An accomplished back-up musician from Western Nova Scotia, Michael Surette, known to most as Mike, has been playing bass and rhythm guitar since his early twenties.
A respected and sought after musician, known for his versatility and solid style, Mike not only plays with several local country bands, he can often be found playing bass for the Acadian bands in Western Nova Scotia. These are predominantly folk bans with musical styles influenced by Acadian, American, Celtic and French culture.
Mike’s interest in music began when a group of neighbourhood buddies got together to see what kind of noise they could make. This turned into their first band; “Wheatstone Bridge”, who played at local community centres, birthday parties, youth dances and other events. From there he went on to play with several country bands, including; “Herman and Friends”, “The Acadians”, “Just Jammin’”, and “Delbert Borque and Friends”. Mike is best known as a member of the local country dance band; “Rough Edges”, who played together and traveled throughout the province for over twenty years and produced four CDs. Mike also played bass on recordings with “Just Jammin’”, “Les Acadiennes” and David Burbine. All of these CDs have been played on CFIA Radio out of Clare, Nova Scotia.
Over the years, Mike has had the pleasure of playing bass with an extensive list of performers and entertainers, such as; Kayton Roberts and Roger Carroll, of the Rainbow Ranch Boys, many Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees and up and coming artists.
Mike has played bass in the house band for the Hank Snow Tribute and Summer Festival for over twenty years. He has been greeted many times as; “You’re the bass player from the Hank Snow Tribute!” Mike has also played bass for The Fox Mountain Open Mike sessions for more than ten years, for the Yarmouth Coalshed Music Festival from its beginning, and for various Hall of Fame shows throughout Western Nova Scotia.
Looked up to and respected by his fellow musicians for his impeccable timing, dedication and musical knowledge, Mike remains active with his music today. He has survived nine heart attacks and a quadruple bypass surgery. He firmly believes the music and support of his fellow musicians and family helped him through it all.
