Born and raised in Layton, Utah, Mike purchased his first guitar and began playing music during his first year of High School (1975). By the time he had graduated, he was learning to play the banjo and had formed his first folk/rock trio. While still in high school, Mike began researching and performing old time cowboy and pioneer songs. This obsession with songs "native" to the west soon made Mike a popular performer at events such as the Festival of the American West where he has entertained for the past twenty five years.
Over the years, Mike has taught private lessons, recorded as a studio musician, competed in (and won) music competitions, been part owner in a music store, and has performed throughout the western states; his music has been featured in movies, television series, and a PBS documentary.
Although he considers himself to be a folk singer, Mike is widly regarded as one of the finest clawhammer style banjo players anywhere and has conducted instrumental workshops on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and improvisation (music theory).
Mike is interested in many styles of music and has now been performing professionally for over twenty five years.
The following is a partial list of Mike's ensembles along with the instruments he was featured on:
Homegrown (1978-79) - banjo, mandolin, harmonica, vocals
-This folk/rock trio was put together by Dick Davis of the Weber State College Program Bureau as an official college ensemble. As such, they represented Weber State at various events along the Wasatch Front.
Hawgwash (1979-83?) - banjo, mandolin, vocals
-A bluegrass trio based in Logan. Performed at various events including the Park City Bluegrass Festival, Golden Spike Celebration (Promontory Point), Bluegrass Express Festival (Ogden), Golden Spike National Fiddle Contest (Ogden).
Bitter Creek (1981-85?) - mandolin, vocals
-Bluegrass band that performed at many special events including the Roosevelt Bluegrass Festival, Fort Buenaventura Bluegrass Rendezvous (Ogden), Park City Bluegrass Festival, Provo Freedom Festival, and the concert series held at the O.C. Tanner Amphitheater outside of Zions National Park.
Powder Ridge (1987-92) - mandolin, banjo, band leader
-A critically acclaimed bluegrass/newgrass band that performed at festivals all over the intermountain west. Mike was leading this band when it took first place honors at the prestigious national bluegrass band competition held at the Telluride bluegrass festival in Colorado. Powder Ridge "opened" for many national acts including Bob Dylan.
McKay/Iverson Duo (1992 to present) - classical mandolin
-A classical guitar and mandolin duo that performs material from the baroque to the modern. This duo features pieces by such diverse composers as Bach, Debussy, Mozart, Grieg, and Bartok. The duo performs mainly at private parties and weddings, but does the occasional public performance at events such as the Layton concerts in the park series.
Rainbow Factory (1994 to 2004) - banjo, acoustic and electric mandolins, jawharp, and harmonica.
-A trio that performed fun, interactive songs for children. In every Rainbow Factory show, the audience was continually involved with singing and motions. Various music topics were discussed and the children exposed to a variety of instruments. This group was selected twice for the Utah Performing Arts Tour and performed for many events including the Utah Arts Festival.
Brenn Hill Band (1998 to 2004) - mandolin, banjo, guitar , vocals
-One of the rising stars in the national western music world, Brenn Hill's music lies somewhere between bluegrass, folk and traditional western. One of the best of the contemporary cowboy song writers, Brenn is as adept at the classic art of cowboy poetry as he is at music. Mike toured with Brenn throughout the West where they performed at such events as the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering, Michael Martin Murphey's Westfest, Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the Gene Autry Theater (Los Angeles), and a tour of military bases in Alaska (sponsored by the national Western Music Association).
Blue Sage (1992 to Present) - guitar, banjo, vocals, band leader
-This ensemble is a unique acoustic folk trio who's songs reflect the culture and history of the west. Mike's first love has always been the traditional folk songs of the American west and Blue Sage was built around his repertoire of western folk songs.