Mike Caranda

American songwriter, pianist, arranger, and bandleader. Born in Alliance, Ohio May 6, 1918 Died on September 19, 2010 (age of 92). For 19 years the music director, arranger and pianist for the Russ Carlyle Show and often wrote with singer/bandleader Russ Carlyle and songwriter Ivan Washabaugh. He was a professional musician for over 70 years. After he "retired" in 1969 to El Paso, Texas, he began his own 12-piece big band dance band that toured the area for more than a dozen years and was quite popular. Mike retired from leading the band in 2007 but continued playing and arranging for the band until July of 2010 when he retired completely. Carbaugh was the music publisher used when any of the three songwriters worked together--associated with publishing companies: Carbaugh, Carbaugh Pub., and Carbaugh Music Co..