Mitch Rolling is a professional musician who plays live music in Gulfport, Florida. He is also a song writer who has recorded and released five independent albums of original music. Mitch is a natural entertainer. He prides himself on his ability to work in a variety of settings and enjoys audience interaction. He uses his strengths to help everyone have a good time…including himself!
Mitch moved from Iowa to the islands when he was only eighteen. There began his “Island Boy” adventures on Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mitch first arrived on Grand Turk way back in 1980. Once there he met a host of island characters, and characters they were! Being a bit of a character himself, Mitch seemed to fit in quite well. Perhaps music is the true international language! His plan was to stay for only a year, but he wound up living on Grand Turk for nearly four decades.
Now Mitch is again starting a new adventure. He has returned from the islands back to the mainland (specifically Gulfport, Florida). Mitch is looking forward to playing music, entertaining audiences, and learning about life in the big city!
Florida
After thirty-eight years of living full time on Grand Turk, Mitch has decided to relocate to the States. There he continues to write new songs and pursue his dream of becoming a rock star by playing live music in Gulfport, Florida! Mitch is currently working solo as a songwriter, singer and guitar player. As a professional Gulfport musician, he is available for live gigs at public venues, house concerts and special events. Mitch enjoys audience participation and interaction. He entertains by playing music and singing songs, as well as cracking a few jokes and maybe telling a story. Book Mitch now!
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
Mitch got his first gig on Grand Turk the very first night of his arrival, at the bar of the hotel where he was staying. Two weeks later he met and joined the Sky Lake Band. This band played reggae and calypso music. While the culture and music were very different from Mitch’s midwest and classic rock background, he took to it enthusiastically. It took him a long time to really get the groove but get it he did.
After a couple of years on Grand Turk, Mitch also became a scuba diving instructor with a new business called Blue Water Divers. Mitch would take divers out diving during the day, and then sing and play for them in the evenings. Music and diving kept him very busy, and he enjoyed meeting people from all over the world.
As the years kept rolling by (pun intended), Mitch continued to play with a number of local bands. He was also playing three nights a week at hotels and bars. Eventually Mitch established his own recording studio on the island. There he recorded his own music and worked with other local musicians.
Mitch’s original plan of living on a tropical island for one year turned into nearly four decades of adventures on Grand Turk. Following his dream of living on an island has been quite an adventure! He now looks forward to new adventures living on the mainland in a “big city”!
Iowa
Mitch grew up in Ames, Iowa. By the time he was in Junior High School, he was playing in a classic rock band. The band continued to play all through high school and was even booked by a professional agent.
Mitch also worked for a year at the Medial Arts Workshop (MAW). This was a facility that worked with young people to provide a constructive leisure environment. Counseling for teenagers and music lessons were offered free of charge. The facility included a recording studio where he worked with students to help create and record songs. The MAW earned a very positive reputation and was recognized nationally when First Lady Nancy Reagan came to tour the facility in Ames.
Mitch graduated from Ames High School and followed his dream: to live in “the islands.” He packed his guitar and moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands. There, his plan was to write songs and develop his musical skills before returning to the States in pursuit of his ultimate goal of becoming a rock star!