Mike Harding is an English singer, songwriter, poet, broadcaster, multi-instrumentalist and comedian for hire through the Champions Music and Entertainment. Otherwise known as: ‘The Rochdale Cowboy'. Harding is a talented entertainer perfect for private and corporate functions.
Harding began performing as a folk singer in the 1960s for a range of Manchester bands. Between songs he would tell jokes, eventually extending the format into longer stand-up pieces. His humorous musings soon became the focus of the act, inspiring him to combine music and comedy into a unique act. He released his debut album, A Lancashire Lad in 1972 followed by his sophomore album Mrs ‘Adkin's Kid in 1974.
While these two albums had popular local followings, it was his 1975 single, ‘The Rochdale Cowboy’, which brought him national acclaim. His music career also saw him write scores for Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, The Reluctant Dragon, and The Fool of the World and The Flying Ship.
Harding is an accomplished musician with a wide retinue of instruments to his name including the piano, guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, concertina, hammer dulcimer, harmonica, cittern, autoharp and tin whistle.
As a stand-up act, he performed several series for the BBC as well as appearing as a guest on national radio and television.
Apart from his success in these art forms, Harding is also an accomplished writer specialising in British folklore and history. His popular titles include The Little Book of Stained Glass, The Little Book of the Green Man, The Little Book of Misericords, and The Little Book of Gargoyles. He has even released an autobiography that is loosely factual entitled You Can See the Angel’s Bum, Miss Worswick!
Harding has even experimented with fiction, writing The Armchair Anarchist’s Almanac and two joke book collections entitled The 14 and a half Pound Budgie and The Unluckiest Man in the World.
All of this has culminated in Harding becoming a folk icon. He presented BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show from 1997 to 2012 and was honoured to be the host of the leading roots and folklore programme, The Mike Harding Show.
A cultural phenomenon, Mike Harding blends humour, music, and knowledge into an incredibly entertaining persona. Ideal as private or corporate entertainment, he is a must for any event. Book now to avoid disappointment.
