2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards In St. John last night, I received the inaugural Innovator of the Year Award 2012 Ontario Contact Award of Excellence

2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee for founding ArtsCan Circle

2009 Blow North feature film by Director Brian Wayne White which chronicles Mike’s ArtsCan trips is completed

2008 Legendary CBC journalist Mary Lou Findlay’s book As it Happens Files features a chapter on Mike

2003 35th Anniversary of CBC As It Happens Radio Show interview and performance by Mike

2002 ArtsCan Circle an organization linking creative artists with Indigenous youth at risk in Canada, was founded by Mike

2002 Mike’s version of Orange Blossom Special is featured in the book Orange Blossom Boys - (the history of the Orange Blossom Special)

2002 YMCA Mike receives the YMCA Canada Peace Medal

2002 (ongoing) Mike began volunteering with PGI Canada. Peter Gzowski founded this charity to raise money for Adult Literacy in Canada

2001 Harmonica Crossing a film about Mike directed by Brian Wayne White is released and wins Award

1999 (ongoing) Mike began traveling up to Northern Communities to work with Indigenous Youth

1997 Bluegrass Harmonica written by Mike is released worldwide by Hal Leonard Centerstream publishing

1995 Honor Roll Central Canadian Blue Grass Awards

1994 For his musical accomplishments Mike was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel (the highest honor given by the State of Kentucky)

1992 Blowing Up a Storm Top Selling Record Pincastle Records

1990 Harmonica Recording of the Year Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards

1990 -1994 Entertainer of the Year Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards

Quotes

"Mike Stevens' ‘Harmonica’ reminds me of the old Columbia recording of Flatt and Scruggs with Doc Watson. Probably one of the most inspired groupings on record, the ensemble consisted of Flatt and Scruggs with their fine band, Grady Martin on guitar and Doc Watson. Into this mix, Columbia added Charlie McCoy’s busy harmonica that simply interfered with the otherwise excellent string band music. Stevens' "Harmonica" neatly reverses this situation; here, the harmonica leads the band with melody and force. This recording is categorically excellent."
Bluegrass Unlimited

"Sarnia, Ontario's Mike Stevens is arguably the best harmonica player in country/bluegrass music today" Country Music News

I just love you... I mean your music!
Janette Carter (Carter Family)

"I’ve never seen anyone play a harmonica like you play a harmonica" Roy Acuff - King of Country Music

"What is that noise" Mike’s Parents

"Mike Stevens was the musical discovery of the weekend for me …..I knew the Sarnia harmonica player was suppose to be good. But That Good Wow Stevens understands and feels a lot more about the blues than the guitar-heavies at Bluesfest will ever know" James Reaney - The London Free Press

Mike Stevens’ talent is as unorthodox as his career trajectory. As an Innovative, Groundbreaking, Performer, Educator and Author Mike Stevens continues to expand the paradigms of Harmonica, balancing tradition with cutting edge innovation.
Mike has toured the world with legendary Bluegrass music stars and Grand Ole Opry members Jim & Jesse. He can count among his fans Roy Acuff, - the King of country music. Roy would in fact make special trips to the Opry stage just to watch Mike play. Mike has logged more than 300 appearances on the world famous Grand Ole Opry stage and is a true pioneer of Bluegrass Harmonica; creating a much copied style of playing.

Mike continues to pioneer looping techniques with voice and harmonica, which have been spreading throughout the world. Mike’s solo concerts and his Avant Garde "Soundscape" performances with world renown Magnum photojournalist Larry Towell continue to push the boundaries.
When Mike performs, the Harmonica becomes a musical paintbrush with no limits. "He literally Breathes In the World and Breathes out Music." For reviews of Mike's CD's visit Mike's Store
Mike is also the founder of Artscan Circle a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth in remote
communities across Canada.