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Mike Dalton creates original pop\/rock music with intensity and originality. Mike\u2019s vibe fits right in with the hustle, bustle, and concrete surroundings of NJ\u2019s urban areas, including the Jersey Shore crowd, a very hip college crowd, and the more mainstream audiences. His experience ranges from playing in front of crowds in a rock and roll bar to writing and recording for television.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mike sang the National Anthem for the greatest sports franchise in the world, the New York Yankees, and Stanley Cup winner, the New Jersey Devils. He was awarded \u201cBest Music Video\u201d on CTN, he won the \u201cUnsigned Heroes\u201d contest held by 97.5 WPST, and he was nominated for a \u201cDaytime Emmy Award\u201d for his songwriting work on the CBS soap opera, Guiding Light<\/i>. In addition, Mike has had over 200 airplays on national television shows such as Another World<\/i>, As the World Turns<\/i>, Guiding Light<\/i>, and Passions<\/i>. Mike has written and recorded songs with Jim Babjak, the guitarist for The Smithereens, and performed for nationally televised commercials.<\/span><\/p>\n Mike Dalton\u2019s music tools include guitar, piano, drums, bass, mandolin, & harmonica, <\/span>and has been a mainstay in the tristate area for over 40 years. <\/span><\/p>\n He has composed over 360 original songs;\u00a0 however, his best work is his son Trevor Michael Dalton.<\/span><\/p>\n Mike’s Favorites (Retro)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Originally from: Brick NJ<\/p>\n Music tools: Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass, Mandolin, Harmonica<\/p>\n How long have you been playing these tools?: started learning ’em at 6<\/p>\n Musical influences: Beatles (McCartney especially), U2, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Bodeans, Crowded House, Del Amitri Short Term Goal: get through the day with some sort of accomplishment<\/p>\n Long Term Goal: to be a good dad<\/p>\n CDs currently in car: actually don’t know, i listen to XM Radio a lot !<\/p>\n Favorite Color: Green<\/p>\n Favorite Food: Seafood & Wings<\/p>\n Favorite TV show: anything on the History channel<\/p>\n Favorite movie: It\u2019s a Wonderful Life<\/p>\n What book’s are you reading right now? too many to mention<\/p>\n Favorite Magazine: Maxim, Mad, & Men’s Health<\/p>\n Favorite Smell: grass<\/p>\n Alcoholic Beverage: Beer, Rum & Coke, Sambuca<\/p>\n What do you think about?: I can\u2019t divulge that<\/p>\n What do you do in your spare time?: what we’re all doing<\/p>\n Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Done: made a kid<\/p>\n Mike Dalton – Q&A (Retro)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 1. AS A CHILD, WHAT WAS YOUR DREAM? 2. DID YOU EVER PLAY COPS & ROBBERS? 3. WHICH ONE WERE YOU AND WHY? 4. WHAT IS YOUR NATIONALITY, RACE? 5. HEIGHT? WEIGHT? COLOR EYES? COLOR HAIR? AGE? 6. ARE YOU VERY MUCH WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING? 7. DID YOU GO TO COLLEGE? WHERE? WHAT DID YOU STUDY? 8. DID YOU STUDY MUSIC? 9. WHERE WERE YOU RAISED? 10. WHO INSPIRED YOU TO MUSIC? (FAMOUS OR NON-FAMOUS PERSON) 11. DID YOU EVER HAVE MONEY PROBLEMS THAT MAKES YOU REALIZE HOW FINANCIAL 12. WERE YOU EVER INTERESTED IN OTHER CAREERS? WHICH ONES? 13. DID YOU EVER WANNA BE LIKE YOUR FATHER (CAREER WISE) (AS A PERSON) 14. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONALITY FLAW? 15. YOU HAVE A CHILD? HOW OLD? TELL US ABOUT HIM? HOW DOES HE RESEMBLE 16. WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER HOBBIES? INTERESTS 17. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? (THE LITTLEST THING) 18. WHAT CHALLENGES YOU? 19. WHAT UPSETS YOU GREATLY? 20. DO YOU SCHMOOZE W\/GIRLS YOU MEET AT PERFORMANCES? WHY OR WHY NOT? 21. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU PLAY MOSTLY? WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE? 22. WHO DECIDED TO MAKE A COVER BAND? YOU AND WHO ELSE? 23. WHERE WERE YOU AT WHEN THIS TOOK PLACE? 24. WHAT YEAR WAS YOUR BAND ESTABLISHED? 25. WHEN DID YOU START GETTING FAMOUS? 26. DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD GET FAMOUS? 27. WHAT YEAR WAS THE BAND NAMED “MIKE DALTON AND THE PUSH?” HOW WAS THE 28. ARE YOU SURPRISED BY YOUR SUCCESS? IS YOUR GROUP SURPRISED BY YOUR SUCCESS? 29. DID YOU WANNA DO THIS SINCE A KID? Absolutely.<\/p>\n 30. WHEN DID YOU BECOME KNOWN\/FAMOUS? WHAT YEAR? famous? not quite there yet\u2026.! 31. DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF DOWN TO EARTH OR SNOTTY? WHAT DO YOU THINK 32. DID MOM AND\/OR DAD INSPIRE YOU OR HELP YOU IN ANY WAY SUCCEED? IF NOT, 33. WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED OR ACHIEVED? 34. WHAT FAILURES IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS HAVE YOU HAD? HOW DID YOU FEEL? 35. HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU TO YOUR WORK? 100 %<\/p>\n 36. DO PEOPLE INFLUENCE YOU IN YOUR LYRICS? WHO ESPECIALLY AND WHY? 37. HOW DO YOU WRITE MUSIC, BY HEART OR FORMULA, PICTURES, DREAMS, ETC? 38. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO WEAR AT YOUR SHOWS, FLANNELS, T-SHIRTS? WHY? DO 39. HAVE YOU EVER MADE HEADLINES OR HEARD RUMORS OF SOMETHING WILD THAT 40. DO YOU MISS YOUR LONG HAIR FROM HOW IT WAS ONCE WHEN YOUR BAND WAS “THE PUSH” The Mike Dalton Band (Retro)<\/b><\/span> Do people trust you when you say that Mike Dalton has the ability to Who is Mike Dalton? What are Mike’s credits? What type of music does he Yes, we do notice his charm. And we did get used to his zest. But for the MIKE DALTON’S FANS SPEAK: As you can see, it isn’t hard to find fans like these at any There are still lots of people who never heard of The Mike Dalton Band, but MIKE DALTON’S REVIEWERS SPEAK:<\/p>\n The Aquarium, Al Muzer Soap Opera Digest, Christine Champagne The Ties That Bind, Maggie Powell, Herald & News, Don DiIorio Parkhill’s – John Park Hill Martell’s Tiki Bar – Mike Holland Mrs. Dalton (Mike’s Mother) Lots of folks wonder what it takes to make it in the rock music business. Since 1983, Mike has been carving out his own territory in New Why has New Jersey been such a great place to start a career in the rock Of course you’ll recognize the artists whose songs they’ve performed: So what’s the story behind their success? Here are just a few of the facts.<\/p>\n No, wait! A few more fans have something to say.<\/p>\n MIKE DALTON’S FANS SPEAK: As we were saying. The Mike Dalton Story starts when he was very young. Between the ages of thirteen and 21, Mike learned drums, piano and Long before other cover bands ever splashed across the Jersey Shore and For those of you who watch daytime drama, you’ve probably heard some Dalton MIKE DALTON’S VIDEO CREDITS & HONORS:<\/p>\n \u2022 Sang the National Anthem for the New York Yankees on August 20, 1996 Mike Dalton has composed more than 300 original songs. In 1994, one of The beyond-talented artist has no problem showing up to a show in That, too, has worked for their many fans, and for their Some Dalton Covers Of Artists The Beatles, U2, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Bryan Adams, Matthew Sweet, Stone The Mike Dalton Band has had airplay on many local stations, such The Mike Dalton Band is dug in deep. Their fans are steady We can’t decide if it’s the legs, the snaked-hips or the knockout With more than 300 original song compositions under his belt, you would MIKE DALTON SPEAKS ON SONGWRITING:<\/p>\n “Just about every person within eyesight or earshot finds a way It’s an oft-heard clich\u00e9, but when it’s true, it means something. Mike Aside from a strong interest in Communications, Mike briefly considered HOW MIKE DALTON GOT HIS START:<\/p>\n Mike’s first musical inspiration was a guy named We must wonder whether Mike is a contemporary icon, a hardworking Now a star in his own right, Dalton continues to wow audiences with So based on what The Mike Dalton Band has done so far, that will Mike Dalton creates original pop\/rock music with intensity and originality. Mike\u2019s vibe fits right in with the hustle, bustle, and concrete surroundings of NJ\u2019s urban areas, including the Jersey Shore […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-82","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=82"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2119,"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/82\/revisions\/2119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikedalton.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=82"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n
\nCurrent favorite bands\/artists: Band: Beatles Artist: Gavin DeGraw<\/p>\n
\n
\nMy dream, ever since I was about 6, was to do exactly what I\u2019m doing now. Singing for people.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA lot of this went on with my brothers and my cousin Tommy. I remember many times racing around my Grandmother\u2019s neighborhood on our bikes (sometimes on foot), or running around her property. I am the youngest of 3 boys, so Billy always got the best guns and my brother Timmy ALWAYS got the Moped\u2026..!<\/p>\n
\nCan\u2019t really say I have a preference.<\/p>\n
\nI am Irish, English, Scotch, and a little American Indian.<\/p>\n
\nHazel Eyes, Light Brown Hair<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m a singin\u2019 fool.<\/p>\n
\nRutger\u2019s University, graduated 1989. Major in Communications, minor in Criminology<\/p>\n
\nNo, they wouldn\u2019t let me. I inquired about the major of music and because of the fact that I didn\u2019t have 10 years of jazz or theory, they wouldn\u2019t let me in the major.<\/p>\n
\nBrick NJ<\/p>\n
\nA guy named Frankie Rendell who used to play in the seventies at the Lobster Shanty (Point Pleasant) and at the Top of the Mast (Seaside Heights). When I was 6, my parents used to bring us for the early show and Frankie would always let me come up and sing \u201cSong Sung Blue\u201d and play the tamborine. That was very big for me\u2026.he gave me my first microphone stand which I still use for every show I play\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nSTABLE AND SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE NOW?
\nn\/a<\/p>\n
\nAt one point I considered being a doctor, a vet, a lawyer, or a teacher. I still may go into teaching some day. Probably somewhere between 2nd and 5th grade\u2026.who knows?<\/p>\n
\nYeah, I looked up to my dad all growing up\u2026but as far as a career, he\u2019s a Private Investigator and my two brothers have worked for him but I never had an interest in that.<\/p>\n
\nToo many to mention\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nYOU?
\nTrevor Michael Dalton is 6 months old as of May 23rd 1999. He was born on November 23rd, 1998. He\u2019s is the single most interesting person I know (and the happiest !!!).<\/p>\n
\nGolf, Poker, Pittsburgh Steelers, NY Yankees, reading, beer, animals, and tons and tons of music\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nTrevor. A good golf shot. A peaceful day. A good song.<\/p>\n
\nUnderstanding people and the decisions they make in their lives.<\/p>\n
\nIgnorance and disrespect for each other. Not cleaning up for yourself at your friend\u2019s house, the lack of respect abortion shows for an unborn child, and everything in between\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nI just hang out and have some beers and talk to my friends, and \u201cfans\u201d of the band ( I hate saying that word)<\/p>\n
\nWe play our original songs whenever we can and\u2026anything Beatle-esque ,U2, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Del Amitri, Bruce, etc and a few top 40 hits once in a while just so people will leave me alone about it !<\/p>\n
\nNever really decided to be a cover band, it was just easier to get my music heard if I played covers too. Kenney Petersen, Jeff Rataski, and myself started the whole thing\u2026.in 1983<\/p>\n
\nI was living right were I am now, in Brick.<\/p>\n
\nSattire: 1983
\nMike Dalton and the Push: 1987
\nThe Mike Dalton Band: 1991<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m not famous.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019d like to, if only to get my music out there and play for larger amounts of people<\/p>\n
\nGROUP LIKE IN DRESSING AND MUSIC BACK THEN? WHAT YEAR WAS THE NAME CHANGED
\nTO “THE MIKE DALTON BAND?”
\nIn 1987, as a member of the Push, I was wearing Levi\u2019s 501\u2019s \u201cas a rule\u201d (black), and black everything\u2026
\nEveryone pretty much wore what they wanted to\u2026we experimented with jackets, and trying to find a \u201clook\u201d, etc\u2026.but eventually, we just wore whatever we liked with no plan\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nI can\u2019t say that I\u2019m surprised as much as thankful. Success is a strange word to me, I never really feel like I have success \u2018cuz I always want more. We\u2019re an incredibly lucky band to be playing over 200 shows a year consistently for so long but we\u2019d like to bring it to a higher level. As for the success we\u2019ve had so far, we don\u2019t take it for granted\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nWe got on the club scene in 1987 and developed a following during the next few years\u2026.<\/p>\n
\nPEOPLE CONSIDER YOU TO BE?
\nI would hope people consider me to be down to earth because I really do know that I\u2019m a very average guy, but I\u2019m sure once in while I\u2019m capable of coming off the wrong way. Sometimes I\u2019m quiet and that gets misunderstood sometimes.<\/p>\n
\nWHO DID? WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS DO FOR A LIVING?
\nMy father is a private investigator and my mother was my mom\u2026.they both supported my dreams very much\u2026..and inspired me to work hard to accomplish my goals.<\/p>\n
\nI was up for a daytime emmy in 1994 for a song called \u201cWaiting in the Wings\u201d on Guiding Light that I sang with Melina Kanakaredes\u2026.but I haven\u2019t actually won any awards.<\/p>\n
\nDID YOU WANT TO GIVE UP?
\nI\u2019ve been turned down by labels (obviously) throughout the years\u2026but I don\u2019t get discouraged. I have never ever considered giving up. Not for one minute.<\/p>\n
\nEverybody that walks in (or out) of my life runs the risk of getting thrown into a song !<\/p>\n
\nI use all of those resources and more\u2026..however, I don\u2019t really believe that ALL songs must follow the \u201cformula\u201d\u2026.i believe in being creative and wherever that takes you is fine. Following rules when it comes to songwriting is one of the most ridiculous things I ever heard. Sure, it may bring in more cash, but if you\u2019re writing songs JUST for cash, it probably gets a little boring.<\/p>\n
\nYOU FEEL REBELOUS OR SEXY WHEN YOU WEAR A CERTAIN OUTFIT?
\nMost of the time I wear whatever I grab. I\u2019m not exactly the most fashionable guy out there. And, I\u2019m certainly not sexy. That word is so goofy. I hate it.<\/p>\n
\nYOU’VE DONE EITHER BEFORE FAME OR DURING?
\nAnything wild I usually just keep to myself\u2026\u2026..! Actually though, I\u2019m not really all that exciting. If anyone ever did an in-depth look at me at home, they\u2019d probably have to drink a lot of coffee and bring a few movies to watch to keep themselves entertained\u2026! I just walk around the house cleaning up and doing office work and stuff. Real exciting.<\/p>\n
\nNah, it got too curly when it got long. I cut it off, stuffed it in my wigwams and grew up.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
\n
\nAuthor: Maddy Soto
\nEditor: David Rothman<\/span><\/p>\n
\ndraw a crowd when his band performs in town? If someone told you that The
\nMike Dalton Band is an incredible Jersey Shore band, would you automatically
\nassume it’s true? You hear someone spreading word about a terrific cover
\nband coming to town; would you be curious as to attend the show, even if
\nyou’ve never heard of them? Well, when a person tells you a story, they
\nare suppose to blurt every detail. But we don’t always get the answers do
\nwe?<\/p>\n
\nplay? What does Mike Dalton really have to offer? Many fans and roundabout
\nnewcomers want to know. Even so, fans usually don’t wanna sign up on his
\nmailing list until they hear his music. And when they do hear his music,
\nthe fans are ready to get those pens to hit the pad. Psst! Here’s some
\ninformation. This young talent is better looking than the average rock and
\nroller. He certainly makes other band singers look like lightweights. His
\ncredits and reviews are outstanding. And, of course, there’s something
\nsmooth and likable almost childlike about him. We can’t ignore his ability
\nto jam up a bar and last but not least, the fact that he’s not allergic to
\nsmiling is quite catching to those in the audience.<\/p>\n
\nhandful of people who haven’t yet tuned into Mike’s true background history,
\nyou will now find out some real Mike Dalton quotes and you will now learn
\nabout his quite primitive profile.<\/p>\n
\nFAN #1: “Mike Dalton rocks!”
\nFAN #2: “Dalton and his band are definitely part of the future of rock and
\nroll!”
\nFAN #3: “We’ve been fans of Mike Dalton for years! He’s making his way up
\nthe ladder of success in the music business!”<\/p>\n
\nconcert where Mike Dalton appears in front of major musical acts, or when
\nhe’s playing in front of a small crowd in a Jersey shore rock and roll bar.
\nThis is a big part of Mike Dalton’s lasting success: his musical and
\npersonal integrity. In an industry dominated by high profile maniacs, The
\nMike Dalton Band makes its mark steady but surely by producing quality
\noriginal rock music, by playing other stars’ music with intensity and
\noriginality, and by meeting the incredible demands of established artists
\nlike Simon and Dylan.<\/p>\n
\nso what? Some of the right people have, and they are sharing the good news.
\nTheir fans know, and they are The Mike Dalton Band’s best advertisements.
\nAsk any fan that loves his sexy groove, and they’ll agree that Mike works it
\nin all the right ways. Oh yeah, the reviews have been knockout too:<\/p>\n
\n“An excellent example of radio pop at its finest.”<\/p>\n
\n“It’s only a matter of time before Dalton
\nhas a top-10 hit on the Billboard charts.”<\/p>\n
\n“Poker is an outstanding collection of well written
\nsongs, ranging in tempo from straight-ahead
\nrock to a beautifully performed ballad.”<\/p>\n
\n“His latest release reveals a deft songwriting
\ncraft – smart pop writing with broad appeal.”<\/p>\n
\n“Best Rocker on the Jersey Shore”<\/p>\n
\n“He is the most personable\u2026 he is
\nconscientious, devoted and talented.”<\/p>\n
\n“Don’t wait for your ship to come in.
\nSwim out after it!”<\/p>\n
\nIt’s no magical mystery: it takes talent and hard work. If you are in
\ndemand on the New Jersey shore and inland as well, and can stand the rigors
\nof performing up to 200 shows a year for years running, then sooner or later
\nthe top artists and producers hear your work and expand your opportunities.
\nThat is exactly what has happened with The Mike Dalton Band, consisting of
\nMike Dalton [lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, drums, songwriter]; Greg
\nFelise [bass]; Eddie Carson [guitar, vocals] and Jimmy Druiett [drums,
\nguitar, vocals]. The Mike Dalton Band is endorsed by Miller Lite Beer and
\nuses Washburn Guitars, Warwick and Spector Basses and Sound Tech
\nReinforcement.<\/p>\n
\nJersey and getting ready to launch the band’s careers worldwide from the
\ngreat homeland for rock and roll that New Jersey has become over the past 25
\nyears.<\/p>\n
\nmusic industry, where so many bands fall apart and disappear? First, the
\nshore. It’s a community that is loyal to hardworking bands who are willing
\nto take risks and hone their skills. It’s a community that is
\nnature-oriented but is close to the big cities. It’s a place with an
\nidentity of its own, so shore residents are mostly secure folks who
\nappreciate good music when they see and hear it. The natural surroundings
\nof the Jersey shore provide so many people with a place to have good clean
\nfun – which is what rock music is all about anyway, so it fits right into
\nthe terrain. And since 1983, The Mike Dalton Band, under several previous
\nnames, has been entertaining small and large crowds with the same intensity
\nand dedication to quality music, whether it’s one of their 300 original
\nsongs [written mostly by Mike Dalton] or their many “covers” of other, major
\nartists.<\/p>\n
\nthere’s some of everyone’s favorites in this repertoire. How about:
\n“Beetles, Paul McCartney, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Del Amitri, John
\nMellancamp, Peter Gabriel, The Doors, Pearl Jam, Paul Simon, Blues Traveler,
\nNeil Diamond, James Taylor and The Smithereens”. No band can perform the
\nwork of these consummate musicians and last as long as The Mike Dalton Band
\nhas lasted without doing a whole lot of things right! Buncha crush grooves,
\nthe fans say.<\/p>\n
\nFAN #4: “When The Dalton Band plays [Stone Temple Pilots], the place goes
\nwild!”
\nFAN #5: “Their original stuff is as good as a lot of the famous stuff they
\ndo by other artists.”
\nFAN #6: “Dalton’s band is gonna make it big pretty soon. You can tell.
\nThey’re that good.”<\/p>\n
\nHe started playing guitar at six, and like all truly great musicians, it
\nbecame an obsession. As his talent grew, so did his obsession grow into
\ndedication to a professional career goal: to play live music in front of
\nappreciative fans.<\/p>\n
\nkeyboards. He and his two brothers grew up in Brick, New Jersey, where he
\nstill lives. Mike has a son named Trevor (eight months old at the time of
\nthis writing). A devoted father, Mike laughs and says of his son: “He looks
\nlike his mommy and daddy. He’s the most interesting person I know.”<\/p>\n
\nmusical landscape, “Mike Dalton and the Push” were at one point singing and
\nguitar-slinging their way into the top back in 1983. The band started when
\nKenney Petersen and Jeff Rataski were practicing “Message in a Bottle” by
\n“The Police”. Mike didn’t really know the song, but faked his way through
\nit. It turned out to be pretty good, and the band known as “Sattire”
\nstarted up later that year. They’ve been going stronger and stronger ever
\nsince. How many local bands made a name for themselves with top artists and
\na strong adoring public? And done background-songs for national TV shows
\nlike “The Guiding Light”? And nationally televised soundtracks for
\ncommercials like “Bubble Bopper” and “Sonic Slammer”? Hardly anybody.
\nMaybe nobody. It appears The Mike Dalton Band is in a class by itself, and
\ntheir star is still on its way up.<\/p>\n
\noriginal tunes and may not have even known it. His work has been heard more
\nthan 150 times on “Guiding Light”, “As the World Turns” and “Another World”.
\nAlthough he’s known more for his “cover” work so far, this exposure on
\nnational television is not only a great professional credit – it’s proof
\nthat The Mike Dalton Band has what it takes to make it to the very top in
\nthe music business.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Performed for the New Jersey Devils and New Jersey Red Dogs at Continental
\nAirlines Arena
\n\u2022 Best Music Video, Cable Television Network’s Annual Award
\n\u2022 “Unsigned Heroes” Award, WPST radio
\n\u2022 Hired by Miller Lite for Regional Promotional Campaign
\n\u2022 Played before Paul Simon and Bob Dylan at PNC Arts Center, First Stage on
\nJuly 28, 1999
\n\u2022 Currently writing songs with Jim Babjak, guitarist for The Smithereens
\n\u2022 His music has played over 150 times on day time soap operas like “The
\nGuiding Light”, “As the World Turns” and “Another World”
\n\u2022 Has nationally televised soundtracks for commercials like “Bubble Bopper”
\nand “Sonic Slammer”
\n\u2022 Has composed more than 300 original songs
\n\u2022 Was nominated for Daytime Emmy Award “Waiting in the Wings” in 1994
\n\u2022 Has had airplay on many local stations such as “WRAT”, “WPST” and “WHTG”<\/p>\n
\nMike’s originals, “Waiting in the Wings”, was nominated for a Daytime Emmy
\nAward under “Best Original Song”. Not bad for a Jersey Shore band that
\nstarted in a vacant room in a friend’s house in 1983! And the composer of
\nthat nominated song was faking when he started playing the guitar with his
\nfriends!<\/p>\n
\n“whatever” he grabs hiding behind those huge hazel eyes and an equally
\nsporty baseball cap that he “so-often” wears. This gifted rock star knows
\nwhat looks good and his hordes of female fans couldn’t agree more. Since
\nthose early days the band has gone through some changes, but not many. The
\nmost obvious have been external – choice of clothes and a certain “look”
\nthat defines them as a group. They tried a few different things, but
\nnothing worked to their satisfaction, so they decided as a group to just
\nwear what they wanted and look the way they wanted. Mike adds, “In 1987, as
\na member of Mike Dalton and The Push, I was wearing Levi’s 501’s ‘as a rule’
\nblack, and black everything. Everyone pretty much wore what they wanted to.
\nWe experimented with jackets, and trying to find a look, etc., but
\neventually we just wore whatever we liked with no plan.”<\/p>\n
\nprofessional supporters and sponsors as well. These include some of the
\nmost famous and prestigious Jersey Shore “music bars”, places where some
\nnational acts got their start wearing the casual look.<\/p>\n
\nPlayed When Not Playing Their Own Stuff!<\/p>\n
\nTemple Pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Grateful Dead, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel,
\nThe Doors, Pearl Jam, Neil Diamond, John Mellancamp, James Taylor, The
\nSmithereens, Blues Traveler, Aerosmith, Squeeze, The Police, Billy Joel,
\nPink Floyd, Elvis, The Goo-Goo Dolls, The Rolling Stones, The Black Crowes
\nand many many more.<\/p>\n
\nas WRAT, WPST and WHTG and the interesting combination of originals and
\ncover caught on, both with the college-radio crowd, the Jersey Shore crowd
\nand the more mainstream audience. Add in the duo’s indefatigable approach
\nto touring from the Jersey Shore and throughout North Jersey and New York
\nCity, and you get a long-lasting formula for success.<\/p>\n
\nfollowers of their new work, as well as great appreciators of their
\nperformance of other, famous compositions. “I’m surprised as much as
\nthankful,” says Mike Dalton. “Success is a strange word to me. I never
\nreally feel like I have success because I always want more.” Is it all
\ntalent or luck plus talent and hard work that has propelled The Mike Dalton
\nBand this far? “We’re an incredibly lucky band to be playing almost 200
\nshows a year for so long.” If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (and
\nwe’re willing to believe this particular adage), then the young Mike Dalton
\nhas a very long and illustrious career ahead of him. This songbird knows
\nthat he doesn’t have to fit into somebody else’s mold to make an undeniable
\nimpact.<\/p>\n
\ncharisma that makes Mike Dalton so fabulous. But one thing’s for sure: he’s
\nmaintained a signature look that has not only stayed fresh, but has evolved
\neffortlessly with the passing decades. From the young “Sattire” era to the
\nlong-haired “Mike Dalton and the Push” years to the new “Mike Dalton Band”
\nlook of today, Dalton has the kind of larger-than-life presence that defines
\npersonal style.<\/p>\n
\nthink Mike Dalton’s ego would start to balloon, but not so. It appears that
\nthe creative process is such a part of Dalton’s involvement in the music
\nworld, that it helps keep everything in proper perspective. Does he follow
\na “formula” to write songs, like we hear so many other band leaders do? No.
\nInspiration can come from many sources – from meeting someone new, to
\nseeing a painting on a wall, to feelings and past experiences in one’s own
\nlife.<\/p>\n
\ninto my songs. Some more than others. I use all of those resources and
\nmore. I don’t believe songs must follow a ‘formula’. I believe in being
\ncreative and wherever that takes you is fine. Following rules in
\nsongwriting is ridiculous. It may bring in more cash, but if you’re writing
\nsongs just for cash, then something’s wrong with your dedication as an
\nartist and your heart isn’t in the right place. Sure, we have a ‘product’
\nthat we ‘sell’, but it’s also more than that. It entertains people and it
\ndeals with their emotions. I don’t think it’s appropriate to create
\nsomething in that category just for the money. If we are influencing
\npeople’s lives, we should try to do it with some sensitivity too. That’s
\nwhat songwriting means to me at its best. And that is how we choose many of
\nthe songs by other artists that we perform. We choose what moves us, what
\nhas meaning for us, and we try to share that creative and inspirational
\nprocess.”<\/p>\n
\nDalton doesn’t live ‘above’ the crowd; he considers himself part of it. He
\nenjoys golf, playing poker with friends, reading, watching the Yankees and
\nPittsburgh Steelers, drinking Miller Lite and of course listening to tons of
\nmusic. In his childhood he was briefly influenced by his father’s career as
\na private investigator, which brings some irony to the fact that it was a
\nsong by the great British rock group The Police that started the whole thing
\nback in the early ’80s. Mike’s father helped determine part of Mike’s
\ncollege years: he majored in Communications and minored in Criminology.
\nMike graduated from Rutgers University in 1989.<\/p>\n
\nbeing a doctor, lawyer or teacher, and may still go into teaching someday.
\n“Probably somewhere between second and fifth grades are my main interest,”
\nhe says. Mike also considered being a veterinarian because he loves animals
\n– in the extreme! At home he has one dog, seven cats, two rabbits and one
\nfish. His hobbies are as normal as normal gets: backyard barbecues, spicy
\nfood and VH1. Mike’s cartoon favorites are Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Kinda
\nhard to go too far wrong with that background check.<\/p>\n
\nFrankie Rendell who played the Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant and Top of
\nthe Mast in Seaside Heights – both early Jersey Shore bars and restaurants.
\n“When I was six years old,” Mike says, reminiscing, “my parents used to
\nbring my brothers and I to the early show and Frankie would always let me
\ncome up and sing ‘Song Sung Blue’ and play the tambourine. That was very
\nbig for me. Frankie gave me my first microphone stand, which I still use
\nfor every show I play.” How many artists today have that attitude? Not
\nmany. Maybe not any.<\/p>\n
\nmusic writer, a dedicated father, a media-savvy celebrity, or a go getter?
\nMaybe all of the above. And as we approach Y2K and the cusp of his middle
\nage, Mike has learned to live life on his own terms. He does not waste
\ntime. “I was up for a daytime Emmy back in 1994 for a song called “Waiting
\nin the Wings” on Guiding Light that I sang with Melina Kanakaredes.” Mike
\nis dedicated to his work 100% and as he adds, “I don’t get discouraged. I
\nhave never ever considered giving up. Not for one minute.”<\/p>\n
\nhis often body-conscious, always eye-popping ensembles. How much of The
\nMike Dalton Band’s commitment connects with their Jersey Shore roots and how
\nmuch has to do with “making it” on the national or international stage? “Of
\ncourse we’d like to bring it to a higher level. We don’t take our success
\nso far for granted. We want to add to it, we want to show our current fans
\nthat we can make them even more proud of us, and we’d like to introduce our
\nwork to everybody out there who loves good hard-driving rock music!”<\/p>\n
\nprobably happen sooner than later.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"