Mike ‘the drifter’ Flanigin
Mike 'The Drifter' Flanigin is a shining light of the Texas Blues scene. A master of the Hammond B3 organ, Singer, Songwriter and GRAMMY®️-nominated Producer. Known for his organ trio work… as a solo artist, and also in collaborations with Texas guitar legends Jimmie Vaughan & Billy Gibbons. From dancehalls and beer joints across Texas… to Madison Square Garden, Royal Albert Hall, The LA Forum & The Montreux Jazz Festival.
Originally from Denton, Texas…Flanigin has been part of the Austin Blues scene since 1991 when he became a member of the Antone’s House Band, backing up many of the original blues legends… from Junior Wells to Earl King. It was also during this time he joined the now infamous The Red Devils for their only U.S. tour.
In 2009, Mike teamed up with Jimmie Vaughan and formed an organ trio that continues to this day. The results of which can be heard on ‘Live At C-Boys’, The Jimmie Vaughan Trio featuring Mike Flanigin. Texas-sized jams with Billy Gibbons led to their own trio dates, ZZ Top sit-ins (including an appearance on the ZZ Top ‘Live At Montreux’ DVD), Billy’s first solo album Perfectamundo and touring band The BFGs. Another Texas legend, Steve Miller calls Flanigin “…my very favorite Blues and Jazz organist.” Some of their work together can be heard on Steve Miller’s ‘The Vault’ Box Set.
Flanigin’s first solo album, The Drifter was released in 2015. Featured on NPR, Texas Monthly, Billboard… Rolling Stone Magazine called it a singular vision “…with Flanigin creating his own version of atmospheric Americana.”
January 2024 saw the Sony Music/Orchard release of Flanigin’s second album, ‘West Texas Blues.’ It’s 10 cuts of deep blues from the Lone Star State. ZZ TOP added Flanigin as the opening act for selected 2024 dates from West to East Coasts in the US where he will be promoting the album.
Oct 2024 marked the release of the first single ‘When My Baby Plays The Cannonball’ from his upcoming THE BLUEGRASS RECORDINGS. Flanigin recorded in Nashville with some of the finest Bluegrass players of today: Rob & Ronnie McCoury, Mike Bub, Alan Bartram, Deanie Richardson, Guthrie Trapp and Christian Ward. This project will initially be released as singles with accompanying videos.