Today we’d like to introduce you to Mickey Cantrell
Mickey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Mickey Cantrell. I am the drummer for Jerry Grant and the Corruptors. I was born in Atlanta in Buckhead in 1944. I started playing drums when I was twelve years old. When I was twenty years old, I started playing professionally in Atlanta; in the late sixties, music was everywhere, and you could make a good living playing at the many great places like the Sans Souci, Richard’s, the Domino Lounge, Pig Alley, and Zebra Lounge. I was playing jazz then. In those days, you had to be in the Musician’s Union to play in Atlanta. Being in the Union allowed me to get a job touring with Ronnie Milsap when he was playing rock’n’roll and Motown, before he went into Country. His brother-in-law played guitar for him until he got drafted to Vietnam, which ended my time with Ronnie. Back in Atlanta again, I started playing different kinds of music, getting interested in Rock after seeing Jimi Hendrix at the old Municipal Auditorium. Then, the original Underground Atlanta opened up. Music was everywhere! There were so many places to play there like the Front Page, the Pump House, Scarlett O’Hara’s, and Sgt. Pepper’s.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The challenges were many, and the lessons I learned came hard. In 1979, I decided to do something I’d always dreamed of doing. I arrived at Venice Beach, which was incredible. In those days, it was mostly artists, actors, and musicians, with bands playing everywhere on the flat-top roofs that were characteristic of Venice. After several years there, I moved to Hollywood, living in an old bread truck behind a grocery store. I was hungry and broke. I talked my way into a place called Filthy McNasty’s, and suddenly, after I got the chance to sit-in with a band there, I was working. I got a chance to play at the Troubadour, Whiskey A Go Go, the Rainbow Room; it was an amazing experience being there. I saw things I only dreamed about seeing, like Van Halen in the early days and playing with a band called Monolith. Another band, Illuminati, beckoned me to San Francisco in the eighties, where I stayed for several years before returning to Atlanta. I wanted to come back home and see my kids and the family that I loved. I took some time off from playing and worked at an oil company. I was miserable. After seven years, I decided to play again. I HAD to! I went to Florida, spending a successful five years with a corporate band called SouthShore Cruisers.
When that was over, I returned to Atlanta, yet again, and was fortunate to audition for Jerry Grant and the Corruptors. It was an instant match with this band! I had found a home again.
Pursuing music hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had to rebuild several times and roll with the changes, sometimes starting from scratch. It may not have been easy, but it has always been worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of getting to do what I love for so many years and the friendships and musical relationships I’ve made along the way. I’ve met tons of beautiful people throughout my career and have made lifelong friends, who I cherish.
I’m proud of the music I make with my band, Jerry Grant and the Corruptors, which you can check out on all streaming platforms.
I specialize in being able to play many different varieties of music due to my years of experience and learning the hard way.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I’m happy because I am still playing the drums and fortunate enough to make music I’m proud of at my age. I’m still living my lifelong dream, and that fulfills me. I’m also happy to be able to share this music with others, and I’m grateful for all of the wonderful people I have met through music. One thing I’ve learned is to never give up on your dreams and passions, and I’m blessed to have followed that path. I’m still kicking, and life is good!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jerrygrantandthecorruptors.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickey.cantrell.1
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/1AGGGz_cmaE?si=aA8MR4jQSvP2eRvZ
