Versatile Musician Mike Lenhart of El Dorado Hills
Jan 27, 2016 10:18AM ● By David Norby
As a young musician, Mike Lenhart dabbled in jazz and learned to play many of the popular songs everyone sang along to on the radio. When he was just 14, the musician got his professional start with the band Colossus, which toured locally at elementary schools. Ever since, the freelance guitarist continues to hold his own on stage, cherishing every minute. Whether solo or with his bandmates from Triage and Sierra Strings, Lenhart captivates crowds at numerous neighborhood hot spots including El Dorado Saloon, The Wine Smith, Cozmic Café, Smith Flat House, Crystal Basin Cellars, and Boeger Winery.
HLB: How would you describe your music?
ML: Versatile—from jazz and rock to Americana, country and beyond. I like writing complex jazz chords and progressions, but always appreciate simple chord turnarounds with clever melodies.
HLB: Where do you find inspiration for songwriting?
ML: I become inspired when I’m “noodling” on the guitar. I come across melodies or chord changes that provoke an emotion or a kind of story in my head and develop from there.
HLB: Do you have an album in the works?
ML: Triage is an original band that’s composed of two talented members, Jamie Judd and Rob Ringger, and myself. We’re finishing a three-plus year project for our first, self-titled album Triage. It has a lot of good music—a little jazzy, with some progressive and alternative [sounds], and a sprinkle of the Beatles, all wrapped up with thought-provoking lyrics.
HLB: What do you love about performing?
ML: A live performance has energy, from the music and the crowd. It’s an exciting, spontaneous feeling. As a live performer, there’s only one chance to do it right; if you accomplish that, it’s very rewarding.
HLB: When you were starting out, what’s one piece of advice you wish someone would’ve given you?
ML: As a young musician, I received lots of great advice from my father, friends and teachers. Advice I’d like to pass on would be to take your profession seriously—be on time, have your work ready, be wary of the pitfalls and don’t let them trip you off track, and always save a little music to share with friends and loved ones.
HLB: Where did you grow up?
ML: In 1971, when I was 11 years old, my family moved to El Dorado County. I consider this my hometown and continue to live here with my wife and four daughters. I love so many things about our county: the recreational opportunities, the breathtakingly beautiful scenery, the local hometown feel of it, and best of all, the kind people who live here.
HLB: What’s your opinion of the local music scene?
ML: Per capita, it’s quite incredible how many talented and successful musicians we have in our area. In the past, El Dorado High School’s Jazz Band represented our state and traveled to Europe. It’s unfortunate to see how little money is given to the music programs in our schools nowadays. As Plato said: “Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other…” which says it all.