Mick Kolassa: The Free Range Bluesman

Mick Kolassa is an American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for his soulful, "free range" approach to the genre. Hailing from Michigan and later based in Memphis, Tennessee, his career is marked by a prolific output of albums on the Swing Suit and Endless Blues labels, earning him a dedicated following in the blues community.

Early career

Born in 1954, Mick Kolassa's musical journey began far from the blues epicenters, growing up in Michigan. His deep passion for the genre was ignited early, leading him to a parallel career as a music industry professional and a board member for The Blues Foundation while he honed his own craft as a performer.

Breakthrough

Kolassa's recording career launched in earnest with his debut album, The Ghost of Charlie Bryant, in 2014. This release on Swing Suit Records established his signature style—a blend of traditional blues, Americana, and acoustic roots music—and set the stage for a steady stream of well-received albums throughout the 2010s and 2020s.

Key tracks

Ghost of Charlie Bryant — The title track from his debut introduced his narrative songwriting and acoustic-driven sound.

Wasted Youth — This original from his album Michissippi Mick showcases his wry, observational lyricism and folk-blues fusion.

You Can't Do That — Featured on Double Standards, his interpretation of this Beatles classic exemplifies his inventive approach to covering songs outside the typical blues canon.

Frankie & Johnny — His rendition on the album I'm Just Getting Started! demonstrates his ability to breathe new life into traditional blues storylines.

Kolassa's later work, including albums like If You Can't Be Good, Be Good At It and They Call Me Uncle Mick!, solidified his reputation for clever songwriting and authentic performances. A prolific collaborator, he has worked with a host of Memphis blues talents, including guitarist Jeff Jensen, and his albums often feature a who's who of the local scene.

Artists with a similar dedication to acoustic and traditional blues forms include Eric Bibb, who shares Kolassa's folk-blues storytelling approach. The soulful delivery of John Hammond echoes in Kolassa's vocal style, while the eclectic roots music of Delbert McClinton parallels his "free range" philosophy. Listeners may also appreciate the work of Tab Benoit for his contemporary yet deeply rooted take on the blues tradition.

The music of Mick Kolassa is a staple on dedicated blues radio stations and independent music radio stations that champion American roots music. His extensive catalog provides a rich selection for programmers seeking authentic singer-songwriter material within the blues genre.

You can hear the distinctive free range blues of Mick Kolassa on various radio stations featured here on onairium.com, where listeners can discover his deep catalog through our curated online radio streams.