MIke started playing guitar in 1963 inspired by his first guitar hero, Dick Dale, “King of the surf guitar.” He moved to Washington DC in 1973 to experience Roy Buchanan and was soon
became friends with guitar genius, Danny Gatton.
He toured and performed on Hee Haw with big Al Downing in the mid 70s and in 1989 joined
Stanley Dural Jr, Buckwheat Zydeco & The IIs Sont Partis Band. In 2010 their CD “Lay
Your Burden Down“ was awarded a Grammy for Best Roots and Zydeco Group.
He toured nationally and internationally until his death in 2016 the toured with Crown Prince of Zydeco, CJ Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band. He retired from the road in 2022.
In 2018 I moved to the Central Coast while still touring out of Houston Texas. I retired
from the road in 2022. Now I am looking forward to what the future may bring.
Discography:
*Danny and the Fat Boys- Danny Gatton - Aladdin Records
*Story Behind the Story – Big Al Downing – Warner Brothers
*On Track- Buckwheat Zydeco – Charisma/Virgin/EMI
*5 Card Stud - Buckwheat Zydeco - Tomorrow’s record
*Choo-choo Boogaloo – Buckwheat Zydeco – Warner Brothers ( Music for Little People)
*Trouble - Buckwheat Zydeco - Tomorrow’s records
*Bayou Boogie - Buckwheat Zydeco -
Warner Brothers (Music for Little People)
*Various Complications - Buckwheat Zydeco - Lay Your Burden Down - Alligator records
(Grammy winner)
*Blue Collar Guitar - Mike Melchione - Independent Lab
PERFROMANCE WITH
Lonnie Mack
Bobby Parker (DC Blues Legand)
Danny Gatton
Ronnie Baker Brooks (BB King Tribute)
Tommy Castro (BB King Tribute)
Sonny Landreth
Billy Hancock
Cathy Ponton King
Paul lil Buck Sinegal
CC Adcock
SHOWS WITH
James Brown. Hank Williams Jr. Kim Wilson. Buddy Guy
Delbert Mclinton. Jim Weider Band. Bobby Rush The Red Elvis’s
Charlie Musselwhite. Jr Walker and the All Stars Taj Mahall. Chris Isaak
Barbara Lynn. Marcia Ball Tab Benoit. George Jones