Mike Hertel -- Vocals, Guitars, Sax

Mike has rejoined the band. Welcome back!!! Mike was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. and began playing guitar at the age of 7. Mike studied music theory in high school and also became quite proficient at playing Saxophone. 

Mike began writing songs at age 13 and joined his first band at age 15. After several years of playing with various local groups Mike moved to Miami Florida. In  September 1987, Child's Play was formed. Teaming up with Bassist Michael Barclay from Homestead Florida and Drummer Carol Ascari , the nucleus was formed.

In the summer of 1989 the band hired a singer/keyboard player and began collaborating on originals, showcasing throughout south Florida. In 1990  Child's Play recorded a 7 song EP at Miami Sound Studio. Upon Learning that another band out of Boston, Mass had dibs on the Child's Play name and were going to L.A. to cut an album, Mike and Crew changed the name to Big Sky. In 1991 the Keyboardist left and  Big Sky continued as a Trio until 1993 when the band decided to put things on hold. Mike experimented in various other projects over the next couple of years. In 1996 he joined the Florida Keys based group L.O.L., meeting Vocalist Greg Fratto. Mike, realizing the potential to complete the chemistry, contacted the former Players of  Big Sky  to arrange a recording session of some old as well as new material. Everyone was excited at the resurgence.

Changing the Band's name to Downpour, they chose a studio in Ft. Lauderdale to record a three song EP entitled " The Tip of The Iceberg". Unfortunately a distance problem ensued, thus two of the members had to leave the project. Not to be denied the ultimate goal, Mike, with Carol brought in singer/songwriter Jason Canary and bassist J. Deno Brown . After several months of success Mike and Carol left Downpour.

Mike, after 5 months away from the band rejoined Jason & Deno along with New Drummer Artie Manno   to continue the Downpour Legacy!!!!!!

After several months, In April of 2001, Mike  choose to take the opportunity to bow out to focus on more spritual pursuits----

Mike wished to keep the band name Downpour -- Thus after the return of Carol Ascari, the original Downpour drummer, and the addition of Tony Colella on lead guitar, Jason, Deno, and the band chose Filmore Street as the new group Moniker.

January 2002 saw Carol leave the band to get married and Tony left to pursue his education at Full Sail in Orlando -- Deno & Jason worked diligently to replace the missing players. as of april 2002 not having found the players needed the future looked dim.

Adam of  The Factory, Ft. Lauderdales Premier Rock club called to say that "Burner" , a Fellow South Florida Rock act had just been signed by Arctic Records,wished that Downpour would play their CD release party. Downpour, now being Filmore Street. 

Deno & Jason on a whim called Mike who was excited to play.  Artie Manno agreed to play drums, thus bringing the Downpour Players together as Filmore Street.