to learn more and more every year from them. I hope this video inspires you as it does so for me. Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp

BUY BRACELETS HERE!!! Be Happy & Help Others

Be Happy & Help Others, is a pretty simple message. It’s a slogan I use throughout my life and my music, which I would love to now share with you.

Everyone on this earth wants to be happy. Whether its by attaining great wealth, helping someone else with a problem, or eating a delicious peanut butter sandwich, we do these things to try to fill our lives with happiness. Everyone on this earth also needs help at some point. Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand or making someone else a peanut butter sandwich haha, we all need help. Helping others makes us happy. I can’t think of a time when I helped someone, and didn’t feel happy in return. So imagine if everyone in the world was more aware and thought to help others more often. We’d have a bunch of happy people on our hands.

For several years, I’ve worked with different organizations that share these same values. These groups are made up of amazing people that just want to make a difference, large or small, in other peoples lives. Click on the links to learn more about how you can help.

Mid Atlantic Burn Camp – This is an annual camp for children ages 8-17 who are burn survivors. It’s held in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia and trust me, once you go, you are hooked…I certainly am.

Music 4 More – This is an organization that helps school and community music programs by raising money as well as donating instruments. In just 3 short years, they have done so much to help so many schools and communities keep their music programs alive.

Together We Rise – A group of college students started this organization because it was simply the right thing to do. TWR’s goal is to improve the lives of the foster children in this country who are often forgotten and even neglected by the public.

CHAP International – This group embarks on a journey each year to Liberia, West Africa, to aid the war-torn nation by providing health care, clothing, food provisions, education and even building orphanages. I’m fortunate enough to be able to travel with this group on their next trip in Feb 2013.

The music I write/perform is mainly about being positive, enjoying life’s journey, but also helping others along the way. As a way to pass this message along, I created these bracelets that simply say “Be Happy & Help Others”. These bracelets are also a USB flash drive which come preloaded with my newest/unreleased album.

Since the organizations above do so much for so many, I’m going to donate half the proceeds of the sale of these bracelets, to be split between the 4 of them. So please wear them, spread the word and help me pass along the message to Be Happy & Help Others.

To get your bracelets, please click here: Be Happy & Help Others

Thanks all!

March 20th 2012, the first day of Spring, I’ll be releasing my new single, “Not Just Another Day”. I couldn’t be more excited about this release. This is one of the first songs I wrote after moving to LA, and it’s definitely one of my favorites.

“Not Just Another Day” is about following your dreams. Everyday is another chance to change your life and to show the world what you can do. ANYONE can achieve their dream, you just have to believe in yourself and never stop trying.

This song was produced by Bill Lefler who I’ll also be working with to finish my EP in the next couple months titled “If We Could See”. On that record will also be songs produced by Hiram Mac, as well as one of the reasons I started playing music, my cousin Kirk Smith of Madison Line Records. We grew up playing music together so I’m pretty stoked to finally work together.

The Artwork on the single was done by Ernie Steiner of RedCap Studios, a truly gifted artist who I’ve known for over 10 years. We also share the same birthday, so our 21st Bday was a difficult night for many around us haha.

As always thank you for your support, it really means the world to me.

Be Happy and Help Others.

I was recently featured in The Rising Hollywood (TRH). Check out the article!

http://www.therisinghollywood.com/2011/11/19/its-a-smooth-mix-with-rising-singersongwriter-mike-burke/

The last stop on my east coast lineup was not a typical venue that I have played at, but I can assure you I will play there again. My Grand Mother lives in an assisted living home outside Boston where she’s been for a couple years or so. I visit her when I’m home since we are pretty close and we chat about what’s new in my life as well as hers. There are many other folks in this place and it’s actually a very nice facility with an amazing staff so I’m happy she’s there.

I knew that I was going to be home in Boston for a few days so I called up the activities director and asked if I could come in and play some songs for the folks there since my Grand-ma (her name is June so everyone’s always called her June-Bug, so I’ll refer to her as ‘G-Ma June-Bug’) lives there. They were happy to have me so we set a date.

I arrived at the assisted living home, took the elevator up to the second floor and walked into the room where I was performing. I turned the corner to find about 30-40 people in the room all in wheelchairs, let me tell you I have never walked into a venue to see this…it was pretty awesome. G-Ma June-Bug was front row with her posse, she runs the crew there btw so much so that she keeps the clicker to the main living room TV, in her purse haha…amazing.

I decided to put together a mix of songs. I played songs like Earth Angel, Brown Eyed Girl, Let it Be, some Ray Charles, even Shake Rattle and Roll. I even played When Irish Eyes are Smiling which EVERYONE knew the words to and were singing along to; that was pretty amazing. The last song was for my G-Ma June-Bug called Ne me quitte pas, a french song she has always loved. All in all it was a pretty amazing experience and I can’t wait to go back in December for the Holiday edition (I sing a mean Rudolph the red nose reindeer).

I can’t express how thankful people were that I went there and played for them, I had no idea it really meant that much to them. Here these folks are, all who have lived amazing lives, tell amazing stories that will keep you listening for hours (especially G-Ma June-Bug), traveled to amazing places, but what now makes their day, and what connects them all is sitting together listening to music.

So I guess it’s not about who you are, what you do, or where you’ve been, music brings us all together.

Wow, October flew by and I loved every second of it. I’ve been traveling around playing shows on the east and west coast for most of the month seeing family, seeing friends as well as making new ones. I couldn’t ask for a better way to spend my time. On top of that, I got to play at some great venues and help a great cause.

Music 4 More http://www.music4more.org is a fantastic organization started by my friend Deidra Stevens. This charitable organization provides financial support as well as instrument donations to struggling music programs in schools so children can experience the joy of music education. There is no question that music helps children in many ways. From social interaction to intellectual stimulation, music helps children become more well rounded individuals which in turn shapes their future.

The Alternate Routes was the main band touring around the east coast playing in venues and even schools to promote this charity. The Alternate Routes are a great bunch of guys and I was lucky enough to open for them in Boston, Bridgeport and Baltimore. I was also able to play in New York at The Bitter End which is my favorite place to play in NYC. The folks there are like no other and I appreciate them always having me back.

If you would like to get involved in Music 4 More, please visit their website mentioned above. Any little bit helps!

Be happy and help others.