Revered by popular music artists/musicians Marty Stuart, Buddy Miller, David Roe and more, INO/Columbia’s powerhouse vocalist and former front rocker for the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies Mike Farris grabs national attention playing legendary venues and festivals while announcing his recent partnership with Paradigm Talent Agency.

Farris will perform two different times at the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Austin, TX, one of the largest music festivals in the U.S. SXSW is known to draw crowds by the thousands and among industry insiders is a place for discovering fresh talent. Along with Farris, scheduled to perform is music icon Dolly Parton, R.E.M, The Black Crowes, etc. The music event will run March 12th-16th, with Farris performing on the 11th at Stubb’s and the 13th for the AMA (Americana Music Association) showcase at the world famous blues venue, Antone’s (singers to grace Antone’s stage have been Bono & The Edge of U2, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello and many more).

“Mike is a star, and more than that a great person with an amazing jaw dropping voice,” says Executive Director of the Americana Music Association Jed Hilly. “Mikes appreciation for great music goes deep; his sound pays homage to great roots traditions that he makes uniquely contemporary. His gospel blues Americana show is a perfect fit for historic Antone’s.”

In addition to the SXSW Festival, Farris will play in concert at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on March 16th, opening for Steeldrivers and Fairfield Four; will be singing at the Historic Myrtle Beach Train Depot in May; has been invited to play on Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at Nashville’s hallowed Ryman Auditorium in June, and will perform at two Creation Fest’s in Pennsylvania and Washington States in mid-summer, along with many more dates.

Farris is seeing success both on-stage and with his 2007 studio release Salvation In Lights as it has been voted as one of the “Best Albums of 2007” by three different media outlets, including The Tennessean. This record continues to see chart success as well staying power on the Americana Radio Charts for twelve weeks and counting.

“We are excited to see Mike get all the duly deserved recognition on his fantastic release,” says VP of Sales and Marketing of Columbia Records Tyler Pittman. “It pleases us that he will be able to get a chance to perform for the world of music industry professionals and fans in Austin at SXSW and beyond.”

For more information on Farris and to hear audio clips from the critically-acclaimed Salvation In Lights, visit his YMZ artist page.