If you ask Mike Chute (Smokehouse drummer) what got him into music, he’ll proudly tell you he was born into a family of musicians and performers. His grandfather immigrated from Vermont and on the weekends would clear the living room, grab his fiddle and invite the neighbors over for a “barn dance”. Mike’s Uncle (Ted Barton) was a well known upright bassist. Mike’s oldest cousins were always performing country or country-rock in local clubs. His oldest brother filled the house with the great sounds of Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry while his second brother with the sounds of Del Shannon and Dion. On Sundays, the rule was that the radio belonged to Dad and Mom and a mix of swing, polka or Irish folk music would permeate the Chute home.
Add to this the fact that a younger brother, who along with singing, entered into theater and radio. To add to the Chute clan of varied musicians and performers, Mike’s daughter Lindsey continued the music and theater path and is now a teacher in the Drama Dept of a CT High School. She has enticed Mike to play in the “pit band” and build stage sets., which he does as he watches his daughter with much pride in his eyes. So, it has been a lifestyle and passion while growing up in a very musical family.
What finally drove Mike onto the music scene and pushed that desire to perform and strive for perfection you ask??? He answers this with two infamous words “THE BEATLES”. The energy and fun those guys were having was a huge influence on his life.
So what does Mike do besides play an awesome tune on his drums??? In his own words and a big grin he will proudly tell you “I watch the dance floor to make sure anybody dancing is locked into the pulse of the song, whether it be to a Smokehouse original, a fast song or even a tender ballad. I also keep my ears on the stage and while I set the beat, I play within the grooves the other members are creating. When it all comes together….the beat, the pulse, the groove, the dynamics of the song, the story and the audience (whether dancing or tapping their tables) you reach a different dimension. That is the buzz we like to create. Though we strive for it to happen on every song, it doesn’t but that is what we try to achieve. “
So, the next time you go to hear SMOKEHOUSE, watch the body language and you’ll feel the spirit of the music. Also listen for Mike’s infamous one-liners, his hootin & a hollering from behind the drums and his great voice when he sings a tune.
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