Time is right for Mikie in country music charts
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A CAITHNESS singer/songwriter hit the right note with his second single which has gone to number two in the iTunes Country Music Charts.
Now is the Time, by Mikie Henderson from Keiss, also reached number 46 in the iTunes Singles Charts, narrowly missing out on a top 40 slot but getting a higher placing than well-known names such as Sam Smith, Kylie, Van Morrison, Drake and Ava Max.
The 26-year-old, who gave up a career in systems engineering in the defence sector to pursue his dream of being a musician, is thrilled with his success.
"I can't believe it," he said. "I just want to thank every single person that downloaded the song. It means more to me than I can put into words."
Mikie's aim for Now is the Time, which was released last Friday, was to beat the chart position of his debut single If Only, which peaked at number 71 in the Country Music Charts.
The musician – who is also an award-winning Gaelic singer – is gaining a big following with fans all over the north and as far away as Australia, Canada and America.
"The song is a simple one – it is about coming home to your loved one at the end of the day," said Mikie, who described the release as "a fusion of classic guitar solos and hooks along with a catchy chorus".
He had hoped to spend 2020 playing at festivals all over the country and in Europe but they were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mikie has put the downtime to good use, though, and has written follow-up material. He has been unable to get back into the studio because of the Covid-19 restrictions but hopes to rehearse with his band and record again "when things get a bit easier".
He said: "I spent a long time considering how much I could realistically rely on music given how volatile the industry is anyway, never mind with the coronavirus. I wouldn't say I'd given up, but my motivation was at an all-time low.
"Any songs I did write were, in a sense, escapism from Covid. I put myself in a completely different place and I just forgot about everything that's going on."
His success with the single has lifted his mood, though. Mikie added: "This has certainly picked up my spirits and given me a kick in the right direction."
Mikie was the frontman of popular local band the Chicken Pickers, who staged a sold-out reunion show in Wick Assembly Rooms in June 2019. He attributes a lot of his musical success to the influence of Addie Harper Jnr, having originally been taught keyboard by the nationally renowned musician and tutor.
Mikie went on to feature in Addie's band on several occasions and also toured the UK with Manson Grant and the Dynamos and The Country Side of Brandon McPhee.
