When it all began: 1958, Mike Waggoner & the Bops

Background

Thank you for visiting my site! - I am a veteran "throwback, old school" rock and blues tenor sax player from the Twin Cities of Minnesota specializing in blues, blues rock, rockabilly and R&B. I have played with a wide variety of blues based bands in and around the Twin Cities. I cut my teeth playing early rock, rockabilly and surf rock in the late '50's progressing to classic rock, R & B and blues. And in 2004, after a LONG hiatus to raise a family and build/run a business, I retired from the business world and returned to my horn! I've always concentrated and put special emphasis on tone; my forte has been my distinctive/signature sound -  patterned after my mentor and friend, the late, great Clarence Clemons and blues legend Eddie Shaw - incorporating a lot of growl and a bright, aggressive, edgy tone. I was also influenced by Rolling Stone's Bobby Keys and Michael "Tunes" Antunes of Eddie & the Cruisers fame. In the Twin Cities I am known as the "Godfather of Growl". I am also a professional endorser for both Theo Wanne Mouthpiece & Instruments and AMT Instrument Microphones. I am presently semi-retired from active gigging but running a weekly jam - The Apple Jam - Monday nights at Wild Bills Saloon in Apple Valley,, a very popular open mic jam.!

Photos by Douglas Jenkins 2013

News

The Apple Jam

I am hosting a weekly open mic jam in Apple Valley MN, Mondays 7 - 10:30 PM at Wild Bills Saloon.. It is attracting all levels of talent from local professionals to intermediates and solo acts as well as bands. The jam is fast becoming one of the best in the state

About The Fedoras

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