Bio · Michael Rix
An asthmatic
learning to breathe.
American banjo country artist. Songwriter. Author. Actor. Cult survivor. He has become well known in Nashville music circles since arriving a little over ten years ago — bringing the banjo out of the shadows and into center stage.
In his words
“I knew I was different when I arrived in town. No one else playing the local bars and songwriter rounds looked or sounded like me. Banjo players are hard to come by — and typically aren't the lead instrument.”
Lots of prayer and gut instinct told him he was home; and that it was time to bring the banjo out of the shadows to center stage.
Spend five minutes with Michael Rix and two things become clear: he is no stranger to hardship and hard work, and he is the most unique banjo player in country music today. Many words describe him. Take your pick. Country songwriter. Gifted vocalist. Multi-instrumentalist. Cult survivor. Actor. Author. Banjo enthusiast. Mentor. Proud American.
In 1990 a teenaged Michael Rix watched in silent horror as his baby brother was allowed to die by cult-member parents who believed modern medicine was of the devil. His life had become increasingly bizarre since his parents withdrew from society and carried their children with them.
In addition to eschewing all modern conveniences, Michael and his siblings performed manual labor around their secluded farm. Prayer was the only medication allowed, and Michael struggled to breathe daily due to having a severe case of asthma.
Realizing he could suffer a similar fate to his baby brother, he mustered up the courage to tell his father he would leave one day and never return. When that day finally came, he stepped out on faith into a life of freedom — and never looked back.
Today, his banjo and his pen do the talking. Whether on the stage of the Basement East, in the marbled hall of FAME Studios beside The War And Treaty, or in the pages of his memoir, From Cult to Country: An Asthmatic's Journey to Find More Air, Michael is making up for every breath he was once denied.
A timeline
The road, in chapters.
- 1990
A silent farm
A teenaged Michael watches his baby brother die because cult-member parents refused modern medicine. He vows to leave one day.
- 1996
Stepping out on faith
He walks away from the only world he’s known and never looks back.
- 2008
First banjo
A pawn-shop five-string changes everything. He starts writing songs in earnest.
- 2014
Nashville bound
Moves to Music City and immediately stands out — a Black banjo player out front in a town of guitar singers.
- 2019
Ken Burns & PBS
Featured in Bank of America’s national marketing campaign for the Country Music documentary series.
- 2022
Pilgrim Road
Releases his debut full-length album to critical acclaim across Americana radio.
- 2024
From Cult to Country
Publishes his memoir. Collaborates with The War And Treaty on banjo at FAME Studios.