Mike Elliott (2)

American jazz and country guitarist, songwriter and session musician. Born May 18, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois. Died September 14, 2005 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Elliott was raised in Colorado, and became a Minnesotan in 1965. He was soon an important part of the jazz scene in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In 1972 he founded the group Natural Life and started the music room at the Longhorn Bar in Minneapolis which programmed international jazz artists for several years before becoming a rock club. Elliott moved to Nashville in 1986 and became manager of Gibson Professional Musical Services. He teamed up with songwriter musician Jim Pasquale to form Magic Tracks Recording Studio. He remained in Nashville until 1998. Elliott worked with Johnny Cash, Mickey Newbury, Chubby Checker, Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, Joe Diffie, Earl Klugh, Vic Damone, Steve Earle, Crystal Gayle, and Tennessee Ernie Ford. He also co wrote a song that appeared on John Anderson's album Seminole Wind. In 1996 Elliott received the NAIRD award for his work as an engineer on Steve Earle's album "Train a Comin".