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Mike Hammar and The Nails

  • Home
  • EPK for Venues
    • EPK - Electronic press Kit
  • Music
  • The MHaTNs Music Store
  • Bio
  • Contact
  • Press
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Photos
    • Blues World
    • Shows
    • More blues pix...1
  • Video
  • Stage Plot MH&TNs

EPK - Electronic press Kit

Mike Hammar and The Nails

Contemporary Blues Band

Mike Hammar and The Nails is a contemporary blues band from Central California. The original core of the band is made up of power trio, Mike Hammar on guitar and vocals, Sparky Gehres on bass guitar, and Greg Merino on the drums. They have performed their style of blues since 2001. The band has two original albums to their credit which have been nominated for Independent Music Awards and Native American Music Awards. Accolades include winning the Monterey Bay Battle of the Blues Bands and two-time winner of the Modesto Area Music Awards for Best Jazz/Blues Band. Their original music has been featured on Serius XM BB King Bluesville and is currently available on Spotify, iTunes, and  Amazon. For the past 22 years this band has enjoyed performing at blues/music festivals, community concerts, fairs, and clubs up and down the state. Their music and performances are best described as eclectic, energetic, rocking, and funky. Mike's current line up includes harmonica guru Mike "The Professor" Boykin. Special guest hot rod guitarist, Rob Tracy, performs with the band on some of their dates as well. 

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Music

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  1. 1
    Recipe for the Blues 4:44
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  2. 2
    Yes I Will 6:01
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    Arrested at the Catfish Fry 4:18
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  4. 4
    Carry On 6:59
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  5. 5
    Down at the Junction 4:37
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  6. 6
    Suited for the Blues 4:20
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  7. 7
    Who's Richer than Who 4:36
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  8. 8
    Before Miss Katrina 4:08
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  9. 9
    Chopped Hambrosia 2:41
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  10. 10
    This Ain't Goodbye 5:59
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  11. 11
    Workin' Overtime 5:16
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Press photos

Live Video

Press / Reviews

 Blues Blast Magazine - April 28, 2011 Issue Based out    of northern California, this band has tearing up the West Coast for the    last decade, highlighted by their being named the winner of the 2009    Monterey Bay Blues Festival Battle of the Bands. Mike Hammar is the    front man, handling the lead vocals and guitar. He also wrote all twelve    tunes on this project as well as producing the recording. Possessing   a powerful voice, Hammar is able to hold the listener’s interest by    varying his vocal approach from track to track. And his fervent guitar    work is a consistent highlight throughout the disc. His bandmates    include Allen “B3 Blues” Carroll on organ & keyboards, “Harmonica” Jim    Pedersen on harp, Sparky Gehres on bass and Greg Merino on drums. Photos    of the group included with the package suggest that they are hardy    veterans of music as well as life. The disc    opens with the title track, which is built around the John Lee Hooker’s    boogie riff. Hammar describes learning about the blues from his father’s    records as he barks out a laundry list of blues legends. “Arrested at    the Catfish Fry” takes a humorous look at a night out on the town gone    all wrong. Hammar, Carroll and Pedersen all turn in lively solos. The    band shifts to a funkier groove on “Miss Katrina”, which could serve as    a travel guide for some of New Orleans highlights.The    proceedings shift to a gospel-tinged vein on “Yes I Will”, with Hammar’s    eloquent vocal and soulful guitar picking making this track one of the    highlights. “Carry On” works the darker side of the human experience as    the leader belts out a message of hope in the face of life’s travails.    Carroll fleshes out the arrangement with fat chords from his organ.    “Suited for the Blues,” sounds like it was borrowed from the Robert Cray    playbook. The grinding rhythm of “Down at the Junction” provides a    launching pad for a fiery solo from Hammar. Pedersen    and Carroll trade licks on “Workin’ Overtime” before the leader turns in    another solo that burns up the fretboard on his guitar. Pedersen’s harp    is featured on “Who’s Richer Than Who”, which has a country music feel    and is the weakest song on the disc. Everybody gets a chance to stretch    out on the lone instrumental “Hambrosia” with Hammar and Carroll once    again distinguishing themselves.Hammar    pours out his grief on the passing of his mother on, “This Ain’t    Goodbye”. Pedersen’s mournful harp tones lead into Carroll’s organ,    which takes you to church before Hammar’s heartfelt singing and gentle    guitar picking closes out the disc.There is    plenty to enjoy on this release. This band of veterans really works well    together plus they have the very capable Mike Hammar leading the way. If    they could put together a full program of material on a par with songs    like “Yes I Will” and “Carry On”, there would be no holding them back.    This one is definitely worth a listen.  Reviewer      Mark Thompson is president     of the Crossroads     Blues Society in Rockford, IL.

Stockton Record - Blue Titans Get Together for a Friendly Musical Summit They're calling it a "summit," not a showdown or a smackdown. Mike Hammar and Steve Johnson - who started building their blues-rock portfolios in the Central Valley - have way too much respect for each other to go all WWE. They'll be negotiating with their blues guitars and bands during Saturday night's East-West Blues Guitar Summit ...  Click on the link for the full story!

Monterey Herald - Monterey Stage "Magical Saturday's hour long performance was entirely original music, highlighted by the pulsating drums and bass of "Take Me Back," swampy harp on "Down at the Junction" and eclectic keyboards in Recipe for the Blues," the title track of their newest album, released last month. Hammar's vocals are grinding, lifting, creative, and pitch-perfect, and his guitar riffs are world class, which presumably is why he's shared billings at other shows with the likes of Johnny Winter, Elvin Bishop, and Charlie Musselwhite. Dennis Taylor The Monterey Herald

Stage plot & tech rider

Stage Plot for MH&TNs 4-Piece 57.2 KB
Stage Plot MH&TNs 5-Piece 63.2 KB

Upcoming shows

    Apr 22 2023

    Mike Hammar and The Nails at Tribute to Merced Music Legends @ Merced Multicultural Arts Center

    Mike Hammar and The Nails at Tribute to Merced Music Legends @ Merced Multicultural Arts Center,
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    May 12 2023

    Mike Hammar and The Nails @ The Tri-Tipery

    Mike Hammar and The Nails @ The Tri-Tipery,
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    May 13 2023

    Private Party

    Private Party
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    Jun 19 2023

    Music at Memorial Park - Mike Hammar and The Nails @ Music at Memorial - Memorial Park in Livingston, Ca.

    Music at Memorial Park - Mike Hammar and The Nails @ Music at Memorial - Memorial Park in Livingston, Ca.,
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    Jul 29 2023

    Mariposa Arts Park, Mariposa

    Music on the Green - MH&TNs @ Mariposa Arts Park, Mariposa
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    Mar 18 2023

    Mike Hammar and The Nails @ The Partisan

    Mike Hammar and The Nails @ The Partisan,
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    Dec 17 2022

    The Partisan, Merced

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ The Partisan, Merced
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    Oct 1 2022

    The Hangar, Merced

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with Special Guest Rob Tracy @ The Hangar, Merced
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    Sep 17 2022

    The Tarmac, Atwater

    Our Drummer, Greg Merino's Birthday Bash Show - Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ The Tarmac, Atwater
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    Sep 10 2022

    Private Party - Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin

    Private Party - Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin
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    Aug 24 2022

    Concerts in the Park - Westside Memorial Park, Tuolumne

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with Special Guest Rob Tracy @ Concerts in the Park - Westside Memorial Park, Tuolumne
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    Aug 12 2022

    Nino's, Modesto

    Mike Hammar and The Nails @ Nino's, Modesto
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    Aug 6 2022

    KALifornia Nights -Mike Hammar and The Nails with "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ KAL Estate

    KALifornia Nights -Mike Hammar and The Nails with "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ KAL Estate,
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    Jul 16 2022

    Mariposa Arts Park, Mariposa

    Music On The Green - Mike Hammar and The Nails with "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ Mariposa Arts Park, Mariposa
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    Jul 9 2022

    Corbin Cash, Atwater

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ Corbin Cash, Atwater
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    Jul 6 2022

    Twilight Concert at Esplanade Park, Capitola

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ Twilight Concert at Esplanade Park, Capitola
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    Jul 4 2022

    Castle Aviation Center Parade Field, Atwater

    Independence Day Celebration Concert Mike Hammar and The Nails with Rob Tracy and "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ Castle Aviation Center Parade Field, Atwater
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    Jun 20 2022

    Music at Memorial - Memorial Park in Livingston, Ca., Livingston

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with Special Guest Rob Tracy @ Music at Memorial - Memorial Park in Livingston, Ca., Livingston
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    Jun 18 2022

    The MAC, Merced

    A Night of Blues and Brews - Mike Hammar and The Nails with "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ The MAC, Merced
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    Jun 11 2022

    Mariposa Arts Park, Mariposa

    Music on The Green - Mike Hammar and The Nails with "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ Mariposa Arts Park, Mariposa
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    Mar 18 2022

    The Tri-Tipery, Ballico

    Mike Hammar and The Nails with "The Professor" Mike Boykin @ The Tri-Tipery, Ballico
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    Sep 7 2019

    Make a Wish Concert - Private @ Make a Wish Concert (Private)

    Make a Wish Concert - Private @ Make a Wish Concert (Private),
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    Aug 31 2019

    Mariposa County Fair, Mariposa

    Mariposa Fair - Blues Concert @ Mariposa County Fair, Mariposa
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    Jul 27 2019

    Mariposa Arts Park Summer Concert Series, Mariposa

    Mike Hammar and The Nails Summer Concert @ Mariposa Arts Park Summer Concert Series, Mariposa
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    Jul 20 2019

    Bertaina Ranch Music Festival, Merced

    Mike Hammar and The Nails @ Bertaina Ranch Music Festival, Merced
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    1. 1
      Recipe for The Blues 4:44
      Info
      0:00/4:44
    2. 2
      Before Miss Katrina 4:08
      Info
      0:00/4:08
    3. 3
      Down at the Junction 4:37
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