MIKE ZITO Source: The Huntzville Times Date: 06/2008 Writer: Jon Busdeker

Mike Zito never gave up.

When he was a guitar store clerk, working in the day and playing music at night, he didn't quit.

When Zito took a pay cut so he could play original tunes, he didn't quit.

When he was homeless and abusing drugs and alcohol, Zito didn't let the dream of becoming a full-time musician fade away.

Now, more than 30 years since he picked up his first electric guitar, Zito is still rocking out, writing songs and determined to make it in the music business.

"What else would I do?," Zito asked during a phone interview from California.

Zito will play at Humphrey's tonight in his first performance in Huntsville. He's in town to promote his latest album, "Today."

Born in St. Louis, Zito's first brush with music came when he received a Van Halen album for his birthday. Then he got his first electric guitar and made the decision to one day become a musician.

"That's like the worst possible choice in life," Zito said. "There's no guarantee to make it."

Out of high school, Zito started working at a local guitar shop where early rock 'n' roller Chuck Berry and bluesman Bennie Smith bought guitars.

Besides learning how to sell instruments, Zito learned about new styles of music. "A whole world opened up," Zito said.

But that "new music" was stuff Zito had never heard before, like old R& B tracks, Motown tunes and music by Eric Clapton. (Zito considers himself a huge Clapton fan and tries to incorporate a "Slowhand" feel on his albums.)

While working days at the guitar store, Zito played at the clubs and bars in St. Louis. Then he moved to Texas, where Zito started drinking and doing drugs. Zito eventually sought help, and credits his wife for getting him refocused on his music career.

Zito's been sober for five years, and in that time he's released four albums and played hundreds of shows across the United States. "Everything I ever wanted to do came true in the last five years," Zito said.

Zito's life experiences, combined with what he's learned in the past five years, are captured on "Today," he said. "Everything is today, and you have to make the most of it," Zito said.