Off the mic with mike
Q: How did you get into music?
:Growing up, I listened to music all the time. My family did too. It wasn’t enough to just listen, I wanted to know who performed the song, who wrote it, what bands the artist played in. However, I didn’t know how to play an instrument. I was a really good athlete, and knew I couldn’t get a college education unless I earned an athletic scholarship. I played basketball at IUPUI and majored in Physical Education. I was under the delusion that I would be a great teacher and coach. Early on, my focus was basketball related. That very sport took me all over the U.S. I spent hours practicing.
Q: How did basketball segue into music?:After I finished with basketball, I got a job working for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. My grandfather was terminally ill when I was 27. One day at the hospital, he told me, in so many words, that he gave his entire adult life to the Ford Motor Company and he regretted it. He said he wished he’d played music. The man had an opportunity to be a Little Rascal and a minor league baseball player as a kid, but his parents said it wasn’t an honorable living. So, he worked a factory job that he hated most of his life. I realized then, I did not want to live like that.
Q: So your grandfather inspired you?:Yes he did, I got a guitar and learned to play. Ultimately quit my lucrative job and moved to Kentucky to play music. My mother’s side of the family is from Liberty. My grandparents moved to Indianapolis in 1949 for work.
Q: Is your family still in Indianapolis?:Family these days is relegated to my mother, Janet Archer, and yes she still lives in Indianapolis. No matter her age, I’ve been wishing her a happy 100th birthday for the past 25 years!
Q: How did you decide to play guitar as opposed to another musical instrument?:The reason I started playing guitar was directly related to my favorite musicians: John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Jim Croce, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett and The Beatles. If I had to pick only one, it would be Mellencamp. Growing up in Indianapolis, I think it’s required, by law, that you listen to his music. At least it was in the 80’s. I remember my father bringing home a 45 single from Swann’s Record Store of “Johnny Cougar” singing “Ain’t Even Done With the Night”. I was never the same. I actually got to meet Mellencamp years later while working at the Speedway.
Q: So you also worked for Disney Cruise Lines for a few years, what was that like?:Working for Disney is like anything else: there are good times and bad. The pay was good and the travel was great. I made a lot of good friends through my travels and was successful on the ship. I was hoping it would springboard me into something bigger and better with the company, but I was wrong. However, I learned so much working for Disney. The main thing is when you are working on stage you’re always “in character”. Meaning, you’re doing your job no matter what. There is no excuse for having a bad day, smile and be friendly. Do the absolute best you can, no matter what may be going on in your personal life. You worry about that in private! Not only is this true for the life of a musician, but everyone.
Q: What’s a day in the life of Mike Archer?:Practice Practice Practice every day! I also get in my exercise to stay in shape. My General Manager, Sarah Trent Emmons, books all my shows and appearances, takes care of all my social media and handles the business side of things. She takes a ton of pressure off of me. If is wasn’t for Sarah, I might be working a 9-to-5 job and be miserable. I used to have a radio show and would like to pursue that again in the future.
Q: What’s it like playing for smaller venues/crowds?:My solo show is different from entertaining with a full band. I do it the hard way: me and a guitar. No frills, and I’ve done fairly well. It’s tough convincing folks that one man can be entertaining enough. And, truthfully, it’s not just me performing; it’s the audience too. They sing, dance, and participate in my banter. It’s a group effect.
Q: With your busy touring schedule, do your ever get to take a vacation?:As far as vacations, I don’t take any. What I do is pair traveling with my music. Sarah travels with me on the road, we laugh a lot and always have a great time. When we travel to Florida, for example, it’s gotten to the point where people love my show! It’s weird. In Kentucky, I play for restaurants and such and most people aren’t there specifically to see Mike Archer. In Florida, the venue owners are trying to talk us into moving there so I can play every day and night if I wish. I also play BBQ festivals and fairs in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, etc.. People hire me to play gigs at their home…two even built a stage especially for me to perform in their backyard! My point is: my vacations include playing a gig somewhere and enjoying myself on the road.
Q: Anything else you would like to share?:Yes, contact Sarah and book a house party, private or corporate event. mikearcher.sarah@gmail.com Follow us on social media and check out a show. Most importantly, from Sarah and myself, thanks to our family and friends for supporting us and sharing so many good times. Hope to see you soon on my music travels!