Michael George Estes was born on December 7, 1963. Mike began his musical career playing piano in the fifth grade. His first electric guitar was a cheap "Silvertone" he got from his neighbors garbage can. In 1982 while in high school, Mike struck up a friendship with the guys in the Rossington Collins Band.

Mike's band Helen Highwater was named by Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins. Mike, a talented vocalist, guitarist & songwriter founded "Brave New South" in the summer of '98' He is now playing his guitar in the APB band, and also the NASCAR band, "Drivin' Sideways". Mike is living in the Nashville, Tn. area, with his wife, Debbie.