The Sound of Deception: Country Rap’s Mikel Knight & His Notorious Street Teams
UPDATES TO THIS STORY:
(10-12-15): Mikel Knight Street Team Member Found Dead in Nashville
– – – – – – – – –
If you pay any attention to the country rap realm, you may have heard of a performer by the name of Mikel Knight who originally hails from San Antonio, TX, and is now based out of Nashville. Mikel goes under a couple of handles, such as “The Maverick,” “The Maverick of Music Row,” the “Urban Cowboy” and “The Country Rap King.” And from a number of measurables, Mikel Knight has a fairly successful career. His Facebook page boasts over 106,000 likes, he’s sold hundreds of thousands of records, he has numerous videos on YouTube with over half a million views, and regularly receives press coverage from major country music outlets, including The Boot which debuted a new video from the country rapper just in February as part of WGN America’s docuseries Outlaw Country. Knight’s music was also featured on MTV’s Buckwild show previously.
But Mikel Knight is not your average entertainer, even for the unusual world of country rap. He doesn’t have a label (which is where his “Maverick of Music Row” moniker comes from), he doesn’t seem to play any shows (or only plays shows on very rare occasions). Instead Mikel Knight makes his money by deploying fleets of tour vans and buses all mocked up with Mikel Knight insignia and full of street team members to solicit people on the street, in parking lots, and at gas stations all across the United States to purchase Mikel Knight country rap albums.
Known as the “Maverick Dirt Road Street Teams,” dozens of pseudo-employed Mikel Knight devotees fan out across smaller communities to aggressively peddle his country rap albums to local populations, usually working a dozen or more hours a day, driving through the night to their next locations, not even being given chances to shower or sleep, and leaving town before local authorities catch up with the street teams and make sure they’re obeying local sales ordinances. Right now Mikel Knight is thought to own two buses and 18 insignia-wrapped vans as part of his street team armada.
But the allegations and stories about the practices of Mikel Knight and the Maverick Dirt Road Street Team go beyond being overworked and circumventing local ordinances. Stories of physical abuse, mental anguish, individuals being abandoned in small towns, and even the death of street team members in auto accidents after being overworked have been circulating for the last year. Yet Mikel Knight seems to still enjoy superstar status in certain circles (partly because he presents such a high-profile persona through his vehicles), and few questions have been raised about what is really behind Mikel Knight and his street teams.
Recent Arrests of Mikel Knight Street Team Members
On Wednesday, May 20th, five members of Mikel Knight’s Maverick Dirt Road Street Team were arrested in Mitchell, South Dakota at the local Wal-Mart for selling CD’s without a proper peddler’s license. According to Patrol Sgt. Joel Reinesch, the Mikel Knight street teams have frequented Mitchell and surrounding communities often, usually being “shooed out of town” without incident. However, because of the recurring nature of the problem with the street teams, including the South Dakota Department of Revenue sending a letter to the Mikel Knight organization warning them about the violations as far back as 2014, the five men were arrested and cited with Class 1 misdemeanors.
The South Dakota Department of Revenue stationed two employees in the parking lot to witness the sales before the arrests were made. According to Sgt. Reinesch, since the Mikel Knight organization had been warned previously, the men could have been charged with felonies. All of the men were from different locations around the country. The individuals arrested were Dakota Savage (24) of Missouri, Terry Smith (24) of Tennessee, Jesse Weaver (22) of Oklahoma, Zachary Ayers (22) of West Virginia, and Austin Henderson (18) of Missouri. They all admitted to selling the merchandise, but none of them admitted to knowing Mikel Knight personally. Sgt. Reinesch said that they were not trying to keep the individuals from promoting Mikel Knight’s music, but after numerous warnings and incidents, authorities were left no choice but to make the arrests.
And this wasn’t the first run in with the law for the Mikel Knight street teams last week. On Monday, May 18th, authorities in Storm Lake, Iowa, approximately 3 ½ hours south and east of Mitchell, SD cited seven Mikel Knight Street Team members with Failure to Have a Solicitors License in connection with the sale of Mikel Knight CD’s.
The seven men cited were:
Zachary Ayers, age 23 of Shinnston, WV
Kyle Banks, age 25 of Moscow, OH
Austin Henderson, age 18 of Dexter, MO
Brian Mullen, age 28 of Hermitage, TN
Tyler Hediger, age 27 of Gore, OK
Terry Smith, age 25 of Cookville, TN
In O’Neill, Nebraska, about two hours south of Mitchell, SD, police were also warning residents on Wednesday, May 21st about the aggressive street teams in the area, and to not purchase items from them. “We have received several complaints about Mikel Knight vans and RVs in O’Neill and the surrounding areas,” local police said in a statement. “These parties do not have the proper permits to be selling items in the city of O’Neill. We have also take complaints of them stopping vehicles. Please do not purchase items from these vehicles and if seen attempting to sell items please make contact with your local police department.”
Police in nearby North Platte, Nebraska also received complaints about Mikel Knight street teams on Thursday, May 21st. Police were not able to make contact with the street teams before they left the area.
All of these incidents come as Mikel Knight’s “Maverick Dirt Road Street Team” continues to frequent the same towns they have been to before, building up a reputation with local residents and authorities who are then on the lookout for the vans and buses when they arrive in town.
The stated strategy behind Mikel Knight’s street teams is to circumvent the traditional album sales avenues so to not have to deal with the business side of music. You can still purchase Mikel Knight’s music online through the traditional channels like iTunes, and portions his music operation appear to operate quite normal. But his lack of playing shows and the aggressiveness of his stream team, and the way certain street team members have been treated is what has led to mounting controversy.
The Revealing Account of a Former Mikel Knight Street Team Member Ky Rodgers
In July of 2014, a former Maverick Dirt Road Street Team member named Ky Rodgers posted an extensive account of his year with Mikel Knight, the deceptions street team members were led to believe, the conditions they were forced to work under, how some members were beaten and abandoned for not making sales quotas, and how working conditions eventually resulted in Rogers being involved in a major motor vehicle accident that had him hospitalized with multiple broken vertebrae and other injuries.
“I was introduced by a couple of guys on his street team,” Ky Rodgers explained. “They told me about how he needed a new lead guitarist and that they had been showing him some of my YouTube videos and his current singer/rhythm player had fell in love with my playing. I remember riding up to Nashville, clothes packed and not even knowing what to expect. I get there, and he has like 5-6 fancy tour vans that had his face and name plastered all over them, all of them were sitting on some kind of rims nicer than most cars. The back of each van read “The Country Rap King, Music from MTV’s BuckWild”, and my heart began racing. I knew this was the real deal. I went around back to meet most of our street team, B-Mull our drummer, and Conrad the singer/guitarist at the time. We had maybe a total of 15 guys back there. We loaded up the next morning and headed out on tour, but little did I know what I was in for.”
Rodgers went on to explain that he never played any shows, and his duty as lead guitar player were to sell CD’s with everyone else in the band and the street team.
“We would pull up to random gas stations, businesses, it didn’t matter. The driver of each van would tell us to get out, ‘grab CD’s! Go hit that person..’ We weren’t touring doing shows or playing for anybody, it wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be at all … EVERY SINGLE DAY for a month to 2 months straight, we would get up at 6:30 AM and would not stop selling until midnight. We would meet up at Wal-Mart in a different town every night. Drivers would take their money that their team made that day and take it to Mikel Knight, where he would take all the money and put it in a safe. And after sweating all day, and being completely dead by the time we’d all meet up, I remember asking a couple guys on the street team ‘when we going to get a room, I’m tired man.’ and they just laughed and walked off. We slept in the vans, without getting a shower and would be woken up by Mikel Knight at 6:30 the next morning by him beating on your window and yelling at you to get out. We’d get out and he would have sort of an ‘inspiration’ speech. More like a ‘God gave me this plan a year ago and we’ve grown from 4 guys to 5 vans and 15 guys and making $10,000 a day as a company,’ while smoking on a blunt of weed. Then he would cuss / yell at the guys that didn’t do good the night before, telling them to get their numbers up or he’d slap the hell out of them, or something along those lines.”
Eventually Ky Rodgers became acclimated to the environment, became one of the street team’s best sellers, and would get compensated in intervals for his work for Mikel Knight.
“I started doing really well. Selling up to 70 cd’s a day … I remember walking into Mikel Knight’s basement and him handing me a couple thousand dollars and telling me he couldn’t wait to get me in the studio, that if I stayed around, he’d make me a rockstar. This was just the grind out part that had to be done first. After being handed a few thousand dollars my thoughts about the long nights and no showers went away. I thought, i’m 18 bringing home this kinda money in a month?? BY SELLING CD’S? I thought I had it made. But I didn’t even realize the brainwashing. His work ethics were so evil, the way he treated us was like we were slaves. But being this young, and getting handed that cash blinded me.”
Rodgers was eventually promoted to captain of one of the street teams, but began seeing things that disturbed him about Mikel Knight’s organization.
“People that had been with us from the beginning were getting promoted to driving the vans, but still had to sell CD’s. Sometimes, people’s money would come up short. Mikel Knight would beat them or have someone else jump them when we’d meet up at night. It could have been a miscalculation, or they could have stolen money, but Mikel Knight wasn’t taking chances. If someone’s team wasn’t making enough numbers, Mikel Knight would sometimes leave them in a town, sometimes without even their clothes, never paying them out. I never thought anything like this would happen to me.”
Ky Rodgers says that one night when riding in a street team van, the vehicle was in an accident in Utah, and the van fell off a three-story cliff. Ky was severely injured, and had to be care flighted to a hospital. He broke his L2, L3, and L4 vertebrae, his pelvis and sacrum, and was in the hospital for a week before he was discharged. He claims that Mikel Knight completely abandoned him and the rest of his street team crew, did not pay them, and would not return their personal possessions. Ky was stuck with $38,000 in medical bills, and couldn’t get Mikel Knight to even work with the auto insurance company to take out a claim, if the van was ever insured in the first place. “There was nothing we could do because we never signed anything saying ‘hey, you’re hired!’ He leaves no paper trail, no proof that anyone works for him, and he never withheld taxes from anyone’s pay.”
Two Street Team Members Die in Auto Accident
Ky Rodgers lived to tell his ordeal on the Mikel Knight Street Team, but two other individuals did not. A few weeks after Rodgers’ auto accident, another street team van was involved in an accident that killed two young men in Donley County in the Texas Panhandle. Taylor Robert Nixon and Robert Joseph Underfinger III were both killed in the June 16th, 2014 accident. The manager of the street team and one other individual were also injured in the incident.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety Senior Officer Daniel Hawthorne, at about 8:40 a.m. on June 16th, a 2005 Chevy van belonging to Mikel Knight veered off the road after overcorrecting and losing control, rolling several times before coming to a stop. Taylor Nixon and Robert Underfinger III were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the van. They were pronounced dead on the scene.
Speaking in the context of Ky Rodgers’ account of his experience on the Mikel Knight street team, the aunt of Taylor Nixon named Rabecca Hughes said, “Its purpose is to prevent inhumane treatment of people; to prevent death and destruction of our youth; to hold Mikel Knight accountable for his lack of protection of his employees and directly placing them in harm’s way; for prosecution of Mikel Knight and members of his staff for physically and emotionally abusing people and profiting from their sweat and blood … If we can save one life, prevent one accident, rescue one soul, then our purpose is served. In Taylor’s name, I will not rest until Mikel Knight hears my voice, recognizes my sister’s cries for her son, and feels the wrath of those united for justice.”
Mikel Knight’s Real Name and Criminal Past
Mikel Knight’s real name is said to be Jason Cross or Jason Michael Cross, and he’s said to have hid this name because of his criminal past. Jason Michael Cross is 37-years-old with a birth date of 09/06/1976. A search of the Davidson County (Nashville) Criminal Court Clerk Database turned up 20 separate court cases against Jason Cross since 2006, and one as recent as September of 2014. The counts include multiple counts of aggravated assault, harassment, vandalism, theft, and multiple drivers license violations.
- 12/5/2006 – Aggravated Assault
- 5/20/2009 – Protection Order Violation (3 Separate counts)
- 5/21/2009 – No Driver’s License
- 11/3/2009 – No Driver’s License
- 4/8/2010 – Theft of $500
- 4/8/2010 – Harassment – Distress
- 4/8/2010 – Vandalism of $1000
- 6/28/2010 – Harassment
- 6/28/2010 – Aggravated Assault (Bond of $75,000)
- 8/4/2010 – Vandalism of $1000
- 8/4/2010 – Harassment
- 8/4/2010 -Harassment – Distress
- 8/4/2010 – Aggravated Assault (felony)
- 8/4/2010 – Theft of $500 (felony)
- 6/7/2011 – No Driver’s License
- 12/28/2011 – Driving with a Suspended License
- 9/23/2014 – Driver’s License Revoked
Since Mikel Knight claims to be originally from San Antonio, Saving Country Music also checked with the Bexar County Criminal Court and found multiple arrests and court actions for the same Jason M. Cross with a birth date of 09/06/1976, including an aggravated assault from 2006 that a warrant for his arrest is currently issued for.
- 02/18/1995 – Attempted Robbery (felony – received 10 years probation)
- 02/19/1996 – Assault with a Deadly Weapon (felony)
- 03/16/1996 – Assault with Bodily Injury
- 05/16/1998 – Assault with Bodily Injury
- 09/2/1998 – Driving with Suspended License
- 09/7/1998 – Assault with Bodily Injury
- 09/07/1999 – Assault with Bodily Injury
- 05/27/2006 – Assault with Bodily Injury (Pending, warrant issued for his arrest)
Because of his attempts to cover up his real identity, Saving Country Music cannot 100% confirm that Mikel Knight is the same Jason Cross the above arrest records belong to, but it can be confirmed that the two separate arrest records are for the same individual, match up with what is believed to be Mikel Knights real name a birth date, and match up with Mikel Knight’s known whereabouts at the time of the incidents. There is also the possibility there are other arrests or criminal actions against him in other locations.
Mikel Knight, or Jason Cross has also used another pseudonym to perform under as a rapper named “A-Gee The Albino Gorilla.”
Charitable Donations
There has also been questions about claims of charitable contributions made by Mikel Knight street teams. In November of 2013, street teams set up shop in the towns of Joplin, Galena, Oswego and Parsons in the area around the Missouri and Kansas border. The teams were telling businesses where they sold CD’s near, as well as customers, that proceeds from sales would go to a charity called Safe Haven. “They called the police, and the police called me and asked me if I knew anything about it and I told them I had never even heard of him,” said Safe Haven Outreach Mission Inc. director Melissa Brown based in Parsons, KS. “I guess by the time the police got there, the guy was gone.” Later Mikel Knight’s manager explained the Safe Haven charity was actually a homeless charity based in Nashville, but the local Safe Haven charity in Parsons still felt people were being deceived that their money would be helping local communities.
Mikel Knight has worked with the Safe Haven charity in Nashville for multiple years, and claims he’s given over $150,000 to Safe Haven as proceeds from street team CD sales. Saving Country Music has confirmed Mikel Knight has given donations to the charity, but questions linger if the percentage of CD sales street team members claim to collect per album is the same amount delivered to Safe Haven in Nashville. Lining up Mikel’s accumulated CD sales with the amount donated to Safe Haven, the percentages do not appear what Mikel Knight street team members say they are. Nonetheless, sizable donations have been made to the Nashville homeless shelter in Mikel Knight’s name.
Mounting Pressure on Mikel Knight
In the midst of last week’s arrests of street team members, the injuries and deaths of previous street team members, and concerns for the legality of his organization and the welfare of his workers, pressure has mounted against Mikel Knight. But the country rap performer appears to be a master of evasion, and has avoided any serious examination from authorities.
There is a Facebook page set up called Families Against Mikel Night Maverick Dirt Road Street Team that is actively trying to keep tabs on Mikel Night and many of his closest supporters. Sensing pressure, Mikel Knight regularly lashes out at his detractors with bellicose social network posts.
Conclusion
Similar to how country rap and hick hop preys on the culturally disenfranchised in America’s small towns, so does Mikel Knight and his street teams. Seeming to avoid major metropolitan areas, they set up in small towns just large enough to have a Wal-Mart, and fan out in flashy vehicles that impress locals and make them look like a major organization. It’s a superstar facade that lures in both fans, and prospective street team members who are sold on the idea of being a part of something big. Unfortunately it all hides a culture of harassment, assault, and manipulation. By operating on the road and using the shield of charity, Mikel Knight has been able to stay one step ahead of local authorities, and much of the entertainment media who just see him as another country rap star with a grassroots following and approach. Serious inquiries should be made into the legalities and working environment of the Mikel Knight organization before more injuries, assaults, and deaths are allowed to occur.
September 5, 2015 @ 2:42 pm
They were in Alma, Michigan today. I warned my kids to stay away if they see those vans.
October 4, 2015 @ 5:06 am
They had three buses yesterday in Ky at the Allen DoubleKwik, Ivel BP, and Pikeville K-Mart until after dark. I last seen them traveling south on US 23 when I came through Pikeville last night from work. Hope this helps anyone
October 5, 2015 @ 1:08 pm
They are in Ohio right now at a gas station
October 7, 2015 @ 6:59 am
They were in West Virginia yesterday. Tried selling me stuff.
October 26, 2015 @ 6:48 pm
They were in nitro wv this evening!
November 10, 2015 @ 3:01 pm
Glenpool oklahoma today at QT
November 11, 2015 @ 11:57 am
They were in Stilwell, OK last night. I confronted them and told them to get in their van. I will pull a weapon to these guys.
November 12, 2015 @ 4:27 pm
Skiatook,Oklahoma yesterday and today at Wal-mart and QT at Hwy. 75 and Hwy 11 junction.
December 15, 2015 @ 5:55 pm
At walmart in Jesup, Ga today, Tuesday 12/15/15
December 16, 2015 @ 5:57 am
In St. Mary’s, GA on the 15th as well. Cops had their bus stopped in our local Walmart parking lot.
January 14, 2016 @ 11:20 pm
Wal-Mart williamston nc
February 21, 2016 @ 10:47 pm
His bus and van were at Walmart in Washington Indiana just this afternoon selling cd’s.
September 5, 2015 @ 9:27 pm
They were also in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Weren’t aggressive and seemed to be nice guys, but it annoyed me that I was stopped while leaving the drive thru with dinner. Not the best time to talk to people in my opinion.
September 8, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
You were lucky they stopped you in a car. If they catch you going into a store they’ll follow you to the door and follow you all the way back out to the car, to the point that you have to eventually say, “Sorry, gotta go, in a hurry.”
September 6, 2015 @ 3:43 pm
these vans were at our walmart in cadillac,mi told kids to stay clear!
September 6, 2015 @ 9:35 pm
They are in Roscommon , mi at the shell gas station right now (9-7-15) (12:35am)
September 7, 2015 @ 8:24 am
They were headed up I27 at about 10:30 am yesterday. There was a cop right behind them.
September 7, 2015 @ 1:56 pm
They’re setup in the parking between Culver’s and Hobby Lobby just off M-32 in Gaylord 2 hrs ago. They’re all waving cds in their hands so I’d say soliciting or trying to scam or peddle someone.
September 7, 2015 @ 6:22 pm
Who the hell do you think you mother fuckers are? Nothing but scamming people! Your music SUCKS! Heck you suck. I mean Country/Rap? An was stay the fuck out of Michigan you nasty ass idiots!
September 7, 2015 @ 7:08 pm
They are in Cheboygan mi right now…..it’s 10 pm and my roommate states they are just hanging out at a gas station parking lot.
September 7, 2015 @ 7:10 pm
In Hillman Michigan George Jones must be rolling over in his fucking grave with this bullshit ass country music.
September 8, 2015 @ 6:40 am
In Escanaba, MI Walmart parking lot this morning
September 8, 2015 @ 7:39 am
They are in Escanaba 49829 right now. 2 just got arrested for fleeing and eluding. Bet they get abanadoned.
September 9, 2015 @ 12:17 pm
In Northern WI today. Rhinelander, Merril, and Minocqua.
September 9, 2015 @ 5:20 pm
I saw the bus in Walmart’s parking lot yesterday afternoon in Marinette, WI
September 10, 2015 @ 2:25 am
They were in Crystal Falls Michigan At a corner gas station on Tuesday night..they seemed like nice people..
September 10, 2015 @ 10:56 am
In Central WI today.
September 10, 2015 @ 3:31 pm
At the four corners south of Amery, WI today (hwy 64&63)
September 10, 2015 @ 6:20 pm
local law is warning everyone, they said the had a few problems. https://www.facebook.com/Stanley-Police-Department-690368994364029/timeline/ stanley wi 9-10-15
September 10, 2015 @ 10:27 pm
They are in Eau Claire right now
September 10, 2015 @ 10:27 pm
They are in Eau Claire Wi right now… Police have had several calls of them being aggressive
September 11, 2015 @ 12:33 pm
I just seen them in Winona one wanted to cross the road infont of me so I stopped and let him then the driver of the van nodded and said thanks so they seemed nice to me also
September 11, 2015 @ 9:13 pm
They were in Medford, WI today. At the BP station and then at Holiday. I seen 2 squads talking with them.
September 12, 2015 @ 7:57 am
They were in Decorah IA last night. Skeazy pitchmen.
September 12, 2015 @ 9:12 am
They are in Oelwein, IA right now!
September 12, 2015 @ 10:38 pm
never laid eyes on a one of them, but apparently least one of them is a fan of my ex’s uncle and his truck… so much that his wife posted a pic of one of them snapping photos of the truck…
September 13, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
Riverside Iowa Kum and Go, Cody Stine and another guy in a van selling CDs at 2:30 PM CST.
September 14, 2015 @ 12:38 am
They were at a Casey’s off I-280 near Davenport IA Got stopped told them no n left . I’m working on 280 so stopped to get coffee at another gas station on I-80 outside Davenport,IA talked to a kid n bought a CD wished I would of seen this Before man I slap the shit outta that fool Mikel his CD bouts to be burned for real garbage
September 14, 2015 @ 7:18 am
Marion Iowa Walmart parking sept. 14
September 14, 2015 @ 11:15 am
Sorry, I stopped reading after “country rap artist”
September 15, 2015 @ 1:55 am
Come on people.. has the world really been taken over by idiots?!? You people are so ill conceived it makes me sick!! It doesn’t matter what kind of music you listen to, if you like the sounds of Mikel Knight or not. What matters is that these guys are out doing there jobs trying to do something that not many of you ball less people posting would have in you to do! What the hell is the difference in them selling these c.ds out of vans at gas stations, or Jehovah’s witnesses coming to your home, or a vacuum salesman, or a fuckin girl scout selling cookies?!? These people are amazing people and everyone is so quick to judge, but yet don’t do investigating into the situations and the good things that they do.. look it up people, you guys really seem as if it wouldn’t hurt you to become educated in something! God himself said that He is the only one that has a right to pass judgement.. shame on you all!!
September 18, 2015 @ 6:55 am
these people tryed to luer my 12 year old sister into there van last night. they have done this to many people in the area. it is not like an everyday sales man. havent you heard the stories from people who escaped out of th sales of him. if they didnt sale enough cds they didnt get food and if they didnt sale they also got the crap beat out of them . they are in the westville and georgetown il area as of last night stay away from these people.
September 20, 2015 @ 7:57 am
I love it when people have to get all faux religious to argue some stupid point. Who the heck are you trying to kid? You have probably never seen the inside of a church in your entire life.
March 26, 2016 @ 7:07 am
Angela:
If you are so concerned with these guys who are “just doing their jobs” then you should welcome a report that exposes the fact that they are working in horrible conditions and being assaulted. Agreed?
If Knight’s organization can be held accountable for these allegations by regulators, then this team which you love so much will get the same humane working conditions you and I enjoy. That’s only fair, right?
Also you do understand that we have solicitation laws and surey you do not condone proven cases of such law breaking?
Finally, you claimed that no one had investigated the situation. What you just read was a thorough investigation based on eyewitness testimony and actual court and police records.
September 19, 2015 @ 10:25 pm
One of their vans were just spotted today in Beardstown, IL. The people who saw it were well aware of their reputation.
September 20, 2015 @ 5:12 pm
They are in Pana Illinois at the Walmart tonight.
September 21, 2015 @ 6:47 pm
They were in Jerseyville Illinois last night.
October 2, 2015 @ 9:07 pm
They were in Manchester KY @ 10pm selling CDs. I had to look them up. They said they are going to go to Sumerset
October 5, 2015 @ 7:21 am
I was approached by one of Mikel Knight’s lackies in Portland, OH heading back home from a weekend trip in WV. Nice enough guy. He was trying to sell me a CD set for $25. I wasn’t buying CD’s from a band I’ve never heard of, so he tried to sell me one for $10. I figured there wasn’t anything to lose, so I bought one. It was the biggest load of crap music I have ever heard in my life. I’m a music guy and there was no part of it that was any good. The arrangements of the songs were almost exactly the same. It just wasn’t “good” by any stretch of the imagination. Admittedly, the van was enough to convince me that this could possibly be good, and this Mikel Knight just might have something decent to offer. Man was I wrong. It. Was. Horrible. Fortunately, I’m only out $10 of my own money that I EARNED by working, not someone else’s for something terrible I created. Crap music!
October 5, 2015 @ 1:29 pm
One of their vans is in New Martinsville, WV right now. Hubby said there’s a nice, huge RV at one of the hotels.
I’m kinda torn…. I bought one of his cd’s yesterday, listened to it and liked it. I called my husband earlier and told him if he wanted to get another he could. He said he already bought two more. After reading this, I’m torn about how I feel. If this is true, at least maybe we’ll help someone from getting the crap beat out of them.
October 5, 2015 @ 1:37 pm
I should also say… they never said the money was going towards a charity. Just that the newest album was $15 and the older, including their best seller was $10.
October 5, 2015 @ 6:26 pm
I saw the bus and vans pull into our St. Clairsville, OH Wal-Mart at around 7:15 pm today. Their tour bus caught my attention so I parked close to where they parked. I had never heard of this guy, but I was intrigued to seek out who this guy is.
They had two guys peddling his CD’s. At first I thought they were giving them away and were promoting a local show. I realized something wasn’t right when his website didn’t have an up to date list of his tour dates. It was then I decided to research this clown and found this website.
Great work, guys!
October 6, 2015 @ 2:07 pm
They were Breusters ice cream and Jerry’s Curb service restaurant @ 4pm today. 25 miles north of Pittsburgh near Beaver Pa. Was intrigued because I caught a Doucette bag vib just watching them.
October 6, 2015 @ 2:53 pm
They currently have a van in New Castle, PA
October 9, 2015 @ 12:28 pm
His street team was here yesterday in Hollidaysburg, PA. Any time a car came up to the bus, two guys would jump out with CDs in their hands. While the guys did seem friendly, they were pushing the CDs hard. I had no idea who this artist was until reading your story about him. While I suppose the practice is legal, the Saving Country Music opinion that the street team is a flashy bus in a small rural area to impress the locals does seem like a valid one. I came on here to learn more about him and see when his tour dates were (assuming he was in the area for a concert) and was astonished to learn that he does all this without touring. Thanks for giving us the real story on this guy.
October 12, 2015 @ 2:14 pm
These guys were in my area on Friday. They were behaving very weirdly. As I got out of my car a big guy started walking straight at me, he said something vulgar and I continued to walk to the store. When I came out I was approached again. I left and hours later when I passed through, they were standing out in a really bad rain storm waving cds at people. I’m glad I found more information on Mikel Knight and sleazy practices.
October 12, 2015 @ 3:42 pm
They were at a gas station in Jarrettsville,MD an hour ago.
3 or 4 vans with all the graphics and a plain pick up truck.
All have Tennessee license plates.
October 12, 2015 @ 7:30 pm
They were in Hanover PA yesterday I saw them in the evening at the Wal-Mart Parking lot, then this morning they were loading up vans with totes from the buses at the local Super 8 Motel. The said part is Sunday night when I saw them they all had a bunch of young teenagers swarming around them. They definitely have impressive looking buses – such a shame they prey on small towns.
October 13, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
In North East, Maryland WalMart Lot 10/13/15
October 16, 2015 @ 3:11 am
They were in Greensboro all day in front of a little convenient store hogging up the parking lot. They were yellling over to people while at traffic lights talking about their music. Kinda reminded me of a desperate crack head begging for money. Really pathetic. I don’t think that is how a ‘successful’ musician should behave.
October 16, 2015 @ 9:27 am
These guys are in Kennet square,Pa today parked across from Ollie’s and Dollar general! They have been out here since about 9am..
October 18, 2015 @ 3:09 pm
I have mentioned this to a friend on Facebook about this guy and shared his story. His Facebook is either taken down or I am blocked by both of them for telling his story. I tried to protect my friend from being taken advantage of.
October 19, 2015 @ 6:36 am
They were in Bartonsville, Pa last night at 11:45 pm at the gas station on route 611 across the street/road from the Red Lobster . They had the tour bus & three vans , they were waving at drivers pulling into the gas station as they were holding CD’s in there hands … I suppose trying to give the impression that there was somebody famous making a pit stop & would you like a CD !!!!
November 20, 2015 @ 10:15 am
I met this guy November 18 in Colorado. .I was given a CD and he signed and dated it. .it was the guy on the cover of the CD and who’s face was on the van. .he told me about being on the buckwile show. .I told him I never heard of the show. .I also saw the tour bus at Wal-Mart. .the cops were there but it didn’t look like anything bad was going on, I just assumed the cop knew that band and stopped to chat
October 20, 2015 @ 5:48 am
This douche’s tour bus is sitting in a Kmart parking lot in Binghamton NY right now.
October 20, 2015 @ 12:51 pm
Out towards Newark Valley now. Got chased out of Apalachin Sunoco by local Deputies. What a sham!
October 20, 2015 @ 12:52 pm
Out towards Newark Valley now. Got chased out of Apalachin Sunoco by local Deputies. What a sham! Never heard of this joker until today. Now as far as country rap goes…. Try Cowboy Troy! He actually does real tours in his tour bus and performs actual shows.
October 20, 2015 @ 7:04 pm
They are at Price Chopper parking lot in Norwich, NY right now
October 21, 2015 @ 7:43 am
They were seen in Hamilton NY, Sherburne NY, and Norwich NY all throughout the day and last night. I know several people reported them to the police. They were spotted this morning in Camillus NY (up by Syracuse).
October 22, 2015 @ 1:50 pm
They were at the Manchester Mart in Manchester, NY this morning, right off the Thruway. I pulled in for gas, and one of their guys wandered up to me, and said “you look like a guy that loves good country music.” I said yes I do, and he started pitching the cd’s and talking about how great their songs were. He tried selling 3 CDs for $35… I said no thanks, but I’ll check you out on iTunes…. He offered one cd for $10, I said sure, if I have it on me… I came up with $9 cash, and got the cd. Threw it in the radio on the way home… Utter, complete bullshit music. Stay away from these guys.
October 22, 2015 @ 2:27 pm
They where at the Tractor supply in Macedon NY about 11:30am this morning, and I had to call the police on them because they where harassing our customers. I had to escort two of them out because they where legitimately afraid of them. Also, their music is shit.
October 22, 2015 @ 6:18 pm
They were in Albion, NY @ Walmart! Seemed nice but something about them made me nervous!
November 14, 2015 @ 5:27 pm
In AMARILLO TX TODAY… 11/14/2015 at WALMART. I bought 2 cd’s for 20 bucks. I was scammed… crap music
November 15, 2015 @ 9:59 am
In Guymon Ok today working McDonalds like they own it
November 16, 2015 @ 2:41 pm
Well, they’re in Southern Colorado today, West of Pueblo, last seen in Florence. Anybody need a copy of the CD?
November 19, 2015 @ 9:59 am
They were in Pueblo, CO Sav A Lot Parking Lot Monday Night Selling CD’s in the pouring rain. Said they were headed to New Mexico later that evening….
November 19, 2015 @ 8:15 pm
Seen today at 2:15 at Alsop’s in Clarendon tx at Alsups in donly county were the accident was I knew I recognized the name the whole reason I bought the CD
November 20, 2015 @ 1:35 pm
They were in Lubbock, Tx an hour ago
November 24, 2015 @ 9:56 am
Weatherford Tx Yesterday
November 25, 2015 @ 10:16 am
They were at the Wal-Marts in Denton and Lewisville, TX last night. I thought it was funny that a band would advertise their brand on their bus. Seems like it would scream “hey thieves, come steal our gear!” I hope this reaches as many as possible in hopes of protecting people.
November 25, 2015 @ 9:47 pm
They were in Mcgregor Texas at about 8:30 I bought a cd pretty good music..
November 28, 2015 @ 10:52 pm
They were here in Boerne, TX on 11/26/2015. We’re a small town right outside San Antonio, Tx. There were 3 or 4 buses though.
November 29, 2015 @ 6:16 pm
We saw them going from 37 north onto 410 east on the south side of San Antonio yesterday. We thought it was odd that none of the vehicles said what they are or did. Band? Motorcycle team? Bull riders? Couldn’t tell.
November 29, 2015 @ 7:24 pm
Saw the RV bus in the parking lot at the Wal-Mart in Floresville TX just a couple of days ago. Never heard of them until this post. I wish I had so I could have called it in.
November 30, 2015 @ 6:34 am
They had an RV and a couple of vans at the Pure Country Convenience Store off I-37 South and Hwy 99 on Saturday night November 28. They were freezing and they fed me the story of supporting a shelter in Nashville, TN. They were headed back to Nashville on Sunday.
December 13, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
They are in milledgeville ga today
December 15, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
They were in Vidalia, GA last night at Walmart. They seemed nice, but I was clear that their music wasn’t appreciated in South GA and they were wasting their time trying to sell it to me. Also let the guys know that harassing some of the folks down here will get them shot. Funny thing is they couldn’t sing any of the songs they were selling!! These guys are clowns.
December 15, 2015 @ 3:04 pm
These clowns were at the Walmart in Lampasas, TX on Thanksgiving day. They weren’t having much success peddling their CD’s. They didn’t stick around long. I wish I would have known about them so I could turn them in.
December 16, 2015 @ 12:56 pm
I found this article after googling to find out where he had a show in my area. The buses and vans are at 3 different gas stations along a road in my town. I couldn’t find any shows listed on the show schedule and the bus was still crammed in the tiny parking lot of one of the gas stations an hour after I first passed it. I wondered why they would be taking this way to get to Jacksonville, but now it all makes sense. I’d not heard of him and only realized who he was when I saw “Saddle Up Shawty” on the side of the bus. I know the song because I worked in a country bar here (now closed) and it was a very popular line dance. It still is at the country bars up the road in Jacksonville. Anyway. I’m in Middleburg, FL (suburb of Jacksonville) and I saw at least 3 vans and a bus at various locations. The last one I saw was a bus at a gas station at about 2:00 this afternoon.
December 19, 2015 @ 1:14 pm
Zephyrhills, FL today
December 21, 2015 @ 9:25 pm
They were in moultrie ga today
January 11, 2016 @ 4:09 pm
They are in Gaffney , South Carolina just seen them at Walmart
January 12, 2016 @ 9:34 am
MikeL Himself is In Franklinton NC and Roxboro NC today.
January 13, 2016 @ 10:16 pm
Was seen yest coming through Roxboro NC traveling North down Madison Blvd towards South Boston VA. Hope this helps!!
January 14, 2016 @ 8:25 am
Tues jan 14 they were in south hill, va
January 14, 2016 @ 7:16 pm
Last time they were in Mount Pleasant Michigan they tried to get in my boy’s frat party to play their CD.
Later on I went to the Bird and Mikel was there with some dude calling himself “Cool Whip” and they offered to give me head. Friggin gay!
January 14, 2016 @ 7:28 pm
Seen in Richlands NC @ Walmart. Date: Jan. 14th, 2016
January 15, 2016 @ 8:05 am
They are currently in eastern North Carolina.
January 20, 2016 @ 10:33 pm
Middleburg Fl gas small gas station. They had cops all around them and one in the car. We were just trying to figure out who they are.
January 20, 2016 @ 10:36 pm
Middleburg Fl had cops all around them and one in the car. We were just trying to figure out who they are.
January 22, 2016 @ 10:35 pm
I just got approached by one of these “Street Team Members” in Melbourne Florida. Their van was sitting at a gas pump at 7-11, 605 South Wickham Road 32904.
January 24, 2016 @ 10:28 pm
They are in Jupiter Florida as of 7 pm 01/25/2016
January 26, 2016 @ 12:23 pm
Fort Myers FL today at 2 locations.
January 26, 2016 @ 8:57 pm
They where in Wauchula Fl at my store . .trying to find my local bars to play in
January 28, 2016 @ 2:00 pm
Got approached by these guys last night in Land O’ Lakes, FL. 7/11 at SR 54 and US HWY 41… That HAS to be the WORST excuse for music I’ve heard in my entire life.
January 28, 2016 @ 2:37 pm
They were just here in Alva Florida on Sunday
January 30, 2016 @ 12:15 pm
Cross city fl last night very pushy music sucks and sounds like crap and they smell like a cigarette factory .
January 31, 2016 @ 8:14 am
Marianna Florida @ Walmart.
Jan 30th 2016.
Big tour bus, plus a van. Waving cds in the parking lot.
February 1, 2016 @ 7:37 am
They were in Wakulla County, Florida yesterday just east of Marianna, Jan, 31. and yes there is a Wal-mart right up the Road! for the Gas Station they were seen at! they were seen on RD, 267, that Leads out of Town! so I am thinking that is the RD they are Taking out heading more than likely over to Tampa and such…
Perry Florida I would guess would be the Next town with a Wal-Mart!
February 1, 2016 @ 10:23 am
They in Moultrie Georgia now at race way
February 1, 2016 @ 10:35 am
They’re in Cairo, Ga at the walmart today!
February 1, 2016 @ 1:12 pm
They are in Thomasville at wal-Mart right now also
February 1, 2016 @ 11:27 pm
They were in Leesburg, Ga at Flash foods on hwy 19 around 11:30 p.m. one of the guys approached me to buy cd. I refused, didn’t know who they were.
February 2, 2016 @ 6:44 pm
Were at walmart in americus, ga today.
February 4, 2016 @ 9:49 am
Wal-Mart Athens, Ga.
February 19, 2016 @ 7:15 pm
Dongola, illinois got my husband for $25 ! He was at a gas station in town
February 20, 2016 @ 5:10 pm
PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE!!! He kidnapped my BF and he is located an hour away from Benton, Illinois! He is on foot, alone, mile and miles away from people! He hasn’t been answering my calls or messages for the last hour!
February 21, 2016 @ 2:29 pm
THEY (Mikel Knight “Band”) were in Mount Carmel, IL today about noon. I went to social media to let others know. They were at Casey’s. Not sure which way they were heading next or if they’re still in town, or if the police made them leave…
February 21, 2016 @ 2:39 pm
From the comments posted, they seem to be heading East, North-East
February 21, 2016 @ 7:15 pm
They were in Vincennes IN today.
February 21, 2016 @ 10:54 pm
Washington Indiana today.