Vocal surgery No.2/Retiring from singing
Current mood: thankful

Just over four years ago I received the frustrating and disappointing news that the constant and severe hoarseness of my voice for several months prior was due to what many had told me was a "singer's worst nightmare": a polyp on one of my vocal chords.  Months of unsuccessful vocal therapy followed, after which I learned that the condition was not due to vocal misuse, but rather a physical deformity of that vocal chord.  This resulted in a surgery to remove the polyp—a surgery that was a potential risk to my singing voice, but necessary and ultimately successful. 

In fact, having been so encouraged by the success of the operation and the resulting (relative) strength of my voice, a year later, I—along with my dear friends Richard Marion, Mike Thompson and Mike Meza—decided to pursue music in a more serious manner.  We did so for the following two years, during which I had some of the most challenging, fun and rewarding experiences of my life playing countless shows throughout Southern CA and in ten other states as well.  We played shows in front of 7 people and in front of 700 people, made some amazing friends along the way and received more complimentary drinks than I care to count.

However, for the last nine months I was again experiencing severe and consistent hoarseness and often a complete loss of voice, and was once again left with no other option than surgery—which I had last week—followed by extended vocal rest and therapy.  The doctor visit last Fall confirming that the problem had returned began the process of realization that the life of singing in a rock and roll band, staying up late talking over loud music in clubs and spending countless hours promoting my band until I could no longer speak was simply not the life for me.  I believe that the only reasonable and responsible choice I can make is to retire from singing altogether.

I do not write this for the sake of sympathy or drama, and I consider myself neither a victim nor a quitter.  I am just a practical man who has decided to accept the fact that one of my greatest passions is not compatible with my physical reality, and—quite simply—my highest priority is my sustained, long-term health. 

I write this to say the most sincere "thank you" of which I am capable to every person who attended a show, who sat in traffic for two hours to hear thirty minutes of music, who spent their hard-earned money on one of our CDs or a drink or a ticket, who endured two hours of other bands they didn't care to see just to lend us their support, who listened to us with open ears and minds when we were the opening band, who sent their Myspace friends to our page, who said an encouraging word to me and my three friends throughout this musical endeavor, who fed us and let us sleep on their floors, who helped us lift heavy gear, sell merchandise and dragged their friends along to a show without ever expecting a dime for it.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of my band-mates as well. 

We've made the five songs on our Myspace page available for free download.  They are the songs from my music career that—along with a couple other unrecorded tunes that were only heard in our last few shows—I am truly 100% proud of, and that I wish had been the foundation to many more.  I hope that you take them and enjoy them.  Thank you again for everything. 

Sincerely,
Mike Marion

P.S. If you'd like to keep in touch with me, read my blog, etc., you can find me at myspace.com/mikemarion.  To subscribe to my personal blog, click here.

3:31 PM - 26 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Reading this blog gets you into a FREE show!
Current mood: chipper

Ok, so you can see us (The Mining Co.) play for free on Wednesday instead of paying the cover.  All you have to do is RSVP to the show and be there by 10pm.  To do that, just click the flyer below and go to the bottom of the page for RSVP.  Come on out if you can...it's a sweet place and we would be endlessly appreciative of your support!  We're playing with The Prayers from San Diego...it's gonna be goooo--oood!

Currently listening : The Beatles (The White Album) By The Beatles Release date: 25 October, 1990

1:46 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

New songs/the beginning/etc.
Current mood: ecstatic

Dear friends,

   It's been a long time coming, but we finally have songs to offer you.  This whole musical venture started off two years ago as "The Mike Marion Band", followed by "The Marion Brothers Band"...and after a change in line-up, musical direction, and repertoire (we completely started over with new songs and are moving forward from there), we are proud to annouce The Mining Co. EP.  This is our first recording as The Mining Co., and it is without a doubt the proudest and most excited any of us has been about a recording we've been a part of.  We had a lot of fun in the past bands and projects with which we were involved, but we finally feel like we're playing the music we've always wanted to make and perform.  So, please come take a listen (perferably on headphones or some good speakers!), and come and see us at a show.  This is Mike, Mike and Richard like you've never heard us before.  Oh, and please recommend us to any of your friends who enjoy rock and roll.  Hope to see you soon.

-The Mining Co.

Currently listening : Sticky Fingers By The Rolling Stones Release date: 26 July, 1994

1:17 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment