Mike Lowe is a Surry County native who lives in a log house on Stewart's Creek with his wife, Carol and daughter, Maggie. Mike started playing guitar before the age of ten. He was virtually surrounded by musicians. His grandpa played banjo and fiddle; his dad played banjo and guitar; and his mother played piano. He was also surrounded by their music: old-time country, gospel, and hymns. Although now able to play several instruments, Mike's first love was and still is the guitar. He started learning from "pickers" who came by to make music with his dad. . .folks like Kyle Creed, Wilson Ramey and Paul Sutphin. All these musicians would stop and take time to show "the kid" something. These influences motivated him until the fifth grade, then a small pocket transistor radio introduced Mike to the blues. While it was different, blues still had elements of the old-time music. That was Mike's start in a new direction. The radio actually served to teach Mike two things: the blues, obviously, but more importantly, how to hear music. Since then, music influences have included classical, Chet Atkins-style picking, jazz, rock and roll, folk and Celtic. Over the last 50 years, these influences, along with a desire to create his own music, have enticed Mike to work at playing.
Mike is an accomplished songwriter, musician, storyteller, interpreter of history and classroom instructor. He has performed in studios, classrooms, theaters, churches, libraries, special events and festivals, as well as on stage. Mike has written and directed plays and has conducted writing/storytelling workshops for both students and teachers. He has released original CDs of stories, songs and music. To listen to Mike is a harmonious blend of all the styles and all the people and all the effort. . .it's music.