I first met 17 year old high school senior Mike Turnini in Shiner Texas, I think he showed up to see a band of mine play, or maybe it was one of Brea’s solo shows. When I heard he played music, I was interested. There is something about a person who lives in a tiny town doing things their way. You see, Mike comes from Shiner Texas, it’s the same town that Brea, Mdawg and Dean hail from. There isn’t much there as far as youth culture, even if the place is rich in beer and country music culture. Mike kind of reminds us of… well… us when we were his age. In an age when most kids are still trying to even find out the type of person they are, Mike is out there writing his own music and trying to make something happen. “A lot of my music is about leaving, trying to leave… I want to get out of here so bad, but at the same time, it’s kind of sad because I am a senior in high school and I am about to leave, I have no idea what I’m going to do, it’s exciting and scary.” Mike said. Mike went on to do his own shows. At first only attracting 5 or 6 friends, but now with his guerrilla shows he promotes on facebook, he can attract a quick crowd in his local park of an easy 30 or so people. (not a bad feat for a kid with a grassroots campaign and no like minded people to share a stage with) Mike takes his acoustic rock sound ala Frank Turner-ish attitude to any ear he can. Now Mike is trying his luck online in the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands to try to get on the Warped Tour. All you have to do is vote… You can go here… listen to Mike and Vote here… Why is this important? Mike is young, he’s got all the intensity and great attitude a musician should have, being from this town and not dealing with shitty promoters and bands with terrible egos have let him keep his optimism, and it shows. He’s a genuine nice guy who plays like the devil. He has taken a situation of no support and turned it into something awesome by throwing his own grassroots shows. When we talk to you about DIY and doing things your own way, I could do no worse than to show you Mike as an example. He does things right. He deserves something good to happen to him. I invite you to help him do so…