'Here I Come Honky Tonk' Begins MT Bain's Music Journey

A Valley County resident since 2014, Mike Bain is most known for the technical support he provides throughout Valley County as the county's designated computer and technology person. Most recently, however, the timing has been right for Bain to enjoy another passion of his: being a singer and songwriter.

His first single, which is being released today, titled "Here I Come Honky Tonk," is the first of six singles being released to major online music platforms through March 2023. His other singles include "Walt's Song, which will be released Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, "Talk to Me," releasing Jan 13, "End of My Journey," releasing February 17 and "A Better Day," releasing March 24. He has plans to go back to the studio at the end of February or early March to produce another six songs.

"There is a backstory to every song that I have written. I feel a responsibility to create music that is relatable," explained Bain. "If I can't make music that is meaningful to other people, then I don't want to make music. As a performer, when people are enjoying the music, clapping their hands and dancing, that is the pay off."

Bain was born in North Carolina, raised in Louisiana and spent over 20 years in Texas raising his family before calling Valley County home. He currently resides in Opheim, after previously calling Hinsdale and Glasgow home.

Prior to moving, he had multiple experiences in Montana, specifically in the 1990s when he would come to the state to hunt. No matter where he visited, he stated everyone was wonderful and it reminded him of what life was like when he was younger. In the mid-2000s, his wife joined him to visit the area and sparked the seed to potentially move to the area once the kids were grown.

"In 2013, a dear friend called and stated they could use someone within Valley County with the skillset that I had. On New Year's in 2014, the current IT person suddenly passed away and so they really needed a tech person. After meeting with the Commissioners, we all agreed it was a good fit, and we moved in that February," recalled Bain.

After graduating from high school he joined the military where he started his IT career, moving from older electronics to the early computers. His career allowed him to migrate through the technology world. Following the military, he worked for Department of Defense (DOD) contractors using skills he picked up from the military. While working within the IT field, he performed at local venues throughout the Deep South, Texas and Montana for over 40 years and has written original songs for much of that time.

Bain, who goes by the stage name of MT Bain, decided now was the time to release his music to the general public and fulfill the musical passions that he has had since a child because it was "just the right time."

"I have been a music lover since I was a kid. I was made to go to church as a kid, and those were my first public appearances. I grew up with different genres, including Haggard and Jones, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles and Motown, a lot of different genres," he explained. He describes his country sound as old school honkytonk infused with 1970s era outlaw. His gospel sound is pure bluegrass and is a homage to his Dad's roots, growing up in the Appalachian area.

He credits his move to Valley County as the driving force in getting him to this point. "Musicians here have been gracious, interested and supportive in the songs that I have written and performed. They have really rallied together and have been wonderful. I have learned so much through so many people. I am a better songwriter and musician because of the other musicians in the area," he explained.

As a veteran of the Gulf War himself, veteran causes are near and dear to him. As a result, he will be a part of a free veteran benefit concert titled Hiline Veterans Benefit at the Cottonwood Inn on Saturday, Oct. 22. "The benefit will raise funds, through raffle tickets, for VFW and American Legions from Malta to Scobey. Due to a wonderful response from sponsors, we are able to donate 100 percent of the raffle to these organizations," explained Bain. "We would love to see this be the First Annual as we already have musicians in and out of the state interested and asking if they can play next year."

He will also be a part of a veteran benefit concert in Austin on Saturday, Nov. 9. The theme of this concert will be "Veterans Helping Heal," with the hope that having veterans in the various arts will help inspire other veterans to join in that sector.

Throughout his career, MT Bain has worked with regionally and nationally recognized musicians over the years including members of the Geezinslaws, Gary P Nunn, Gillian Welch and Kenny Weir bands. He's also a lifetime member of ASCAP and a member of the Nashville Songwriter's Association.

As he embars on this new journey, he is hoping to be the type of songwriter that Hank Williams, Sr., was, specifically writing music that is simple but powerful and will last generations.

You can check out MT Bain's music through his YouTube channel MTBain Music and his website http://www.mtbainmusic.com.