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Mike Anderson’s rapid launch into the music industry began at 15 years of age when he recorded at SRD Recording Studios and subsequently signed his first management contract with Aldora Artists Management. At the time, he was also a vocalist for local OC pop band Harvest. The band had extensive air time with their original compositions and won a series of songwriting competitions on the KNAC radio program Exposure Time.

As one of the band’s lead vocalists and songwriters, Mike worked closely with legendary record producer Robert Blackwell (affectionately known as “Bumps”) and signed a management contract with him at 17 years of age. Bumps managed, produced and mentored artists such as Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Sonny and Cher, Jimi Hendrix, and Little Richard. Bumps is also known for having written some of Richard’s biggest hits, producing You Send Me by Sam Cooke and professionally coaching Quincy Jones. With Bumps as his mentor, Mike learned the A&R side of the music industry and worked closely with him until his passing in 1985. During this time, Mike played original music at clubs like The Whiskey a Go Go, The Roxy, The Troubadour, and Gazzari’s. He went on to collaborate with former teen idol singer Donnie Brooks, booking shows and promoting the program 50 Years Of Rock and Roll, which showcased artists from the 50s and 60s. Mike also worked as a music consultant to many of these artists during this time.

As a result of this extensive experience in the music industry, Mike has been interviewed and included in NAMM’s oral history library twice. Today, Mike is actively involved in many facets of the OC arts scene, including advocating for access to quality music education for low-income youth, and increased funding for music education. Mike is President of the RYTMO Board, a non-profit he helped co-found in 2003, and is also the Executive Director of its music and music technology program. In these roles, he develops, maintains, and oversees relationships with community organizations, local media, and city agencies essential for RYTMO’s growth and development. In 2021, Mike led a team in creating a new RYTMO curriculum which is now copyright-protected and used by over 55,000 disenfranchised youth locally and internationally.