Growing up in a musical family in Des Moines, IA, Mike Sciachitano was destined for a career in music. He toured extensively, performing with various bands, including Flipside, a group that frequently played in Kearney at Maxwell’s and was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
After forging strong connections in Kearney, Mike decided to stay, ending his touring days to work at Yanda’s Music and ProAudio. He quickly became a fixture in the local music scene, playing in bands such as The OK Sisters, The Wizards, Code Blue, and Bases Loaded, as well as performing solo acoustic gigs. Recognized as one of the area’s top guitarists, he’s had the opportunity to open for artists like Kenny G, Lee Ann Womack, Restless Heart, and John Elefante of Kansas. His sharp musical instincts allow him to step in and play lead guitar for various groups with little notice.
Beyond performing, Mike served on the Kearney Area Arts Council board, organizing Concerts in the Park, and contributes to his church’s praise team. With over 40 years of experience as a composer and studio musician, he long aspired to record his own music. That dream materialized when he met his wife, Diane, a lyricist who lacked a performance instrument. Together, they formed The Shockitanos, co-writing nearly 100 songs and producing multiple albums.
Their song Make It Sweet won first place in the 2019 Indie International Songwriting Contest (Country/Americana), opening doors and fueling Mike’s passion for recording. His Fireside Studio will eventually be available for artists seeking high-quality production, benefiting from his expertise on drums, banjo, mandolin, slide guitar, and bass.
Mike’s goals remain simple: to keep learning, writing, and playing—while getting his music into films.
