Mike Urness is a chameleon of sorts and is the new lead guitar player for the band.  A seasoned musician who was brought up in the Dallas music scene, Mike is widely known as a guitarist who can proficiently play any style. Originally from Winona, Minnesota, Mike grew up in a very musical family where his father first started him out on the trumpet and piano.  But at the age of 14, Mike heard the sultry sounds of Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page.  It was then that he quickly put the trumpet away, picked up a guitar, and began the amazing journey that has defined his life.

By the age of 16 Mike was teaching private guitar lessons to local students.  But in 1994, realizing that he wanted a more formal education, Mike made the decision to move to Denton, TX to attend the famous Jazz Studies program at the University of North Texas. As a member of one of the best music programs in the country, he was exposed to a dizzying array of musical styles and genres…all of which continue to influence his playing today.  After graduating in 2000, Mike embarked on his professional career as a member of multiple bands in the North Texas area while also teaching private lessons.   And in the summer of 2013 Mike joined The Killdares!

He is excited to play some incredible shows, write some unbelievable music, and have a great time meeting the amazing fans of the KD nation!

NAME – Mike Urness

FROM – Born in Mesa, Arizona.  Grew up in Minnesota…now living in Denton, TX

INSTRUMENT – Guitar: electric, steel string, nylon string.  I also play the bass, piano, drums, trumpet, and I like to fiddle around with my banjo and sitar.

FAVORITE BANDS – TV on the Radio, Muse, Tame Impala, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Miles Davis, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Van Halen, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Seal, Stone Temple Pilots, Sound Garden, Red Hot Chili Peppers (the old stuff), Chopin, Ravi Shankar, Beethoven

FAVORITE GUITARISTS –  Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Page, Eddie Van Halen, Wes Montgomery, Steve Vai, Joe Pass, Oz Noy, John Scofiled, John Frusciante

FAVORITE COLOR – Purple

FAVORITE KD SONG TO PLAY LIVE – ”Rose de Lay”

FIRST WORDS THAT COME INTO YOUR HEAD – Did I lock the door?

FIRST SONG YOU LEARNED ON GUITAR – “I Wanna Rock” by Twisted Sister

NICKNAMES – Cool Mike

FAVORITE FILM(S) – Conan the Barbarian, Excalibur, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi

FIRST GIG (watching) – Chicago (the band)

BEST GIG (watching) – Pink Floyd’s Division Bell Tour.  The first three Lollapaloozas in 1991, ‘92, and ‘93.

BEST GIG (playing) – Any one of the many gigs with my Dad

FIRST ALBUM OWNED (On vinyl) – Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same soundtrack

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM – Minnesota Vikings. Skol Vikings!!!

5 PEOPLE YOU WOULD INVITE TO DINNER IF YOU COULD – Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Hawkings, Sting, George R. R. Martin, and Deepak Chopra

FAVORITE FOOD – Pizza!!!

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS GUITARIST OF THE BAND? I think my role is to play to the standards laid before me and to grow with the band.  I know that I have some big shoes to fill and I look forward to working with this amazing group of musicians.  I am also excited about the songwriting process and where we will go.

FAVORITE QUOTE –  “Knowing and not doing is equal to not knowing at all.” – A fortune cookie