A ‘very official’ map of Breakfastland by Kat Mathews adorns the cover of Mike Midlio’s 2010 album.

Mike Midlo once had a band called “Pancake Breakfast” and has more than one notebook filled with his ideas for a full-blown “Trucker’s Opera.” Last night we heard three of the songs from that opera (or, more correctly, “potential opera”) and there was quite a bit of pressure put upon Mike to give up his day job and finish it up!

I doubt that that will happen anytime soon. “I really like what I’m doing now,” he told me. “And I like just playin’ music on the back porch for the dog.”

Sydney, Introducing Bob

What he is doing now is living in Enterprise, Oregon with his wife (and dog) and working for Fishtrap as its Interim Director. But, as Bob Pyle pointed out, it’s been so long that the ‘Interim’ part is no longer viable and should be dropped by now. (Bob is the one who won this House Concert at a fund-raising auction and gifted it to us to host for our friends! Fabulous!)

Bob Introducing Mike

And where is Enterprise? “Tucked up to the Wallowa Mountains in the northeast corner of Oregon,” said Bob.

And what in the world is Fishtrap?  “Just say it’s a summer camp for writers,” said Mike.  But, of course, it is way more than that.  According to their website at www.fishtrap.org. Fishtrap is about ‘Writing and the West.’  We offer readings, workshops, classes, conferences, Fellowships, and writing residencies.  Fishtrap is a great place to connect with writers, readers, and people who are passionate about the West.”

Mike Midlo

Our ‘house concert’ was “way more” than usual, too. Both Bob Pyle and Florence Sage read from their recent books before Mike and his guitar took center stage – lots of humor, and provocative thoughts and oh! the words, the words! I don’t know about the other listeners, but it seemed to me that we were in a totally rarefied atmosphere… And then came Mike! Irreverent, crazy, funny, unexpected! Equally rarefied!

I think every one of us clamored for the completion of that Trucker’s Opera. Meanwhile, though, Mike assured us that his songs are “all over the place and for free” – on YouTube, Pandora, and other sites I (being old) am not familiar with. Look him up! You won’t be sorry.