“Classically Trained, Comically Derailed” is an energetic, hilarious, musical odyssey of guitar creations, parodies, mashups, and originals unlike anything you’ve seen before. Imagine Eddie Van Halen, Weird Al and Jerry Seinfeld taking the stage together (after too much coffee)… that’s Mike Rayburn. Rayburn is a world class guitarist and comedian, having headlined Carnegie Hall multiple times as well as headlining his own show on the Las Vegas Strip at Planet Hollywood.
On guitar Rayburn features classical, rock, “tapping,” jazz, finger-style, country and other guitar styles with equal skill and alacrity.
His instrumental versions of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” are just a couple of his masterful adaptations.
The heart of “Classically Trained, Comically Derailed” is Rayburn’s fun, hilarious parodies; human mashups and original comedy songs. His Taylor Swift parody of “You Belong With Me,” called “A Nerd Like Me” has gone viral on YouTube. His crazy mashup, “Top 8 of the 80’s” is an unparalleled creation, where Rayburn performs the top eight songs of the 1980’s all to the tune of “Every Breath You Take.” Combine that with country versions of artists God never intended to be country – Beyonce’, Flo Rida, and Queen to name a few – and you have one of the most entertaining, clean, musically amazing shows you’ll experience anywhere!
-Rayburn
Mike Rayburn has been playing guitar since he was ten, when for Christmas, instead of the CB radio he wanted, his father gave him an acoustic guitar… and changed his life forever!
As a guitar student at James Madison University Rayburn earned a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar and Music Business, and another in Classical Guitar Performance. Rayburn has a 13+ year endorsement with McPherson Guitars, a boutique brand widely considered one the greatest (and most expensive) acoustic guitars made.
In 2010 Rayburn traveled to San Cugat, Spain to study with Robert Fripp, who is on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the top 100 guitarists of all time. His studies since then have opened up to include the 18-string Harp Guitar and new “tap” styles of performance.
On stage Rayburn plays either his McPherson Sable, a carbon fiber acoustic, or his McPherson Camrielle, custom made and engraved to honor his best friend, Toby, mentioned here “The Man”.
Get a FREE download of Rayburn’s guitar version of Bohemian Rhapsody! Plus, get your weekly mindset advantage through his “The What IF Weekly” publication.
