J. Michael Mullins taught himself to play the guitar when he was eight, and has been singing since he could talk. Originally an opera major, he worked his way through college playing restaurants, bars and clubs. After serving in the Army for 12 years, he was an English professor in Texas for the next 23. He sang lead for bands in various music genres including rock and roll, country, western, and even an a cappella doo-wop group. In later years, Mike did solo gigs, enjoying the simple pleasure of one-on-one interplay with an acoustic guitar. Upon retirement, he and his wife, Kaye, moved to Colorado. He joined the band at the Durango's Cowboy church, where he met Geary Parsons, and the two of them formed the Timberline Cowboys. Mike writes most of the songs the duo performs. The Colorado ranches, farms and mountains are the inspirations for his songwriting. Mike and Kaye live on a small piece of land a few miles outside Durango; a place they consider heaven on earth. A place they never intend to leave.

Talents: Musician, Singer, Songwriter

Awards:

• 2024 Working Cowboy Song of the Year