The World’s Grievance Man- Mike Stout is a socially conscious singer song-writer and community leader. He leads crusades against economic injustice, rallying people with his music. His sound and lyrics are influenced by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, & Springsteen.
John Hayes of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote "In the Woody Guthrie tradition, his songs reflect contemporary issues without resorting to journalism. They're more like partisan op-ed columns that grab political opponents by the throat and don't let go.”
Scott Mervis, of the Pittsburgh Gazette, wrote “There are a lot of guys out there who pass themselves off as blue-collar rockers, but Mike Stout is unquestionably the real thing” Born in Kentucky, Stout moved to NYC in 1986 and played his original protest songs at Café Wa, the Bitter End, & the Gaslight. He moved to Pittsburgh in 77 and became a steelworker at Homestead Steel. Elected the union’s head grievance man, he used his guitar to rally workers. He fought to win $10 million in lost wages and unemployment benefits for 3,000 displaced workers. When the steel mills closed Mike organized a benefit concert drawing international attention to the plight of the unemployed. Foreclosures were slowed and benefits were extended. Mike became a board member of Just Harvest and the Steel Valley Authority, organizations that aid the poor.
After the Homestead Works closed in 87, Mike opened the employee-owned Steel Valley Printers. He began his recording career, working producer Fred Nelson, and has released 12 CDs. His music ranges from fiddle infused Americana, Folk, and Rock. Mike has performed at concert halls, clubs, picket lines, conventions, protest rallies, and schools across the U.S. & Europe. He has performed for thousands at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and the Whitsun Youth Festival. He has sold thousands of CDs in Germany. With every CD and performance Mike sings his message of aksing us to join in human solidarity to overcome injustices.
