Mike Mahaffey
Encyclopedia
Mike Mahaffey was a founding member of the power-pop band Self
. Founded with his brother, Matt Mahaffey
, in the early 1990s, Self released two major-label albums and various independent and Internet-only albums. A multi-talented performer, Mike played lead guitar, keyboards, and bass for the band on various occasions. Before joining Self, Mike played in several bands, the most successful of which was hair-metal band Blackfish
. Mike played lead guitar in the band, but contributed little to the songwriting. Blackfish released one major-label album in 1992 before disbanding. His last recorded work was on Self's as of yet unreleased Ornament & Crime.
Mike died in his sleep in May 2005. He is survived by a wife, an ex-wife, and three children. There were several tribute shows in Mike's honor held at the Exit/In
in Nashville, Tennessee
, with proceeds going towards a college education fund for his children. The first show featured Spongebath
alumni The Katies
, Fluid Ounces
, and The Features
, and took place on August 19, 2005. A second show on September 10, 2005, was headlined by a reunited version of Self and also featured The Privates and SJ and the Props. A third show on December 3, 2005, featured John Cowan
and various musicians close to Mike. In addition, wristbands were made available for purchase and bore one of Mike's favorite phrases, "It's all good."
Annual Mike Mahaffey Tribute Show
A group of Mike's friends have continued the tradition started with the December 3, 2005 fundraiser. The Annual Mike Mahaffey Tribute Show is held every first Saturday after Thanksgiving in Johnson City, Tennessee
, at Capone's (formally known as Gatsby's). Mike grew up in nearby Colonial Heights, Tenn., and later lived and played music in Johnson City. All proceeds from these shows go to an education fund for Mike's children.
Self (band)
Self is an American alternative pop/rock band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and largely the brainchild of writer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey....
. Founded with his brother, Matt Mahaffey
Matt Mahaffey
Matt Mahaffey is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and recording engineer best known for his band Self.-Personal:Matt grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee and was involved with music from a young age...
, in the early 1990s, Self released two major-label albums and various independent and Internet-only albums. A multi-talented performer, Mike played lead guitar, keyboards, and bass for the band on various occasions. Before joining Self, Mike played in several bands, the most successful of which was hair-metal band Blackfish
Blackfish
Blackfish may refer to:* Several kinds of fish:** Alaska blackfish, Dallia pectoralis.** Black sea bass, Centropristis striata.** Sacramento blackfish, Orthodon microlepidotus.** Tautog, Tautoga onitis.** Parore, Girella tricuspidata....
. Mike played lead guitar in the band, but contributed little to the songwriting. Blackfish released one major-label album in 1992 before disbanding. His last recorded work was on Self's as of yet unreleased Ornament & Crime.
Mike died in his sleep in May 2005. He is survived by a wife, an ex-wife, and three children. There were several tribute shows in Mike's honor held at the Exit/In
Exit/In
Exit/In is a music venue in Nashville, Tennessee. Exit/In is located on Elliston Place near Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University. It opened in 1971 under the management of Owsley Manier and Brugh Reynolds. As a small venue seating 200 or so, it developed its unique reputation in the 1970s...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, with proceeds going towards a college education fund for his children. The first show featured Spongebath
Spongebath Records
Spongebath Records was an independent record label based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee during the mid-nineties. During its heyday, Spongebath was often viewed as the vibrant epicenter of Murfreesboro/Nashville's music scene with a robust artist roster of critically acclaimed bands, singers, and...
alumni The Katies
The Katies
The Katies were a three-piece, power-pop band from Murfreesboro, TN from approximately 1996-2007.-History:Jason Moore and Gary Welch had previously been in a Murfreesboro band called A Million Worlds...
, Fluid Ounces
Fluid Ounces
Fluid Ounces were a piano-based, power pop band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee that garnered a cult following for their critically acclaimed records, which featured a distinctive blend of hooks, varied musical styles, clever wordplay, and intricate, complex arrangements.-Inception:Seth Timbs had...
, and The Features
The Features
The Features are an American indie rock band from Tennessee. Though they have had limited success in the United States, they have been very well received in the United Kingdom and have a very loyal following in the Southeastern United States.-Early years:...
, and took place on August 19, 2005. A second show on September 10, 2005, was headlined by a reunited version of Self and also featured The Privates and SJ and the Props. A third show on December 3, 2005, featured John Cowan
John Cowan
John Cowan is an American soul music and progressive bluegrass vocalist and bass guitar player. He was the lead vocalist and bass player for the New Grass Revival...
and various musicians close to Mike. In addition, wristbands were made available for purchase and bore one of Mike's favorite phrases, "It's all good."
Annual Mike Mahaffey Tribute Show
A group of Mike's friends have continued the tradition started with the December 3, 2005 fundraiser. The Annual Mike Mahaffey Tribute Show is held every first Saturday after Thanksgiving in Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
, at Capone's (formally known as Gatsby's). Mike grew up in nearby Colonial Heights, Tenn., and later lived and played music in Johnson City. All proceeds from these shows go to an education fund for Mike's children.