Mike Pugh
Mike Pugh began his musical career at the age of 5, when he intentionally annoyed his older sister by repeating her piano lessons by ear whenever she finished practicing. He was hooked.
His parents bought him a guitar for his 13th birthday, which was quickly followed by years of rock and roll bands, and formal instruction in high school and college jazz bands. At Baker University, Mike had the opportunity to study arranging music for ensembles, and learned to listen for each musician's voice. Music and recording became an avocation as Mike's telecommunications career moved him around the US and UK, finally landing in Loudoun County, where he founded the Classic Rock Band "Standing Room Only", directed the "No Name Band" for Arcola Church from 1999 to 2010. Mike went on to found Goose Creek Music and Entertainment as a platform to produce CDs, videos, and a local TV show featuring nationally touring Americana bands.
Mike rejoined Arcola Church’s music program in 2018 as an acoustic guitarist and arranger in Joyful Noise, and began working with the Youth Band as “guitar coach” in 2020. Mike’s greatest joy is helping people create the music they hear between their ears and feel in their hearts, and he feels blessed for the opportunity Arcola offers to pursue his passion.