Mike Lopez, native American Chumash, was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. He has been singing and playing guitar since he was ten years old, and has always been influenced by Blues and Jazz. At the early age of thirteen Mike formed his first band and at fifteen he composed his first song, entitled “Easy Chair”. When Mike was eighteen he moved to Portland Oregon where he spent fourteen years with the Western Swing band, The Beaver Trail Boys. During those years the band did a number of recordings. In response to the 1980 eruption of Mt. Saint Helens the band recorded “We Want Lava” that became a local hit and was played extensively on the Dr. Denmento radio show. In 1986 Mike returned to his home in Santa Barbara and formed The Goods. Returning to his roots his band played a variety of Blues, Jazz, Rock and Country as well as some of his original tunes. Mike has always created new venues for himself and in the mid-90’s he began The Mesa Concert Series which featured his band sharing the stage with many well known artist including: Kim Wilson, Coco Montoya, Terry Robb, Junior Watson, Mitch Kashmar, Debbie Davies, and more. He has also shared the stage with such artist as Leon Russell, Dave Mason, TJ Parker, Clifton Chenier, Joe Cocker and others. Mike has played an incredible variety of styles throughout his career and those influences are evident in his songwriting today. The influence of his family also hold an important role in Mike’s songwriting. His rich family history extends back to the indigenous people of the central west coast. His grandfather and grandmother were part Chumash who lived along the central coast in the early 1900’s. Mike has written numerous songs about his family’s lives and named his first CD after his grandfather, “Mike Lopez and The Vaqueros”. Presently Mike lives in Oceano, California where he continues to perform music throughout the United States with excellent musicians. Mike is continuing to write and he performs his original music with Barrett Nelson of San Mateo, California. Guitarist Barrett Nelson has been playing for 38 years---performing since he was 11 years old. His musical abilities also include songwriting, arranging, composing, and vocals. In addition to extensive studio and live performances, Barrett has worked with Et Teatro Campesino, San Francisco Mime Troupe and with Jazz and Blues legend Barbara Dane. Look for Mike’s CD, “Little Bit of Sunshine...” to be released in 2007. Festivals & Shows: Live Oak Music Festival -2006 (Mike Lopez & Barrett Nelson) Santa Barbara Bowl- 2002 (Mike Lopez w/ a seven piece band) Santa Ynez Mission- 2000 (Mike Lopez w/ a seven piece band) First Night Santa Barbara, Sunken Garden- 2000 (Mike Lopez w/ a seven piece band) Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History- 1998, 1999, 2001(Mike Lopez w/ a seven piece band)