It Ain’t Over:
Retired Educator Pursues Dream in Music
Written by Justin D. Lamb
“I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t interested in music,” Mike Casteel said as he pondered a passion for music that has stuck with him throughout his entire life. “My desire to play music has always come from within.”
A native of Henderson, Kentucky, Casteel’s love for music began when he was a small child listening to the old replacement records his mother would bring home from the jukebox at the restaurant she worked at. “I played them constantly. I was only probably about 6 or 7, but knew even then that I wanted music to be part of my life.”
Elvis Presley was the first to get the attention of the young boy, but nothing compared to February 1964 when the British Invasion arrived and took America by storm including a young Mike Casteel. “The greatest influence for me in the world of music was the Beatles,” Casteel recalled. “Their performance on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 was a life changing event for me and it was there that my path of music was set in stone.”
By junior high Casteel began to learn the guitar in hopes of following a path of his own in the world of music. “A friend of mine and me began learning how to play the guitar and sing. We brought our guitars to school and were allowed to perform for different classes. By that time my musical motivation was bouncing off the wall!”
As Casteel went to high school, he and four other students formed a garage band and were playing for various events in his hometown. “We began practicing in the basement of one of the players and got to be pretty good considering our limited abilities at the time. As time went on and we improved, it wasn’t long before we started playing publicly for various events and this continued until our junior year in high school. We had a great run while it lasted.”
Casteel and his bandmates all soon graduated high school and went their separate ways. Casteel enrolled in Murray State University where he earned a degree and pursued a career in education. Casteel made Marshall County his home in 1975 and taught at Marshall County High School for 14 years. He later became a principal and ended his career as Director of Pupil Personnel at Marshall County Board of Education. His music took a backseat to his career, but never completely went away. “I continued to play and learn privately, and did a few performances here and there but nothing on a consistent level,” he said.
After 33 years in education, Casteel retired and it wasn’t long before music was taking center stage again. “When I retired I turned my attention back to my first love, music. I began to write my own music and the fire was kindled once again.” Casteel began playing on a regular basis and writing his own material. “Retirement gave the opportunity to focus on my music,” he said.
Casteel soon met Heath Glisson of Coffee Street Records who heard some of his songs and suggested that he record an album. “Recording an album was actually something that I have wanted to do my entire life,” Casteel said. “It started out as a project for my family, but grew into something more. I have finally fulfilled a dream that I never thought possible,” Casteel said.
The album It Ain’t Over, a collection of original material and covers of outlaw country and gospel, was released earlier this year and has gained considerable attention locally. With the guidance of Glisson and Coffee Street Records, Casteel shot a music video of his first single, “The Water” which has gained numerous views on YouTube and Facebook. “I am humbled and surprised at the response my album and video have received. I am grateful to be able to share my music with others and hope those that listen will enjoy,” Casteel said humbly. “Music touches me, always has and if someone can identify or feel something from my music, then I have succeeded in doing what I set out to do.”
For more information or to purchase a copy of It Ain’t Over, please contact Mike Casteel at (270) 703-0807 or visit mikecasteelmusic.com.