The Real Tall Midgets
The band Real Tall Midgets are an acoustic duo that gets crowds dancing and singing along at local bars, like Louie’s and The Lake Inn, on a regular basis. They are not especially tall, nor are they especially short. They are Mike Thomas and Dave Stuter, two friends who have been playing, singing and performing together for over 15 years. Their finely honed talent on 6 and 12 string guitar, harmonica and vocal harmonies can take you everywhere from Johnny Cash to Neil Young, Van Morrison to Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and from Simon and Garfunkel to the Violent Femmes. When Dave Stuter was a teenager, he picked up a guitar his dad had around the house, figuring like many teenagers, that learning a few songs would be a good way to meet girls. It wasn’t long before he found he could sing too, and soon he added the harmonica to his repertoire. Dave’s vocal versatility is really something to hear. When he sings Johnny Cash, he sounds like Johnny Cash, and the same goes for his Neil Young.
Having personally known Mike Thomas since Junior High, I don’t remember a time or place he didn’t have his guitar with him. Mike has been playing around the campfire and at get-togethers for as long as I can remember. Mike’s attention to detail is remarkable, and he is the kind of rare performer that really immerses himself in his delivery, teasing every nuance from his material. Like Dave, his vocals and harmonies capture the character of the original.
The two met at a family get-together back in the 90’s and played a few songs they both happened to know. Quickly realizing that “this sounds really good,” they decided to audition for some weekend gigs at RJ’s pub in Rochester- and they got the job.
The Real Tall Midgets brought in lots of patrons, put on a good show and got paid for it. With that kind of winning combination, it made sense for them to make playing a regular thing. Since then they’ve pleased audiences from Auburn Hills to Port Austin, playing classic rock and contemporary music from the last four decades. These two know how to play it all, and they know how to bring the crowd to their feet, singing and dancing.
With a catalog of over 400 songs, you can bet that if you want to hear a song, they know it. If you’re “that guy” and are looking to hear something really obscure, one of them will know the chords, or the words, and they’ll probably be able to put it together in a few minutes! Not only do they take requests, they encourage their crowd to shout them out. In other words, The Real Tall Midgets are fun to see, and they have a lot of fun performing, as much fun perhaps, as the folks they’re playing for!
Dave and Mike are also members of a full 5-piece band called In2Deep, which can be booked for parties or festivals. You can catch The Real Tall Midgets at The Lake Inn in Lapeer, Michigan, on the third Friday or Saturday of the month. Check out The L.A. View, or contact The Lake Inn, for dates and times.
If you're interested in booking The Real Tall Midgets or In2Deep for events or parties, please contact Dave Stuter at (810) 441-2599.
Jill
