About Mike Winters
In June of 2018, Winters was accepted to The Retreat at Herons Landing, an intensive workshop for singers that I co-founded, located at my home in the heart of the Adirondack Park. Hailing from Oklahoma, with a decades long career as a gastroenterologist, Mike was far from a typical retreat participant. His film star good looks and disarming southern charisma had everyone swooning at the welcome dinner. After dinner, the participants had an opportunity to perform. I discovered then that Mike did not bring any music or charts- just a list of standards. What happened in the next moments- and in the months following the retreat until the time of this CD release- was the ignition of a powerful musical expression of talent, spirit and personal truth.
Winters brings his spellbinding baritone to the table, as well as a disarming connection to his music and lyrics.The authenticity in his treatment of every song on this recording creates a vivid soundtrack to who he truly is: unfussy, charming, sensual and completely natural. Add smart to that list (did I mention he is an MD?) as you discover the roster of talent that Winters gathered to create this recording.
Produced by the multi-award winning Stacy Sullivan (who happens to be his childhood friend and a fellow Oklahoman) with musical direction by ace pianist and arranger, Tedd Firth, A Pre-Existing Condition is a synthesis of classics and country that works because it speaks directly from Winters’ heart. Each song is arranged to stand out as a single even as it seamlessly flows into the next tune. That is no small feat, though Sullivan and Firth make it sound easy.
Mix the truthfulness of Johnny Cash and the pure tones of Nat King Cole in a shaker and pour yourself a strong cocktail of Michael…