On Sunday October 3rd Randy Stephens and the Groove Makers took the win for the SW Florida Regional International Blues Challenge in the band category.
Mike has been performing with Randy Stephens and The Groove Makers, for the past year as well as co-writing with Randy Stephens. Winning this regional challenge means the band is off to Memphis to the Quarter Finals which start on Weds Jan 19. Two ways to support the band is by getting an event pass from the Blues Foundation (You must be a member) or purchasing a pass for $10’s an evening which gets you into their performances. With two days of Quarter Finals Mike will definitely be performing Weds and Thursday evenings. It’s all up to the 2 panels of judges if they move forward to Friday’s Semi Finals. Winning that means they participate in the Finals challenge at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday night . It’s so exciting and the band is thrilled to be representing the SW Florida Blues Society! Stay tuned for more happening on the road to Memphis!
Michael Hepner, known to his friends and fans as “Detroit” Mike, has been performing and recording in Southwest FL since September 2018.
Michael performs regularly with Grammy nominated and Blues Hall of Fame artist, Bryan Lee and Six String Therapy. In April 2019 he recorded with Bryan Lee on his 18th album. May 2019 he toured with Bryan Lee and Six String Therapy to the 50th anniversary of the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans. Recently they wrapped up a successful sold out tour in Canada.
Detroit Mike rounds out his love of music, joining multi genre bands and artists, touring and performing.
In 2019 he toured with Nick Schnebelen on his West Coast Tour, Shari Puarto Band on her Florida Tour and the Summer Tour with Jason Ricci, Albert Castiglia, Shaw Davis and Dockta D.
Since relocating to Florida, Detroit Mike has shared the stage with numerous artists, including Popa Chubby, Shwanda Davis, Joey Gilmore and Sarasota’s #1 band, Kettle Of Fish.
Michael enjoys mentoring and performing with emerging artists. One such artist is Kid Royal. They recently wrapped up Kid Royal’s new EP and will have a release party on September 7th at the Hideaway Cafe in St. Petersburg FL. They regularly perform together.
The first twelve months in Florida have been phenomenal and exciting! Detroit Mike looks forward to this next year with great anticipation.
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After several years as the keyboardist/producer for the Elwood Splinters Blues Band Michael was asked by his fans to do a solo CD. “Blue Shores”, a culmination of amazing improvisational songs showing just how much Mike loves everything from Boogie Woogie to Blues and from Jazz to New Age. Hear clips of the CD and many of the bands Mike has had the honor to play with by clicking here.
