Hangin’ Out with Nashville’s Honkytonk Hitman

Many visitors to Nashville's Lower Broadway Honky-Tonk Area might not know the Honkytonk Hitman by his given name, Mike Rodgers, but most have seen him perform. He has entertained thousands upon thousands on the Nashville Music Scene for years.

Join Nashville.about.com writer Mary Maggart as she interviews one of Nashville's most well known Honky Tonk Musicians as he is preparing his upcoming CD "Walkin' Contradiction". We have found that Mike is a great entertainer as well a very grounded, funny, and intelligent person with a big ole heart of gold.

Mary: What was your most cherished memory from your childhood in Arkansas?
Mike: My most cherished memories are spending Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve at my Grandma & Grandpa Rodgers in Conway. The whole family would get together and celebrate every year and I would get to see all of my cousin's, aunt's, and uncle's.

Mary: And what do you miss most about Arkansas?
Mike: I miss being able to see my family as much as I would like. My father and I make it a point to talk on the phone at least once a week.

Mary: What keeps you grounded and real... what makes you never forget where you came from?
Mike: The birth of my son Michael Jr. forced me to grow up and be responsible. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. I carry my very first boxing license with me in my wallet as a reminder of where I came from. I was living out of my car at the time and it has the address of a local Honky Tonk so that they could mail it to me.

Mary: Next month you are being inducted into the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame... what does that mean to you?
Mike: Well first let me say that although I am very honored to receive this award I am also a little overwhelmed with the feeling that I am incredibly undeserving of this great achievement. But, It will be a special night for my family and me.

Mary: Your dad is a big influence in your life, what one thing have you learned from him that you apply in your own adult life today?
Mike: Never eat the yellow snow. I still don't to this day.

Mary: Most people who really know you know that you are a very funny guy... who did you inherit your quick wit and humor from?
Mike: I have recently discovered that the older I get the more I am like my father in so many ways. We both have a quit wit and an odd sense of humor. I use to watch my father and my uncle David or my aunt Judy go back in forth at the dinner table with these quick one liners that would have you on the floor holding your gut from laughing so hard. They could have had their own comedy show. When I zing out one-liners on stage and I watch the crowd bust out laughing, I just smile because I know exactly where I picked up that talent.

Mary: Where did you get the name "Honkytonk Hitman"?
Mike: I got the nickname from a drunk in the crowd before they announced me in my first pro boxing match. Everyone heard it so the announcer introduced me as the "Honkytonk Hitman" Mike Rodgers. I knocked out my opponent in the first round and the name just stuck.

Mary: What have you found to be the most important lesson you have learned since you started your career in country music?
Mike: When you are trying to get started in the music business you will get confronted by several crooks posing as managers, producers, or whatever. If someone in the business really believes in you and your talent then they will never ask you to pay anything out of your pocket to get your career started. I never fell for this trick, but I have witnessed several that have fallen for these scams.
The other thing that I learned is that Broadway was like a double-edged sword for me. I called it my "musical crack" because the instant gratification of hearing a cheering crowd and making quick cash can become quite addicting. People come to Nashville and think they should make a living by doing only music. This mistake usually sends most back home quickly. If they are lucky enough to land a gig on Broadway then they usually think that they will be discovered by some record agent that has come in for a drink.
The reality is that music row types just don't go down to Broadway to look for new talent to sign to their label and if you have developed a following big enough to carry a buzz to music row you will probably be labeled a club singer. You see there is some truth to that too.