"I know that he and I never really had a chance to get to know each other well, but I've been thinking about the first time we met. It was in 2005, at Cornerstone Florida. Man, I felt like a fish out of water. I remember we played our set in this big (mostly empty) airplane hangar of a room, and I was really discouraged because I didn't feel like the music was well-received AT ALL (ha) and I knew I was losing money I didn't have to begin with just for the privilege of being there. I'm standing at the merch booth and along comes Mike! His words of encouragement really changed my heart that day. I'm thankful for every opportunity I had to stand at a merch booth and talk to that dude.. I wish we could do it again. My heart really broke all over again while I was working on the song.. I just couldn't help but think about his wife and kids, and all the people that were so deeply hurt by this sudden tragedy.. BUT.. ultimately, those feelings of sadness were trumped by the actual WORDS I was standing there singing.. and the fact that he knew exactly where he'd be when he left this world. I had to offer up a praise for that."
-John Davis
"It was such an honor to know Mike. His music has had such a profound impact on me as a musician but more importantly as a person. He seemed to grasp a reality that not many can put a rhythm to. Honest and straight forward. I am very proud to be a part of this tribute to such an amazing musician and friend."
-Ryan Fletcher
"I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this album project. The song-writing of Mike McCombs is extremely imaginative and timeless."
-Joe Dunlap
"There's either not a lot to say, or way too much to say about Mike. He was and will always be, to me, the kind of guy that you wish you could be like. He knew what he wanted. He knew who he was. He knew who he was in the Lord. And that's way more than what a lot of people can say for themselves. On top of that, he wrote music and songs that helped tell you who he was, what he wanted, and who he was in the Lord. He was a great man, father, and friend. I can't thank him enough for what his inspiration has done for me. For this song, it evokes in me how I feel in day to day life, suffering from depression, and having a lack of happiness and always feeling a loss of control. But also getting the courage to fight back against that, and finding that control. The way I wanted to do this song was to convey my heart and my feelings I get when I hear Mike's version of this song. It's a beautiful departure, I feel, and Melissa was just a natural fit for this song, because of our musical history together and her tragedies she has been through in her personal life as well. We both had a great time recording this track, and learned a lot about ourselves in the process. I feel honored for being a part of this and to tell my own thoughts on a great song written by a great man."
-Jeremy Taylor
"Unfortunately, I never had the honor of meeting Mike. Though I never met him I believe he was an incredible husband,father,friend,musician, and son of God. His legacy still lives on through the many people who love him and his wonderful music. Recording this song was such an amazing learning experience for me. This is actually the first song I have ever recorded! Talk about..Nervous!! I am just so thankful that Jeremy thought of me for this song. We had previously been in a praise band together, so it was nice to collaborate again. I felt such a connection to this project, considering I had recently lost my own husband. The lyrics of this song are absolutely inspiring and true. Sometimes it seems like your are loosing the battle within, but you have to dig deep and remember God is in control. I truly feel honored to be a part of such a beautiful tribute"
-Melissa Podstawka
"There are certain milestones in life that define who you are as a person. My life before I found God and my life since. My life before I met my wife and my life since. I can easily say that I can also be defined by my life before I met Mike and my life since.” His friendship has shaped who I am in more ways than he would have ever known. His music has impacted me in a way that I wish everyone could at least experience on some level. For that reason, this project is one of the most important things I have ever had the privilege to be a part of."
-Will Stout
"Mike was one of the kindest and most sincere people that I have ever known. I met him through our mutual friend Paul Sikes, singer/ songwriter for The High Fevers. Mike always left an impression on me that 'this is a guy I want to be around.' He eventually joined my band The Nine Volts, and some of my favorite live performance and practice memories are centered around Mike. The man could do anything musically and was just an absolute joy to be around. When I heard of Mike's passing, I spent the night listening to his songs and just crying my eyes out. Mike was a true and balanced friend, one that I could count on regardless of the situation. His friendship has left a mark with me that is beyond words and too much to concise into this account, but it has been indelible. When, his wife, Jenn approached me about covering one of Mike's songs for a tribute album, I said yes immediately. There was no doubt in my mind that I had to do this. The process was very healing for me on many levels. I felt like I was literally hanging out with Mike. We were interacting again. While recording the song, I would actually ask Mike out loud, 'What would you like me to do here?' and 'What should we add, buddy?'
I love Mike McCombs, his wife, and children, and this was an opportunity to play music with him once again. It meant the world to me. I hope I have done your song justice, Mike."
-DC Wilson / The Nine Volts
"Mike was one of the kindest and most sincere people that I have ever known. I met him through our mutual friend Paul Sikes, singer/ songwriter for The High Fevers. Mike always left an impression on me that 'this is a guy I want to be around.' He eventually joined my band The Nine Volts, and some of my favorite live performance and practice memories are centered around Mike. The man could do anything musically and was just an absolute joy to be around. When I heard of Mike's passing, I spent the night listening to his songs and just crying my eyes out. Mike was a true and balanced friend, one that I could count on regardless of the situation. His friendship has left a mark with me that is beyond words and too much to concise into this account, but it has been indelible. When, his wife, Jenn approached me about covering one of Mike's songs for a tribute album, I said yes immediately. There was no doubt in my mind that I had to do this. The process was very healing for me on many levels. I felt like I was literally hanging out with Mike. We were interacting again. While recording the song, I would actually ask Mike out loud, 'What would you like me to do here?' and 'What should we add, buddy?'
I love Mike McCombs, his wife, and children, and this was an opportunity to play music with him once again. It meant the world to me. I hope I have done your song justice, Mike."
-DC Wilson / The Nine Volts
"In all honesty, it is very difficult to even know where to begin in terms of describing our feelings about being a part of this project. When the opportunity was presented to us, our first response was one of concern that we might not be able to do Mike's music justice. Although we agreed with Will that "Out of the Dark" seemed perfectly suited for our style, there was also a measure of apprehension that we wouldn't be able to recreate the same melancholy feel that made this track really stand out to us. Mike was a master of creating songs that fit his mood and immediately drew in his listeners. "Out of the Dark" has this amazingly eery, yet calm vibe, that, to be frank, is not really something that we typically project. While we wanted to help in anyway possible with getting Mike's music heard by a broader audience, we also wanted to do so in a way that would truly honor his life, his work, and his family. Its hard to pay tribute to a fellow musician and friend if you can't sing like they could sing, or play like they could play. But in many ways, this process has been cathartic for us all. Since Mike's passing we have all had days when we listen to a Goodnight Moon album, see a photograph of him online, or come across his phone number still in the contacts of our phone, and think about how much we miss him. Though we were not as fortunate as some others who had the opportunity to know Mike for a longer period of time, I struggle to think of any other person that could relate as easily to a complete stranger as he could. We will never forget Mike's conversations with us after shows, or the disarming smirk he had when he thought something was funny. We will most certainly never forget that Mike was one of the first people to reach out to us in times of hardship or trouble. There are still many days when he passes into our thoughts and we can still hear his voice. For all of these reasons we had to be a part of this work and overcome our own inhibitions in regard to trying to properly "recreate" his art. Now that it is finished, I have no doubt that Mike would be pleased. Simply put, "Out of the Dark" is such a great song, it would be nearly impossible to really screw it up....even for us. So....here you go Mike. Thanks for leaving this song with us. See you soon."
-The Hotshot Freight Train