Don Miggs
- Composer
- Producer
- Actor
In a modern world overcrowded with pretenders, wannabes, show-offs, and frauds, Don Miggs is the real deal. A renaissance man in every sense, Miggs has learned to succeed in multiple arenas by living his life and pursuing his passions the only way he knows how: full steam ahead, no matter how hard.
The California-based musician, songwriter, book author, radio host, music publisher, recording studio owner, film maverick, fashion brand spark plug, philanthropist, and family man has already packed enough into his time here for twenty lifetimes, with no slowing down in sight. The type of guy who knows everyone yet never waves that fact like a banner, his down-to-earth vibe and socially conscious, self-aware demeanor make him a powerful ally and an even better friend. Match those with his jack-of-all-trades talents, approachable yet respected influence, and charming sense of humor, and you've got a titan of industry on your hands-except you'll need to make that industries, plural.
"My dad always told me to dream big and not let fear stand in the way," Miggs says. "No idea was ever too far-fetched and because of that spirit I live like I do. I take big bites of life. I go to bed exhausted from the effort to squeeze as much joy and satisfaction I can from each day, but I'm always ready to do it again tomorrow. Time is ticking so let's get it all in."
With his band, the modern rock six-piece Whole Damn Mess, Miggs has toured with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists like ZZ Top and Cheap Trick, recorded with legends such as Mick Fleetwood and Tower of Power, and released a handful of acclaimed albums. The songwriting is dense and deep, tackling the relatable themes of love, marriage, family life, and staying connected to the moment even when your wildest dreams come true. Referring to his music as "adult punk rock" due to its infectious energy and ability to connect to fans both young and old, the new Whole Damn Mess album is mixed by rock stalwart and perennial Grammy-nominee Mark Needham and serves as a new high-water musical mark for Miggs and company.
"I've played music with people I used to study on album covers and I've toured rooms I only dreamed about," he says. "But I don't know many artists who can unequivocally state that they are making their best music this many years on. It may be 'critically satisfying' or 'mature' but I'm writing my best material now. I'm still shooting to be your new favorite artist-just older."
Miggs prides himself on being an ace husband and father, and when not working on music he prefers to be working in those capacities first and foremost. But his other passions never sleep, and so he makes time by any means necessary to pursue those other aforementioned endeavors, while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle of playing tennis, working out, traveling, and more. He has written the first volume of his "Know Best" book series called "Dads Know Best," hosts a weekly FM radio show discussing everything from big-picture ideas about life to relatable minutia, has scored a handful of film soundtracks (his latest with Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins), helps to run a music publishing company and three fashion brands...it's enough to make your head spin.
And yet, through it all, Miggs maintains an even keel and simply chalks it up to work ethic, passion, and fearlessness. Having learned from some of the era's brightest, boldest, and best, many of whom he considers firsthand friends and accomplices, Miggs belongs to a select group of rock star humanitarians-some of whom are actual rock stars, while others embody the descriptor in their respective field-who fight for causes and speak for justice both onstage and off. "I'm drawn to people who care enough to lay it on the line and who aren't afraid of their flaws," he says. "People like Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen, and Bono, who know the power of being generous of spirit and heart when chasing their muse or commanding a stage."
And yet, for a world-beating personality like Miggs who has been to the top of so many mountains and dined at the tables of so many elites, the man still maintains a humble profile. Viewing himself as more of a conduit for inspiration and energy than a role model, Miggs strives to live each day to its fullest and to never stop believing in his own abilities-to connect, to protect, and to prevail.
"I've always felt like I represent most people," he says. "For me, the American Dream is being able to do what you're passionate about to feed yourself and your family. And if you get, you give-it's that simple. If people follow me it's because they know I won't give up. I collect good people with solid intentions to join me. But I'm as hungry as anyone you've ever met and still believe today will be the day I paint my masterpiece. I'm just getting started."
The California-based musician, songwriter, book author, radio host, music publisher, recording studio owner, film maverick, fashion brand spark plug, philanthropist, and family man has already packed enough into his time here for twenty lifetimes, with no slowing down in sight. The type of guy who knows everyone yet never waves that fact like a banner, his down-to-earth vibe and socially conscious, self-aware demeanor make him a powerful ally and an even better friend. Match those with his jack-of-all-trades talents, approachable yet respected influence, and charming sense of humor, and you've got a titan of industry on your hands-except you'll need to make that industries, plural.
"My dad always told me to dream big and not let fear stand in the way," Miggs says. "No idea was ever too far-fetched and because of that spirit I live like I do. I take big bites of life. I go to bed exhausted from the effort to squeeze as much joy and satisfaction I can from each day, but I'm always ready to do it again tomorrow. Time is ticking so let's get it all in."
With his band, the modern rock six-piece Whole Damn Mess, Miggs has toured with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists like ZZ Top and Cheap Trick, recorded with legends such as Mick Fleetwood and Tower of Power, and released a handful of acclaimed albums. The songwriting is dense and deep, tackling the relatable themes of love, marriage, family life, and staying connected to the moment even when your wildest dreams come true. Referring to his music as "adult punk rock" due to its infectious energy and ability to connect to fans both young and old, the new Whole Damn Mess album is mixed by rock stalwart and perennial Grammy-nominee Mark Needham and serves as a new high-water musical mark for Miggs and company.
"I've played music with people I used to study on album covers and I've toured rooms I only dreamed about," he says. "But I don't know many artists who can unequivocally state that they are making their best music this many years on. It may be 'critically satisfying' or 'mature' but I'm writing my best material now. I'm still shooting to be your new favorite artist-just older."
Miggs prides himself on being an ace husband and father, and when not working on music he prefers to be working in those capacities first and foremost. But his other passions never sleep, and so he makes time by any means necessary to pursue those other aforementioned endeavors, while also maintaining a healthy lifestyle of playing tennis, working out, traveling, and more. He has written the first volume of his "Know Best" book series called "Dads Know Best," hosts a weekly FM radio show discussing everything from big-picture ideas about life to relatable minutia, has scored a handful of film soundtracks (his latest with Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins), helps to run a music publishing company and three fashion brands...it's enough to make your head spin.
And yet, through it all, Miggs maintains an even keel and simply chalks it up to work ethic, passion, and fearlessness. Having learned from some of the era's brightest, boldest, and best, many of whom he considers firsthand friends and accomplices, Miggs belongs to a select group of rock star humanitarians-some of whom are actual rock stars, while others embody the descriptor in their respective field-who fight for causes and speak for justice both onstage and off. "I'm drawn to people who care enough to lay it on the line and who aren't afraid of their flaws," he says. "People like Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen, and Bono, who know the power of being generous of spirit and heart when chasing their muse or commanding a stage."
And yet, for a world-beating personality like Miggs who has been to the top of so many mountains and dined at the tables of so many elites, the man still maintains a humble profile. Viewing himself as more of a conduit for inspiration and energy than a role model, Miggs strives to live each day to its fullest and to never stop believing in his own abilities-to connect, to protect, and to prevail.
"I've always felt like I represent most people," he says. "For me, the American Dream is being able to do what you're passionate about to feed yourself and your family. And if you get, you give-it's that simple. If people follow me it's because they know I won't give up. I collect good people with solid intentions to join me. But I'm as hungry as anyone you've ever met and still believe today will be the day I paint my masterpiece. I'm just getting started."
