In 2010, Mick Sterling is celebrating his 30th year in the music business. His career, like any musician doing it as long as he has, has experienced many changes, highlights, low-lights and everything in between. What may be of interest to all of you is that even after all of this time, Sterling is finding new musical challenges and more excited about being in the music business than ever before.
Within those 30 years, Sterling has transformed himself from a young and energetic lead singer of throw-together bands in to one of the most recognized names in the Twin Cities music scene. His band he led for 17 years and recently inducted in to the Mid-West Music Hall of Fame, MICK STERLING AND THE STUD BROTHERS, falls in the category of the other legendary Twin Cities Soul and R&B bands such as Doug Maynard, Willie and the Bees, Lamont Cranston and others. The band ended regular performances in 2005, but are happy to announce future periodic shows at their home base of BUNKERS MUSIC BAR AND GRILL starting in 2011.
Sterling is also the leader of many musically diverse bands that perform in nightclubs, summer festivals and theaters all over the region. THE IRRESISTIBLES, www.irresistiblesmusic.com is a 9-piece powerhouse band that can best be described as THE COMMITMENTS, meets OTIS REDDING at MONTEREY meets AMY WINEHOUSE. Sharing lead vocals, Cate Fierro and Shalo Lee compliment Sterling, along with a killer rhythm and horn section that have made The Irresistibles one of the must-see bands in the region.
Another project for Sterling is ZED'S DEAD, an all-Tarantino love-fest that performs songs from Quentin Tarantino soundtracks. This 9-piece band is featured once a month at Lee's Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis and is quickly becoming an irresistible treat for club-goers in the Twin Cities area.
MEMPHIS AND THE MEANTIMES is Sterling's ode to Sun Records and the Grand Ole Opry. Again, this band is large and hugely talented.
Sterling is also performing acoustically with his MICK STERLING & HIS BAND featuring some of the top players and singers in town.
Recently, Sterling has also performed many solo/acoustic shows as he recently picked up playing the guitar. This particular presentation surprises many of Sterling's fans who are so used to seeing him perform with larger bands.
All of these musical outlets may be confusing for some who know Sterling in one way, but for Sterling, it reflects his wide array of musical styles.
Since 1994, Sterling has also been known as a musician who likes to give back. The founder of the respected and highly successful HEART & SOUL concerts for ONE HEARTLAND, (formerly Camp Heartland, a place for kids impacted by HIV/AIDS) raised nearly $500,000 in the 90's. Sterling's new non-profit is called THE 30-DAYS FOUNDATION, www.The30-Daysfoundation.org This organization celebrates the simple act of kindness by providing financial grants for real life issues that all of us experience.
Mick Sterling is continuing to explore new musical boundaries and finding new ways to communicate with his established audience and new ears to experience his music and philanthropic efforts.
