Mike the Guitar Man put Riverside on the map
Guitar Man went from busking on the streets of Rosebank to becoming a sought-after performer at events across the country.
Meet Michael Baloyi (54), from Riverside known as Mike the Guitar Man, whose passion for music has turned him into a local legend. His love affair with music began at a young age, inspired by his uncle who adored the late Steve Kekana’s classic hits.
At the age of 13, Mike enrolled at FUBA Music Academy in Johannesburg, where he honed his skills on the guitar and piano.
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This marked the beginning of his musical journey which would take him to the vibrant streets of Rosebank, where he would busk at pay stations and showcase his talents to the public. It was there that Mike earned his moniker ‘The Guitar Man’, as people began to take notice of his exceptional performances.
Word spread quickly, and soon Mike was in high demand for events of all kinds – weddings, markets, house parties, school functions, and work functions. His performances include cover versions of iconic artists like Tracy Chapman, Phil Collins, Lionel Richie, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Lucky Dube, and Ringo Starr. His clients rave about his thoughtful song choices, which always seem to know the right note to hit to keep the party going.
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Despite the challenges of securing gigs, Mike’s exceptional song choices have earned him a loyal following and a steady stream of bookings. “Getting gigs is very tough but my song choices make me get calls now and then for performances. Song requests from my clients keep me motivated and inspired and help me to learn more music and add to my song list.”
For those just starting in the music industry, Mike offers some valuable advice, “Have confidence in what you’re doing – it’s not easy but the journey is walkable.” He also emphasises the importance of embracing technology and using new tools to further one’s career.
In a world where music has the power to unite and uplift, Mike the Guitar Man continues to enchant audiences with his talent and passion.
Performances can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube under the handle Mike The Guitar Man.
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