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Biography: Mike Deasy - The Guitar Man
Born and raised in Southern California, Mike Deasy began playing the guitar and singing at a young age. By the time he was in high school in the middle 1950s, Mike was playing in rock concerts with artists like Ricky Nelson and the Everly Brothers. After graduation, he went on to tour as guitarist with the Coasters, Richie Valens, Eddie Cochran, and Duane Eddy.In the middle and late 1960s and early 1970s, Mike became one of the top studio guitarists in Los Angeles, working with performers such as Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Kenny Rogers, The Monkees, Sonny & Cher, Frank Zappa, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.
Mike also did many movie soundtracks including numerous Clint Eastwood films such as "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly", "High Plains Drifter", and the "Dirty Harry" movies. And Mike's guitar can even be heard on soundtracks from more recent movies like "Forest Gump", "Twins" and "The Rock".
Deasy would also perform on many TV shows such as "The Bill Cosby Show", "The Flip Wilson Show", "The Sonny & Cher Show", "The Smothers Brothers Show", "The Partridge Family", and the Saturday morning cartoon "Josie and the Pussycats". He also did many TV commercials, including Coca-Cola, and Barbie from Mattel Toys.
All through these life experiences, on the road and at home, he continued to write songs and study the musical arts, eventually achieving his lifetime dream of receiving a Doctorate in Music.
Since 1988, Deasy's "YES TO LIFE" school assembly program has been presented throughout the United States and Canada and even into Europe. It is having a powerful effect on the youth of today, their schools and their communities in a very lasting, positive way.
Most recently, Mike and Kathie Deasy have become pastors of The Rock Church in Port Arthur, Texas.
Contributed by: Rob Whitehurst
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