Michael Patrick Mizwinski, known more simply as Mike Miz, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from the Wyoming Valley of Northeast Pennsylvania. Raised in a family steeped in music and art, Mike was immersed in creative influence from a young age. His father, a guitarist and music major, taught him his first chords at age seven, while his mother introduced him to a wide range of artists from Doc Watson to Bonnie Raitt. Early concert experiences with the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead left a lasting mark on his musical direction. By 15, Mike was performing in local bars and festivals with his first band, the Appalachian Barnhouse Band, penning early originals like “Canyon Echoes Glow” and “Pinegrove Stomp,” which remain fan favorites to this day. His guitar chops and stage presence quickly gained regional attention. In his early 20s, he joined Gongzilla—an offshoot of the cult European fusion band Gong- making his debut with the group at a NAMM jam at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles, performing alongside members of The Mothers of Invention, Umphrey’s McGee, and moe. In 2010, Mike launched his own project, MiZ, fusing Americana, rock ‘n’ roll, jam band energy, and vintage songwriting. The band’s debut album, East Hope Avenue, produced by Bret Alexander (The Badlees), featured a guest appearance by Garth Hudson of The Band, and two songs from the record were later featured in the FX series Sons of Anarchy. It was during these years that Mike began to open for many of his heroes, most notably- Derek Trucks, Jason Isbell, the Wallflowers, Chris Issak, America, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Blues Traveler, Shawn Colvin and many more.  After relocating to Nashville in 2019 to deepen his focus on songwriting, Mike quickly earned the respect of the city’s music community. His playing, writing, and work ethic led to collaborations with artists such as Andrew Farriss (INXS), Billy Ray Cyrus, Paul McDonald, Tania Elizabeth (Avett Brothers) and a new project with Grammy-winner Forrest O’Connor. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry and recorded in some of Nashville’s most revered studios, including Blackbird and Zac Brown’s Southern Ground. In April 2023, he released Only Human, his first Nashville album under Blackbird Record Label, followed by Maybe Moonlight in December 2024. Both records received praise from outlets like Relix, Paste, and The Bluegrass Connection, with the single “Virginia” described by Rolling Stone as “a monster of a jam rocker.” Known for his soulful, high-energy performances and heartfelt songwriting, Mike continues to tour extensively—averaging over 200 shows a year—and his new album Sometimes By Surprise came out on Blackbird Record Label on September 19 of 2025.