Mike ‘the drifter’ Flanigin
Mike 'The Drifter' Flanigin is a shining light of the Texas Blues scene. A master Player, Singer, Songwriter and Grammy-nominated Producer. Known for both his solo work, and also in collaborations with Texas guitar legends Jimmie Vaughan & Billy Gibbons. From dancehalls and beer joints across Texas… to Madison Square Garden, Royal Albert Hall, The LA Forum & The Montreux Jazz Festival.
Originally from Denton, Texas…Flanigin has been part of the Austin Blues scene since 1991 when he became a member of the Antone’s House Band, backing up many of the original blues legends… from Junior Wells to Earl King.
In 2009, Mike teamed up with Jimmie Vaughan in a trio that continues to this day. The results of which can be heard on ‘Live At C-Boys’, The Jimmie Vaughan Trio featuring Mike Flanigin. Texas-sized jams with Billy Gibbons led to their own trio dates, ZZ Top sit-ins (including an appearance on the ZZ Top ‘Live At Montreux’ DVD), Billy’s first solo album Perfectamundo and touring band The BFGs.
Flanigin’s first solo album, The Drifter was released in 2015. Featured on NPR, Texas Monthly, Billboard… Rolling Stone Magazine called it a singular vision “…with Flanigin creating his own version of atmospheric Americana.”
January 2024 saw the Sony Music/Orchard release of Flanigin’s second album, ‘West Texas Blues.’ It’s 10 cuts of deep blues from the Lone Star State.
2024-25 marks the release of the Bluegrass singles, beginning with the self-penned ‘When My Baby Plays The Cannonball’. Recorded in Nashville with some of the finest Bluegrass players of today: Rob & Ronnie McCoury, Mike Bub, Alan Bartram, Deanie Richardson, Guthrie Trapp and Christian Ward. 3 singles and videos will be released, leading up to a full length album to come in 2026. Flanigin will make his Grand Ole Opry debut July 23, 2025.