Micki Free is Making a Scene

March 10, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Micki Free!

GRAMMY®-award-winning musician Micki Free is a multi-talented guitarist, songwriter, performer, and producer with a career that spans decades and includes collaborations with some of the most legendary figures in music. Born of mixed Cherokee/Comanche Native American and Irish descent, Micki’s unique cultural heritage has deeply influenced his sound and artistic journey.

Micki’s musical career took off early when he was signed to management deals with Gene Simmons of KISS and Diana Ross. He quickly made his mark as a member of the iconic R&B group Shalamar, where he formed a lasting friendship with the legendary Prince.

Free’s manner of dress and appearance during the early 1980’s was parodied in the Dave Chappelle Show sketch Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories: “Prince—Uncensored” (February 18, 2004), and retells a story about an infamous basketball game “The Shirts Against The Blouses.”.

In Micki’s solo career, he has performed and recorded with a diverse array of artists, including Carlos Santana, Janet Jackson, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Little Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Cheap Trick, Jean Beauvoir, Aerosmith, Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, KISS, Billy Ray Cyrus, and many more. He is not only a gifted guitarist but also a master of the Native American flute, with five albums dedicated to the instrument.

Micki has performed at renowned festivals and venues around the world, from intimate blues clubs to the massive “Hard Rock Calling” festival in Hyde Park, London—where he performed to an audience of over 100,000 fans. In 2023, Micki performed at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as an official envoy for the World Culture Festival, where he led a 1,000+ guitar ensemble, debuting the single “We Are One” – a song he wrote, produced, and arranged specifically for the event.

As an advocate for both the Native American community as well as the arts community, Micki and his wife Heather founded “The Musical Beginning Foundation,” a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering underrepresented youth through the gift of music and helping people to achieve their creative dreams.

Micki Free’s work blends blues, rock, and Native American sounds into a powerful, distinctive voice. His work in the studio, on stage, and beyond reinforces a commitment to uplift and amplify Native voices in the industry. His ongoing legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and fans alike.

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