Michael Downs began playing the bass guitar in junior high around 1972. Some of his early influences were Motown, Jimi Hendrix, Grand Funk, James Jamerson, Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Stanley Clarke and many others. Mike studied music at Los Angeles Valley College where he played jazz and swing in the Big Band and earned an AA degree in music. Mike has been performing live and recording in the studio ever since. Mike enjoys writing and producing alternative music. Mike has performed with Denise Williams, Freda Payne, Dave Mason, The Chi-Lites, Side-Effect and LTD to name a few.