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Bio

Mike Babyak began playing guitar in his early teens while growing up in the Allentown, Pa area.

In the mid-70s, Mike enjoyed local success with his first serious project, Gateway , a 5-piece band that began by covering bands such as Steely Dan and Yes, and which later evolved into a more open improvisational act. Here's a clip from way back then. During this time, he also played and studied with a number of other artists, including Mike Dugan, John Gorka, and Steve Kimock.

When Gateway disbanded in 1979, he went on to study classical guitar at Muhlenberg and Moravian College with Ted Williams, winning several local performance competitions. He spent the next 11 years performing as a classical soloist and guest artist with small chamber and early music ensembles. During this time, Mike also earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Kansas and later joined the faculty at Duke University Medical Center.

In the mid-90s, his interests turned back again to the electric guitar. Also at this time he began to study the lap steel more seriously.

Early in 2001, after a number of years making only sporadic appearances at local open mics and parties, he met singer Mariana Johnson, and founded the Triple Fret project, a blues and jazz act that enjoyed several years of great times in the Triangle. Triple Fret has since evolved into a project of rotating musicians.

Mike cites his long time teacher and friend, Steve Kimock, as his most important and enduring musical influence, with whom he still occasionally studies and collaborates. He also has studied with Durham jazz guitarist, Scott Sawyer, from Nnena Freelon's band. His listening influences are wide-ranging, and currently include V.M. Bhatt, David Lindley, R. Prasanna, Diblo Dibala, and Ry Cooder.

Other stuff

For you guitarists out there, check out his tutorial on Lenny Breau/Steve Kimock style harmonics. He's also finished a new little bit of Kimock TAB, the little jazzy refrain from Bad Hair.

Also, Mike has done a few interviews regarding Kimock, one where he is interviewed about his early experiences with Steve, which appeared on jambands.com. There are also two interviews Mike did with Steve for Glide Magazine in the past year, one this past April and one during his spring 2003 tour.

Mike also moderates Steve Kimock's discussion page.