Mike Hipp
Mike's first stringed instrument was a guitar given to him at the age of seven by his father on the occasion of his quitting little league football.
The present opened a greater gift for Mike - his lifelong love and talent for playing music. Mike's father would give him two more guitars before his death in a hunting accident on Mike's eleventh birthday. After his father's death, Mike discovered perhaps the greatest musical influence of his life and comfort in the wake of the loss of his father: John Denver. John Denver's songs and concern for humanity and the environment led Mike to emulate his musical style and values. Mike was first drawn to the banjo when he heard the banjo part in the John Denver song, "Matthew", a song which he particularly appreciated because it reminded him of someone else who had been a positive influence in his life.
Mike began to play banjo when he was thirteen years old. He took lessons from Herb Trottman (who played with the Claire Lynch Band and has a group of his own called the Herb Trottman Band) for four years. In the course of taking lessons from Herb, Mike developed bluegrass as his main musical style. Mike will tell you he is a "bluegrasser" although he is also a talented performer of jazz, folk, and country styles as well as others. At a time when the only people playing bluegrass in Alabama were the "old timers", Mike embraced the music and the people who played it. When Mike was sixteen, he quit school and spent all - yes, all - of his time playing the banjo... and some guitar. After taking banjo lessons from Herb Trottman, Mike returned to taking guitar lessons. He took guitar from Jimmy Wallace and Jimmy Branch, where he developed his ability to play jazz guitar. During all this time, Mike was expanding on his musical exposure to and appreciation for new generations of bluegrass music and for music of all styles. His hunger for new albums (tapes, CD's, etc.), sheet music, and opportunities to attend events and performances, was and continues to be insatiable. He treasures every autographed item and is always excited about a chance to obtain a new signature, famous or not. It is not uncommon for Mike to give a fresh ear to on old vinyl bluegrass record and become excited about the music all over again. (In addition to John Denver, Mike’s other performing heroes are Bela Flek, Tony Trishka, Tony Rice… and many others including, of course, Rhonda Vincent.)
Mike began to perform on stage when he was about fifteen years old. He has been in several bands in addition to Crossing the Gap, which he has been part of for the last twenty-five years. Mike's early stage experience included Hipp and Hicks, a duo act with Jane (Gabriele) Hicks that played covers and originals in various styles. Mike and Jane performed twice for the Country Boy Eddie Show. (Mike also performed solo twice on the Top of the Morning Show hosted by Mike Royer and Jenny Burleson.) Hipp and Hicks gained two additional members and went on to become known as Radar Rose after Mike joined another group. Mike briefly played upright base for a jazz group, and he played country gigs with several other groups. He was part of Rice Creek, and The Well Strung Men, each of which also included his cousin and fellow CTG member Steven Powell. Mike played banjo for Bluegrass Express, an earlier version of Crossing the Gap. Mike's driving desire to be onstage led him to be in several bands at once, and for a time Bluegrass Express had Tony Crum in his stead as the banjo player (incidentally, Mike and Tony became good friends - more later on Tony on the Friends page). Mike later returned to the group which became Crossing the Gap, and he has been a corner piece of the band ever since.
Mike earned third place in the 26th Annual Athens Fiddler's Convention for playing bluegrass banjo (song "Limehouse Blues", a jazz original converted to bluegrass by Don Reno. CTG members Tom and Diane Johnson accompanied in this performance). In addition to the guitar and banjo, Mike can also play upright bass and mandolin, and he can torture a fiddle. Mike has been a member of the Sierra Club, is a passionate lover of mountains, and has been an avid hiker and winter camper. He possesses numerous trophies which he earned in Tae kwon do tournament fights. Mike possesses a B.S. in Education from UAB, and an Associates Degree in Computer Science. Mike is a computer programmer for county government applications. His current interests outside of music include biking, making weekend trips to western North Carolina, and getting adjusted to married life with his new wife, Melissa.