Regarding the new label affiliation Farris said, “I am genuinely excited to partner with Compass on this new record. They have a unique independent spirit that meshes perfectly with where I am musically as well as a solid history and breadth of musical diversity which I find so appealing.” Label co-founder Garry West commented, "We are thrilled to be working with Mike Farris in bringing his new music to the world. He's a hard worker, a survivor, and one of the best singers I've ever heard. Artists like Mike are why we do what we do."
Mike Farris began his solo career in the in the early 2000's intertwining rock, blues and gospel in a way that allowed him to rediscover and reinterpret traditional black spiritual music by adding his own mix of vintage southern soul. In 2008, Farris won the prestigious Americana Music Award for Best New & Emerging Artist and later a Dove Award in 2010 for Best Traditional Gospel album of the year with SHOUT! Live. He has appeared at multiple festivals including Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Telluride, Strawberry Festival, ACL Festival & Bonnaroo electrifying audiences with the impact of his live performances with his 9 piece band, the Roseland Rhythm Revue.
In 2010, Mike was joined by some of Nashville's finest musicians including Ketch Secor & Gill Landry from Old Crow Medicine Show, Sam Bush, Kenny Vaughan, Byron House and others to record an EP called The Night The Cumberland Came Alive to benefit victims of the Nashville flood. He has contributed vocals to Patty Griffin’s Grammy Award Winning Downtown Church project, as well as Rodney Crowell’s latest album, Tarpaper Sky. Additionally, Farris was invited to be a featured performer at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 16th Annual American Masters concert in 2011 honoring Aretha Franklin along with such acts as Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan, Cissy Houston, Ronald Isley, Dennis Edwards & Melinda Doolittle.
