Mike can't get over this silly picture.

Michael Haworth began his square dancing adventures in 1984. He found himself singing along with the callers and quickly developed an interest that led him to a caller’s class. He began calling regularly in 1987 and enjoyed the counsel of several mentors over the years, including, Mike Sikorsky, Don Schadt, Michael Kellogg, Nate Bliss, Vic Kaaria, and Mike Duffy. During his calling tenure he became known for showcasing interesting choreography, and he developed a love for working with other callers.

By the turn of the new century, Michael had left square dancing and shifted focus to play the banjo and guitar in a progressive Bluegrass band called Gold Coast. The band played in various venues and festivals throughout Southern California, and it was honored to open for Nickel Creek in concert. The band was known for its classy Bluegrass interpretations of a versatile range of tunes chosen from multiple genres. Each performance highlighted tight vocals featuring intricate harmonies that Michael arranged.

Life beyond Gold Coast brought with it another shift in focus, where Michael concentrated on his engineering job and family. He still found time for a little formal study in jazz guitar, composing, and a variety of vocal pursuits. Recently, he found himself coming full circle and wandered back to square dancing and calling. Michael sees The Shakedown Band as the perfect fit for a guy with a love for calling, working with other callers, and making music. He is happy to be part of such an exciting venture.