Article and Photos by Aaron Porter
I’m going to get this out of the way now: The Mike Wheeler Band is one of my favorites, full stop. When Larry, Cleo, Ronnie and Mike are on stage, it’s fun, it’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and they are always, always on point. Their performance is all the things you hope a live show will be. Part of what makes that possible is that they’ve been friends, bandmates and peers for decades. Decades is an important word here because when you’re at the show you might think you’re watching a bunch of 20 somethings; the energy, the electricity, and the smiles will absolutely transport you. There’s a saying in the blues community: If you’ve got the blues, the blues can take them away. From the first time I saw them perform in 2006 to when I saw them this past January (and the 25 or so times in between), this maxim has always proved itself true.
Aaron Porter: Mike, how are you? It’s been a while. What have you been up to this year?
Mike Wheeler: I’m doing fine. Just trying to stay busy and keeping the band working.
AP: Are you still with Delmark?
MW: Yes. I’m still with Delmark Records. That’s home!
AP: Word is that they have been collecting/signing more and more artists recently, are there plans over there for something big?
MW: Yes. They’ve signed some of my friends. The Nu Blu Band, Sheryl Youngblood and Jamiah Rogers. Some good music is coming!
AP: Your career has spanned at least 3 decades, what keeps you motivated, what spurs your creativity?
MW: I love playing music and that keeps me motivated. My creativity comes from my environment. Being around people and hearing conversations.
AP: You’ve played the Buddy Guy’s Legends New Years Eve party for the last 10 or so years, how did you come upon that gig? Do you like playing holiday gigs?
MW: Marc Maddox books the club and asked if I wanted to do New Year’s Eve. That’s my wife’s birthday so it worked out perfectly. It’s an annual thing now.
AP: You’ve said you had a day job for about 30 years and you didn’t really care for it, what was it?
MW: I worked at UIC Hospital in the housekeeping department. It was a great job with great benefits but I didn’t want to be there. I wanted to play music.
AP: How did your life change mentally and emotionally after leaving it to become a musician?MW: Once I retired I was in control of my whole day. I could do anything I wanted to. So mentally and emotionally I was free.
AP: You’ve said that without your wife none of what you’ve accomplished would have been possible. Were there times when she had to convince you to keep pursuing music or did it feel like things just fell into place once you decided on it?
MW: She’s been in my corner from the beginning. If she saw that I was getting discouraged or wasn’t trying as hard as I could she would say something. She financed my first cd because she said I needed my own record. Things fell in place after that.
AP: Are you familiar with the rise of A.I. art and music? Any theories on why the arts are constantly under attack from so many different sources, whether it be A.I., politicians, or other entities?
MW: I don’t know much about A.I. but I do know that people are always trying to find a way to do things quicker and cheaper. Technology is always moving forward.
AP: Have you ever encountered anyone who attempted to dismiss your art through your years?
MW: I have but I don’t let negativity bother me. If you focus on what you’re doing you don’t have time to worry about what someone else is doing.
AP: You’ve mentioned before that when you thought about your musical legacy that you wanted to be one of original music that spoke to who you are. Do you still think about your music legacy or has playing and performing regularly changed how you think about your future?
MW: I still feel the same way. When you write songs they aren’t all about you but you should feel comfortable about them and what they say. It’s like being an actor in a movie. You have to be able to make people feel what you’re saying.
AP: As a band you’ve been playing for over 20 years, that is a feat achieved by very few, do you have a secret to a healthy working relationship/environment?
MW: As a bandleader you have to make your band feel that they’re a part of something. Not that they are there just to back you up. I make sure my guys have their time to shine. We’re more than just a band. We’re friends. We have ups and downs but we get through it and move on. If they have something to say I listen like I want them to listen to me.
AP: You self published your first album Mike Wheeler Band, can you tell us a little about the process you went through to do that, if you felt that it was successful, and what impact you think it may have had on your career?
MW: At the time I was still playing with Big James & The Chicago Playboys. I was doing my band as a side project. Toronzo Cannon had recorded an album at a basement studio and I decided I would do mines there too. It was an easy process. Probably 4 or 5 days of recording. I think it was successful because it gave me a chance to perform and write songs of my own. Once I put the record out I got more gigs.
AP: You released Turn Up (a fantastic album) in 2016, four years after Self Made Man, which was nine years after your first album. You’ve said you release records and I’m paraphrasing, that you want to do them right, and you don’t want to release them until they are. Can one be ready this year?
MW: I don’t think it will be this year. Larry Williams and myself are starting to write some songs. It will definitely be next year.
AP: Do you think you would ever self publish a record again?
MW: Hopefully I won’t have to but you never know. I’m open to do what ever it takes to get the music out.
AP: Did you watch much tv growing up? If so, do you have any favorite shows?
MW: I did watch a lot of tv. Mostly music shows. I remember watching Hee Haw which was a country music show with Buck Owens and Roy Clark on guitar. Being here in Chicago I remember watching the original Soul Train on channel 26. Also there was a show called Red Hot and Blues with Big Bill Hill. I watched The Midnight Special, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert and In Concert on Friday nights to learn how to play guitar.
AP: You mentioned your mom played the blues when you were growing up. Was that on a record player or was she musically creative too?
MW: She didn’t play an instrument. She played records around the house. BB, Freddie and Albert King, Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Little Milton, Bobby Bland and Buddy Guy. I loved the blues at a very young age.
AP: Did you find support from your community growing up when music became a part of your life?
MW: I did. There were musicians on my block who inspired me. Across the street were two brothers Al and Tony Evans. Al had the first Fender Strat that I ever saw. Tony had his own band and they performed in our basement for a block party. Down the street was Freddie Tapley. He had a record collection and an Ovation acoustic that he would let me play. Also there was Ariel Gray. He would let me borrow his guitar and amp. My main support came from my brother Doug. He gave me my first guitar. I’ll never forget that!
AP: You’ve mentioned before that as a musician you try to stay informed about the world at large, is that still true? Lately the world has felt pretty bleak for some, have you felt any of that, if so have you found ways to stay positive and still stay involved?
MW: We wrote a song about that on our last record called Sad State Of The World. Things have definitely changed since the pandemic and even though it was a tough time I tried to not complain. A lot of people lost their lives. Some of my friends are gone.
AP: Tell us something nice about each of your band members please.
MW: Larry Williams is the face of the band. Everyone knows and loves him. He goes out of his way to make sure the audience is having a great time at the shows.
Cleo Cole is the heartbeat of the band. He keeps everything in the pocket and on time.
Ronnie Hicks is the big brother. He’s the newest member but he’s been performing longer than all of us. I’ve learned a lot from him.
AP: Now give us the dirt on them! Kidding. When you tour do you travel together?
MW: They’re all crazy..lol! We do travel together and we have a great time!
AP: How do you travel when touring in the US? How about overseas?
MW: When touring in the US we travel in a van. We had a driver Gary McWilliams but he passed away a couple of years ago. We miss him dearly. So right now I’m the driver. We haven’t been to Europe since the pandemic but we travel in a van over there too.
AP: Are there any goals you still hope to achieve or is there a contentment to what you’ve accomplished so far?
MW: I still have goals. I would like to play for larger audiences, sell more records, win more awards and be on tv.
AP: Is there any aspect of the music community that you feel has changed that you miss or that you think has done so for the better?
MW: I miss the clubs being open 7 days a week. There are a lot of bands not getting a chance because of the lost days.
AP: DId you play at the Chicago Blues Fest this year? How was it? A few years back they moved the festival, did that affect you as an artist at all? Have you noticed a difference in the crowd?
MW: We did play the festival this year. It was great. Buddy Guy headlined and tore it up. The move didn’t affect me directly but there are less stages now. I think this year’s crowd was the biggest in a long time.
AP: Do you have any advice for other artists who may be experiencing challenges with the industry? What about for anyone feeling low or unsure about the music they’re making?
MW: My advice would be that if you love it you have to take the good with the bad. Anything that is worth having won’t be easy to get. When it comes to making music you have to believe in yourself and stay true.
AP: How do you maintain your health day to day or when you’re touring?
MW: I try to eat a lot of fruits and avoid fried foods. Drink a lot of water and walk when I can. It’s not easy (eating healthy on tour). When I go overseas I try to bring foods I like with me. Tuna, peanut butter and jelly with crackers and microwave popcorn. Then I’ll find a grocery store and get some fruit.
AP: How do you find time for family and other extracurricular activities outside of music?
MW: We have to plan things according to my schedule. When I’m not working I’m at home and available to do whatever Jeannie wants to do. We make it work.
AP: Do you have any special events coming up?
MW: The Democratic Convention is in town in August and we have a lot of events that week. Also we have a lot of festivals in August and September.
AP: Is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to doing in the next few years?
MW: Making a new record!
AP: I’ve heard overseas that the crowds are much different than in the US. Have you noticed it and if so, what do you take from each as an artist?
MW: Overseas are more of a listening crowd as opposed to the US crowds that dance and interact. Both crowds are great!
AP: Do you have any good book recommendations?
MW: Prince and Purple Rain:40 Years. I mostly like that it celebrates the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain with photos and memorabilia.
AP: Are you a sports fan?MW: Chicago Bears and Chicago White Sox
AP: Is there a country that you’d like to travel to for a gig that you have yet to visit?
MW: England. I would love to play in London. I’ve been there but not to perform. The history of American artists that played there. Jimi Hendrix became big over there. Also the way they embraced the blues in the 60’s.
AP: What are you fans like? How do they react to your music? Are they at all surprised by the amount of original material you do?
MW: We have great fans. They react well to the music. We haven’t played as much original music lately because we have a new keyboardist still learning the show. But we will start playing more and getting new songs.
AP: Do you have any hobbies outside of music?
MW: I collect vinyl records and books about music. I have a huge collection of both. My top 5 vinyls are Jimi Hendrix- Band Of Gypsys, Albert King- I’ll Play The Blues For You, Prince-Sign Of The Times, Led Zeppelin- Physical Graffiti, and BB King- Live At The Regal. That’s just part of my vinyl collection. I collect 45’s too!
Catch Mike, Cleo, Larry and Ronnie at your local blues and music venues, and online at
Make sure to keep an eye out on Delmark Record’s website for other up-to-date information on The Mike Wheeler Band.
Comments