When you learn he is native of New Orleans, spending his summers in Memphis growing up, moving to Oklahoma and  discovering Country & Gospel music, receiving an academic music education, and also living in Nashville for 3 years, Mike Ragland the drummer, starts to make more sense.

He's that one drummer.

First professional band at 15, first studio recordings at 17, on the road at 18. 

While in college, he had the sheer good fortune to join up with established Country artist Don Hayes (Blue Jean Bandits, Oklahoma Twister), with whom he spent four years. To this day, Mike credits the mentorship of Don and Tricia Hayes, Pat and Bonnie Burnside, Gary Ledford, Steve Story, and Tommy Carpenter and their relationship as some of the most important influences of his life.

 In 1991, he became the drummer for SonRise, a popular Canadian Christian Rock group and spent the next 2 ½ years with them, touring and recording across Canada and the U.S.

Presently, Mike is playing for Jake Gill on Jake's Small Town Boy Tour. He is also behind the drums for Singer/Songwriter Jesse Alan. From 2013 to 2020, Mike played and recorded with Moonlight Ford and along the way, with The Legendary Miss Blues, Killin' Time Band, Jared Deck, The Beatsmacks, Guardians of the Groove, High Speed Boom, and his dear friend, the late Pawnee Music Evangelist Ellis Horesechief .

From 2014-2015, he played in the house band for Leon Russell’s birthday celebrations alongside Leon’s longtime guitarist, Chris Simmons. 

He also logs considerable studio time with various Red Dirt, Country, Americana, R&B and Rock artists.

A Louisiana Creole, he likes Tabasco on… everything.

 December, 2023