Mike was born in rural, mountainous Hot Springs/Spring Creek, NC. With his home located near the Appalachian Trail, Mike fondly remembers boyhood days of working on the farm, swimming in the river and creeks, fishing, and hunting. More telling though for Mike's future music story, however, is how he began his inspiring education and journey into the world of music, which was introduced to him by his parents and family.
Mike's mother, Jan Ponder, and father, Wayne Ponder, were both talented musicians. They started a band called JL and the Country Squires, which become well-known for their hit song, "Living in the Present, Loving in the Past." Mike's parents sang lead vocals and back-up harmonies while touring with vocalist Lavonne English, and band members, Calvin Philbeck and Roger Sigmon. Mike recalls that when he was six, he was, "sitting on the stoop listening to them practice and getting into trouble noisily trying to imitate their playing.” The music switch had been turned on in Mike.
Mike first began playing the drums. Soon Calvin and Roger were teaching him his first bass and guitar chords while his parents trained him in the art of musical harmonies. Soon he was touring with the family band on weekends and after school, playing churches, festivals and doing opening shows for the likes of little Jimmie Dickens, The Kendalls, Kitty Wells and Archie Cambell. Mike felt a natural ability with his new comfortable role in the music and, more importantly, with the new connection playing with his family on the road.
Mike continued playing with JL and the Country Squires. When Mike turned 18, he joined the military. He had many great life changing experiences serving in the Marines, and after everal years, Mike switched over and became a Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. A DOC. Mike experienced a lot of war during this time and earned numerous awards to include 2 presidential awards and many Navy Achievement Medals and Marine Corps Commendation awards. Mike always kept music in his life and was able to play alongside some very talented service members. During his time in the Navy he had the pleasure of playing for the Naval Choir in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Soon Mike married and had 2 boys, Jeremiah and Jarrod Ponder while living in Beaufort, SC. During this time in 2001, he remembered his early beginnings fondly in the music "and thought perhaps one of his children might be the next little bit on the stoop." So began the inception and branding of his original band Steel Rail Express.
Mike actively pursued this quest while enlisted, trying to play music while still maintaining the role of Navy Corpsman and taking care of the Recruits at MCRD Parris Island. Mike enlisted help of many Beaufort local musicians for support. He explained, "It was always tugging at my heart to start the musical group Steel Rail Express." Its genre would include Classic Country, Top 40 Country, Beach and Funk, Motown, and even a little Allman Brothers. "Everything was always family friendly.”
Mike's mother, Jan Ponder, and father, Wayne Ponder, were both talented musicians. They started a band called JL and the Country Squires, which become well-known for their hit song, "Living in the Present, Loving in the Past." Mike's parents sang lead vocals and back-up harmonies while touring with vocalist Lavonne English, and band members, Calvin Philbeck and Roger Sigmon. Mike recalls that when he was six, he was, "sitting on the stoop listening to them practice and getting into trouble noisily trying to imitate their playing.” The music switch had been turned on in Mike.
Mike first began playing the drums. Soon Calvin and Roger were teaching him his first bass and guitar chords while his parents trained him in the art of musical harmonies. Soon he was touring with the family band on weekends and after school, playing churches, festivals and doing opening shows for the likes of little Jimmie Dickens, The Kendalls, Kitty Wells and Archie Cambell. Mike felt a natural ability with his new comfortable role in the music and, more importantly, with the new connection playing with his family on the road.
Mike continued playing with JL and the Country Squires. When Mike turned 18, he joined the military. He had many great life changing experiences serving in the Marines, and after everal years, Mike switched over and became a Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. A DOC. Mike experienced a lot of war during this time and earned numerous awards to include 2 presidential awards and many Navy Achievement Medals and Marine Corps Commendation awards. Mike always kept music in his life and was able to play alongside some very talented service members. During his time in the Navy he had the pleasure of playing for the Naval Choir in Great Lakes, Illinois.
Soon Mike married and had 2 boys, Jeremiah and Jarrod Ponder while living in Beaufort, SC. During this time in 2001, he remembered his early beginnings fondly in the music "and thought perhaps one of his children might be the next little bit on the stoop." So began the inception and branding of his original band Steel Rail Express.
Mike actively pursued this quest while enlisted, trying to play music while still maintaining the role of Navy Corpsman and taking care of the Recruits at MCRD Parris Island. Mike enlisted help of many Beaufort local musicians for support. He explained, "It was always tugging at my heart to start the musical group Steel Rail Express." Its genre would include Classic Country, Top 40 Country, Beach and Funk, Motown, and even a little Allman Brothers. "Everything was always family friendly.”