Mike Breen began his musical career in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania playing guitar and singing bluegrass music with his best friend Kenny Thompson. After a few years at Penn State University, Mike moved to Phoenix, Arizona and immediately got a gig in a folk duo called ‘Smith and Breen’ performing at the Salt Cellar restaurant and bar. During this time Mike met many musicians and songwriters including Darcie Deaville, now from Austin, Texas, whom he collaborated with on-stage and in the studio and co-wrote her much acclaimed song ‘Icy Barrel of a Loaded Gun’ on her debut CD and also on her Redwing release ‘Tornado in Slo-Mo.’

During the late 70’s and early 80’s, Mike performed at the Windmill Dinner Theater in Scottsdale, Arizona as a member of ‘The Barnstormers,’ a New Christy Minstrel style group. After a brief stint as a booking agent, Mike took up the electric guitar and began playing country music with Jim Bartlett and The Blue Hollar Band who worked consistently doing corporate events and private parties. This led to a stint with several bands at an 1880’s Western Town called Rawhide and after a few years, Mike got the call to join the Red River Opry Band that producer Mark Prentice was putting together for a 1000 seat venue in Tempe that featured some of the greatest musicians around.