Mike Mann & the Night Riders: Our Mission, Our Bios, Our History

**Still in Progress**

NightRider Happenings

Black Country Music Artists

Booking Info

Some of Our Gigs

Nubian BootScooters

Our Music In Review

Mike Mann and the NightRiders at Polywog Park Summer Music Series, Manhattan Beach, CA.

Black Cowboys played an incredible role in the "Real West". Riding the range and driving cattle to market was not easy work, nor anywhere as romantic or popular as pictured in movies and on television. In fact, it was low paying, highly dangerous, lonely work that was, "not fit for upper classes of American society." Mike Mann and the NightRiders honor the men who lived these hard lives but were for the most part forgotten as the cowboy myth developed and the times on the range were left behind.

Sure, most of us are familiar with such soul classics as "Cowboys to Girls" by The Intruders, "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" by The Deele and even rapper Kool Moe Dee had a hit with his "Wild Wild West." Yet none of these acts pretended to be the real thing. Meeting up with Mike and the NightRiders at a recent event, one got the feeling that they represent more than just a Country Western band. They are continuing a tradition that many of us have forgotten. Mann's songs seem to have a profound effect on the enthusiastic, mostly White crowds that come to see them, many of whom never thought they would ever see anyone Black, except Charlie Pride sing cowboy music. "I love your music!" "You guys sound great!" "Do you have a CD out?" And "Good show cowboy," were comments that greeted the band from the (new) fans that surrounded them after the show. But what really warmed Mike's heart was a whisper from one of the few Black children in attendance, "I didn't know there were Black cowboys!"

"That's Why I do it," says Mike, "That's why I try so hard to reach Black folks, especially the kids. I want people to feel the emotion in the songs. I want them to like the stories. But most of all, I want them to remember that we as a people, were in the Old West! We kicked a lot of tail! And without the Black cowboy, the American West wouldn't have been tamed and made more civilized as soon as it was. Black cowboys helped build the West! Some of the legends told in western history are based on African Americans' contributions."

Mike Mann-Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica: Born and raised in Clinton, Iowa on the Mississippi River, Mike (Miguel Hombre) Mann never put much thought to why all of the cowboys in the movies and television were White. He didn't play much cowboy and Indians, but he loved playing the harmonica and guitar. After years of traveling around the country as a radio announcer, he got more in touch with his cowboy roots. After hearing a lecture years ago by author William Katz and reading his book, The Black West, Mike formed his group "The NightRiders" when a friend offered a chance to perform a Country Western scene in a local community theatrical production. More than five years later, the original trio has expanded to seven members. Today, as a successful L.A. based radio and commercial jingle producer who is also the voice of many national products as well, Mike continues to explore his love for Black Cowboy music.

His wife is one of his strongest supporters and even his seven year old son Dillon Jefferies "D.J" Mann (named in part after the first Black singing movie cowboy Herb Jeffries) plays guitar with the band on occasions and stops the show. So how did he find guys who even knew how to play that cowboy stuff? "I just looked for guys who loved a song with a heart...because I knew I couldn't find enough guys who had ridden a horse before," laughs Mann.

Now, Meet The NightRiders:

'TCoop' Ted Cooper-Lead & Background Vocals:
Ted's vocal abilities were a gift to him from generations of electrifying singers. Ted's Aunt, a music major and voice instructor, personally 'groomed' Ted in the 'art of music'. Born in Detroit and influenced by the Motown sound, Ted's musical career began early playing trumpet and French horn. Ted's activities in his school and church choirs helped him perfect his many vocal ranges and styles. As a lead singer, Ted has excited countless crowds with such groups as: "The Majestees", "Luv's Expression", and "Family of Faith". Ted has performed for the Governor of California, the Ambassador to South Africa, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Allensworth State Historic Park, the NAACP Saturday School, the Christian Entertainer's Fellowship, and McDonald's Gospelfest to name a few.

Mark "Markie D" Drummond-Lead Guitar, Background Vocals: Mark's career has taken him from his home town of Greenwood, Mississippi, to Lagos, Nigeria to the crowded radio air waves of Los Angeles. Mark is a very successful radio and jingle producer. But as a performer, Mark has opened for such notable artists as The Chi- Lites, Alexander O'Neill, and has provided creative expertise and guitar support for a myriad of R&B/Blues projects and acts.

Duwayne "D.L." Laskey- Keyboards: D.L grew up in Los Angeles and (as a performer) is the most active of the NightRiders on the local music scene. Duwayne devotes much of his time to his duties as Musical Director for his church's choir and band. Duwayne also performs regularly with Blues bands and Reggae artists as well.

Tracy Hill-Drums, Percussion: Tracy is from Seattle and started playing drums in the second grade. Music has taken him to many parts of the world including, Japan, Europe and Mexico. Having played everything from symphonic music to rhythm and blues, he has appeared on shows with such prominent acts as, J. T. Taylor of Kool and the Gang, The Commodores, Chris Isaak, and Manhattan Transfer.

Keith (Beefy Keef) Washington - Bass and Background Vocals: Better known as Trail Boss, Beefy was born in Los Angeles but studied bass in New York under renowned Jazz Bassist Peck Morrison. Beefy returned to LA to study composition and electronic music, then went on to produce commercial and jingle production for Black Radio clients in the Los Angeles area. That's where Beefy met Mike Mann and Mark Drummond, and as Mike likes to say, "the rest is history pardner."

With the release of their nine song debut album "Cowboy Soul," the band hopes to attract an even larger audience. "There are so many events that I want the band to play at (most of them being White Western Affairs)", says Mann. But I like that because I want them to remember us too! Hell, they wouldn't have found a way through the Rocky Mountains if it wasn't for one of us! And believe me, there many more Black Western social and dance groups than you can count around the country. I am so proud of these folks, because they have a good time doing what is real to them...That's why I like being a Black singing cowboy...It's very real to me." - MJP