About Mike
Lucky Man, the newest album from singer-songwriter Mike Stack, is more than a title—it’s a reflection of who he feels he’s become. But as the old saying goes, luck doesn’t just happen. If that’s true, then Stack’s many years of good intentions, a vagabond spirit, and enduring talent may be what truly led him here. The third instalment in his solo recording trilogy came to life, in his words, “after encouragement from friends and family who know me best—and the realization that if I didn’t do it, I’d regret it.”
With that decision made, “everything started falling into place.” That “everything” includes eleven songs written by Stack and recorded under the expert guidance of multi-award-winning artist and producer Steve Dawson. Dawson assembled a stellar cast of musicians and vocalists to bring Lucky Man to life. The result is a heartfelt, roots-rich album—filled with ballads, toe-tapping bluegrass, and Cajun-tinged grooves—Canadiana and Americana music fans will surely connect with. In addition to producing, Dawson also lends his instrumental talents to the album, alongside celebrated players like Dave Jacques (John Prine), Fats Kaplin (John Prine, Kane Welch Kaplin), Jen Gunderman (Sheryl Crow), Justin Amaral (Junior Brown), and harmony vocalists Maya de Vitry and Nicki Bluhm. “They’re all artists I admire whose paths crossed mine at just the right time,” says Stack. “I couldn’t be happier—or more grateful—for how it all came together.”
Stack’s musical path began in a Nova Scotia High School. On a dare he auditioned for and secured the part of Bill Sykes in the musical Oliver Twist. A standout performance led to a two-week summer session vocal scholarship at Kings College on the prestigious Dalhousie University Campus. Stack had to learn by ear as he was the only student that could not read music (and still can't).
Stack had to rely on that ability when he bought his first guitar in 1983 while working at a Rocky Mountain outdoor camp. A few friends taught him a few chords — and soon he was performing at cafés, covering the songs of his songwriting heroes like John Prine, Guy Clark, Valdy and Diamond Joe White. “That’s when my own songs started flowing and I wanted to spend more time writing and less time learning other people's songs."
Those early songs and his growing performance chops landed him a spot in The Burners, a band that released the fan and critic favourite Low Tech High Torque produced by Billy Cowsill. They toured across Canada—headlining their own shows and opening for acts like The Georgia Satellites, Blue Rodeo, The Tragically Hip and Jeff Healey.
What followed, in Stack’s words, was “a bunch of original songs and my crazy drive to be the leader of my own original band.” That drive led to The Grift, a bluesy, Tex-Mex-infused outfit known for high-energy live shows and two acclaimed albums, Forerunners Gun and Out in the Cold. For almost a decade, The Grift became a staple of Western Canada’s A-list club and festival circuit.
With a growing catalogue of songs and a desire to tell more personal stories, Stack eventually launched his solo career—releasing I Need Wheels and, a few years later, 98 Years. Both albums earned spots on critics’ year-end top ten lists and enjoyed international airplay in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Japan, Texas, Australia and across Canada. His recordings and performance chops led to appearances at renowned events and venues including the Calgary Folk Music Festival, Bow Valley Music Club, North Country Fair, South Country Fair, Northern Lights Folk Club, New Moon Folk Club, Calgary Folk Club, Nickelodeon Folk Club. He also landed opening slots on shows for Willie P Bennett, Corb Lund, Ray Bonneville, Kane Welch Kaplin, Stephen Fearing, May Moore and Jimmy Rankin.
Now, as he embraces this Lucky Man chapter of his musical journey, Mike Stack—true to his self-proclaimed title as a “travelling man”—plans to keep writing, recording, and connecting. With new songs, seasoned collaborators, and the same heartfelt intentions that brought him here, the road ahead looks promising.