New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Singer-songwriter Mike Aiken, whose latest CD, Wayward Troubadour (Northwind Records), has drawn rave reviews and exceptional radio airplay, joined forces with renowned performer Henry Paul (Blackhawk, The Outlaws, Henry Paul Band) to create his new single, "Two Lane Highway," which is set for digital release October 25 and available in advance thru all platforms at https://orcd.co/2lanehwy.
"Two Lane Highway" was written by Mike Aiken and Henry Paul, recorded in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee, and included on Aiken's Wayward Troubadour album released last year. As a special guest on the recording, Henry Paul played mandolin and sang background vocals along with Amy Aiken.
Wayward Troubadour was the anticipated follow-up to his Grammy-nominated album, Captains & Cowboys (produced by Dan Baird of the Georgia Satellites). In addition to Mike's vocals and stellar guitar work, the band that Aiken put together for Wayward Troubadour included Kenny Vaughan (Marty
Stuart Band) on electric guitars;
David Roe on stand-up bass; Amy Aiken on background vocals and percussion; and guest writer Chris P
James of The Burrito Brothers.
"Henry and I got together in Henry's studio in Atlanta to write," recalls Aiken about the session. "We started talking about our backgrounds and came to discover we both spent our childhoods in rural New York State. Exploring those memories took us down a literal and figurative 'two lane highway' of our memories and where life can take you.
"I was lucky to catch Henry in Nashville with four free hours before he boarded his bus and got him in the studio to sing background vocals and a signature, cameo part. Henry Paul has a very distinctive voice that worked really well with mine and Amy's on the harmonies.
"The CD was greeted with universal rave reviews from the media:"Mike Aiken's new release is one of those summertime Americana 'kick back and hang out' collections perfect to pop in the stereo and launch into the season." - Americana Highways
"With so much fake country music hogging the airwaves, it's downright refreshing -- like a cool mountain breeze -- to hear such a Wayward Troubadour as Mike Aiken." - Aquarian Weekly
"Mike Aiken delivers an album rooted in traditional country, with moments of Western Swing that will fit very nicely in your summer playlist… These are songs that will have you smiling and head-bobbing and generally feeling carefree.
Sounds good, doesn't it? Just wait until you hear this album."- Parcbench.Live - New York City
"Mike is something of a floating
John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder." - Sail Magazine
Speaking about the new digital single, "Two Lane Highway," Aiken exclaimed, "I had a ball writing this tune with Henry Paul. It was something I had wanted to do for quite a while. Icing on the cake was finishing the song the next morning 'round the kitchen table while Henry made killer pancakes!
Aiken recently completed his very successful annual Aiken &
Friends Fest at Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, a three-day event of ticketed and free music performances, songwriting workshops and other fun activities for the whole family, which was headlined by the Mike and Amy Aiken band. The duo is currently on an extended tour of the South, Midwest and Southwest in the U.S. as well as several dates in Canada.
About Mike Aiken
Mike & Amy Aiken's music can be described as Americana, Folk and
Roots with an ocean view. Mike Aiken's vast treasure chest of experiences and mastery of varied stringed instruments have contributed to a catalogue of music that cannot be defined by one genre or style. This well-traveled Virginia songwriter and sea captain may have been born in the wrong century. Aiken has drawn tales - and hope - from trail riders, aging rodeo champs, sea captains, Rastafarians and outlaws, to craft tunes that draw the threads of these independent spirits together. Amy Aiken, Mike's musical and adventuring partner from stage to sea, brings her own sincerity and personality to the duo, delivering sweet harmony vocals and tasty percussion. Each is a licensed US Coast Guard Captain, has sailed over 30,000 blue-water miles, and logged countless miles on the road performing in North
America and Europe. Together they have also logged seven studio albums, one first-round Grammy nomination, #1 and #13 in Europe, five songs Top 25 US charts.
Mike and Amy Aiken recently signed a new management and booking agreement with Steve Johnson of the
Bonfire Music Group Management: https://www.bonfiremusicgroup.com/management/.
www.mikeaikenmusic.com
