MIKE ZITO Source: Nashville City Paper Date: 06/2008 Writer: n/a

He’s now one of the finest contemporary blues guitarists, vocalists and bandleaders in the country, but the sounds of heavy metal were what first hooked Mike Zito.

“It was a Van Halen record, I don’t even remember now exactly which one, but that was the thing that really got me excited about playing the guitar,” Zito said.

There’s plenty of excitement revolving around his latest release Today (Electo Groove Records) that matches him with Grammy-winning producer David Z., plus such tremendous musicians as keyboardist Benmont Tench (from Mudcrutch and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker and Boz Scaggs), co-producer/drummer Tony Braunagel (Taj Mahal, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt) and percussionist Michito Sanchez (Nelly Furtado, Steve Winwood, Elton John and Crosby, Stills & Nash).

But Zito, who’ll performs Tuesday night at Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar (9 p.m., 220 Printers Alley, 242-5837) heading a trio with bassist Mike “Bike” Baker and drummer Gabe Strange, also doesn’t shy away from discussing rough periods in his life that he feels helped him truly appreciate the value of playing music and understanding the difference between enjoying life and heading down a path of self destruction.

“I got really caught up for a while in the whole drugs and alcohol thing, mainly because of not understanding the necessity for self-discipline and dedication to music,” Zito said. “I really got lost in a whole set of bad things, and was just fortunate enough to find
some good people, especially my wife, and others who helped me out of it.”

Zito has plenty of talent, both as a soloist and singer. He honed his skills working around the St. Louis area for several years, where he saw not only top national blues players such as Buddy Guy, B.B. King and Albert Collins come through regularly, but also worked with many fine regional and local players who played around town.

“In truth I could have just stayed in St. Louis and had a pretty good career,” Zito said. “It’s an area that has an amazing amount of blues and R&B talent, and there are places you can play regularly.”

Still, he’s not only overcome personal difficulties, he’s become a topflight national performer who has shared the stage with everyone from Chuck Berry and Tab Benoit to Bernard Allison and Joe Bonamassa. Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Music was so impressed after seeing Zito that he signed him to a deal with his record label. Zito also recently inked a deal with Rick Booth/Intrepid Artists.

“I feel so blessed to be on a label and with people truly interested in furthering my career and music,” Zito said. “It’s a whole new chapter in my life, and it’s something wonderful after what I went through earlier.”