Mike Vial not only believes life is stranger than fiction; he’s lived it. After 20+ years of teaching and playing acoustic centered music, writing songs and performing concerts, he has accumulated more stories than he can tell.
The most important story Vial wants to share tends to be about his kids. “I’ve finally written a song for my son called 'Lost Dog,"” Vial adds. “I was worried I’d never be able to find the write song!”
For those who know Vial’s music, they might recall his 2016 release A World That’s Bigger, the title song being about his daughter and life in Ann Arbor.
Vial took a hiatus from live performing, like everyone did during the pandemic. He found a way to supplement his lost income with eBay, which he now jokes has become his record label.
The summer of 2025 provided Vial a chance to test the road out again. Can his family handle dad being away for four days? With no essays to grade, Vial put an arsenal of Taylor acoustic guitars in his Ford, and he played a few gigs throughout the Midwest. “At the peak of when I was a full time musician, I played 200+ gigs. This year, I’ve played ten, which feels like a huge success after those pandemic years!”
Plus, Vial has had a little success writing again. He has two new records to finish, including the Profiles of Courage record he has been procrastinating for years and a poetry book almost done. “Parenting and writing do not go hand in hand for me,” Vial admits. “I used to be able to write all night, and now I’m learning what Jill Jack once recommended at a songwriting workshop, ‘Write in spurts, when the baby naps!”
However, the babies have grown into kids, and Vial’s songwriting continues to mature. For now, he has 50 composition essays from his students to read and lecture notes about Grendel to revise. School is back in session at Community High, and Vial’s there, telling stories and reminding his students they have a voice in this great big world.
Mike will be accompanied by bassist Ozzie Andrews.
Shiny Shiny Black, an award-winning alternative folk band from Goshen, IN will be opening the show.
