To celebrate the release, Aiken will appear live on air during Paul Shugrue's Out Of The Box show on 89.5 FM Norfolk.  In addition to performing songs from his new CD, Aiken will assist with the station's pledge drive for NPR, taking calls and rallying donors.  The show runs from 7-9 p.m. EDT, and fans can listen to the stream live on WHRV.org.

A conceptualized offering, Aiken's new CD highlights his vocal talents on his own sweetly vibrant "Virginia" and Country Joe McDonald's poignant lament "Save The Whales."  The title track brims with a longing for the old West and the open sea, while "Get Down River" (Brian Henneman, Bottle Rockets) addresses the challenges of living hand-in-hand with Mother Nature.  Highlights abound, but it's the earth-shattering "Coal Train" (Mike Aiken, Larry Berwald) that has Mike's focus today - and he is releasing the song's video in conjunction with Earth Day celebrations worldwide for a reason.  This tale is not a happy one: the song outlines the destruction of our shrinking Appalachian mountains and America's Heartland by the coal industry.  "It's time to get a national dialog going," Mike states.  "While we hear the rally of 'Buy American,' we are happily selling off and shipping out the very ground we stand on.  It's a complex situation that involves folks' need to work, the industrial machine profiting from it, as well as the global environmental impact of the process itself."

For Aiken, an avid supporter of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race that benefits environmental concerns, raising awareness of the situation is crucial.  "If the video engages just one person's interest, then it will be worthwhile," he notes.

CAPTAINS & COWBOYS also reflects a lighter side of this talented singer/songwriter.  His current single, the "gotta ditch the real world" sing-along "Summertime Song," was written with his pal Tim Buppert ("She's Sure Taking It Well," "Another Nine Minutes").  The track literally sizzles with life and it's heating up radio now.  Programmers can find the tune on CDX Vol. 567 (track #14) or access it digitally from CDX HERE or via AirplayDirect.

MIDWEST RECORD REPORT notes that C & C offers up "A dandy new vector for Americana," and observes, "Aiken distills various outlaw spirits of the past into his own mix."

No stranger to music fans, Mike is a renowned entertainer who has toured the U.S. and abroad.  He draws inspiration for his songs from his colorful life: from self-sufficient days farming, raising animals and shoeing horses to 20 years spent sailing and living aboard his sailboat as a licensed USCG captain.

Fans can catch Mike on the road at these upcoming shows:

April 22             NPR - Norfolk, VA

June 7                Silo's - Napa, CA

Sept. 6               Hampton Bay Days - Hampton, VA

Sept. 11             Red Barn Radio - Lexington, KY

Sept. 24-25      PAE - Nashville, TN

Oct. 4-5             Aiken & Friends Fest - Smithfield, VA

Nov. 14              Frank Brown International Songwriters Fest - Gulf Shores, AL

Nov. 15-16        Yavapai College PAC - Prescott, AZ

More information on Mike can be found at www.mikeaikenmusic.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts

For Mike Aiken

Martha E. Moore 

so much MOORE media

somuchmoore@charter.net  

Northwind Records

Amy Aiken

pr@northwindrecords.us  

Radio Promotion

Bill Wence

Bill Wence Promotions

billwencepro@earthlink.net

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http://mikeaikenmusic.com/mediaonly/index.html 

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