Bio
Mike "Lightnin'" Wells was raised in North Carolina and has had an interest in traditional forms of music since childhood. An avid collector of country and blues recordings, these formed the basis for his developing style of playing and singing using a variety of acoustic instruments, including the guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and harmonica.
Variety is a trademark of Wells' musical style and he attempts to educate as well as entertain audiences in his various performances. A Lightnin' Wells performance is a spirited, exciting interpretation of folk blues classics and obscure material based on his over 20 years of experience, performance and research.
Performance Highlights
Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago, IL, 2000
Blues Al Femmenile for Centro Jazz Torino, Turin/Piedmont Region, Italy, 1998
Blues to Bop Festival, Lugano, Switzerland, 1998
Lababdoux Festival, Inglemunster, Belgium, 1996
Moulin Blues Festival, Ospel, Holland, 1996
Port Townsend Blues Workshop & Festival, Port Townsend, WA, 1993, 1995, 1996
Bull Durham Blues Festival, Durham, NC 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000
Festival for the Eno, Durham, NC 1981-2000
Lincoln Center Gospel and Blues Festival, NY, 1988
Penn's Landing Concert, Philadelphia, PA, 1984
Recordings
Ragged but Right, (Music Maker Recording MMCD 26) 2002
Ragtime Millionaire (New Moon 9820) 1998
Bull Frog Blues (New Moon 9507) 1995 (See quotes)
Featured on Shoo Fly, an audio magazine for children, Vol. 2 No. 1 (cassette) 1995
Featured on The American Fogies Vol.2 compilation of American folk music (Rounder 0389) 1996
Production
Algia Mae Hinton, Honey Babe: Blues, Folk Tunes and Gospel from North Carolina (Hin-Tone 82929) 1996
Big Boy Henry, Poor Man's Blues (New Moon 9508) 1995, Co-produced and performed on release
Algia Mae Hinton, Piedmont Blues Traditions, EP (Audio Arts, 1986)
Performance Review Quotes
"He seems to have an endless supply of worlds in his head to sing. He puts these elements together with confidence and flair. Wells does full justice to the expressive traditions he carries on." ~Bill Newton, Durham Morning Herald
"A veritable bottomless pit of songs and techniques, Wells should be declared a state resource, placed on the endangered species list, and given his own habitat to practice his craft." ~Bob Burtman, Spectator Magazine
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