Throughout the 1970s, a sharply dressed, honey-sounding soul singer named Mingering Mike gave James Brown a run as the hardest working man in show business. He put out albums like "Live From the Howard Theatre" (1969) and "Get'tin to the Roots of All Evils" (1971). He produced 45s like "Sweet Woman of Mine" and songs like "Nail in My Coffin." His output was prodigious and passionate. The only problem? It was all made up. This soul man's career was entirely fictional. The album covers were painstakingly painted on cardboard and shrink-wrapped with recycled plastic; the songs written and performed, but never pressed by a living, breathing label. Thousands of tunes and over 100 fake LPs pay testament to Mike's elaborate, secret existence as a Motown headliner. Now, a book and site invite the public to explore the life and work of the "the soul superstar you've never heard of." Welcome to the big time, Mingering Mike.
