Mike Henry

Mike Henry

Slam Poet


Austin Slam Poetry

Austin, TX USA


I found quickly this world of poetry and performing: this is it; this is my juice. This is what drives me.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Mike Henry

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.
After school, he did what he says a lot of people do: tried odd jobs, thought about grad school, played music with his friends.
Had an interest in writing and poetry, but had never found a community where he could pursue it until he moved to Austin.
Decided he'd sit back and watch open mic performances for a year to learn the craft.
Says the first time he took the leap and performed, it probably wasn't great: "the angels might not have sang."
But after that first performance, he knew he'd found his "juice," the thing that would drive him.
Dedicated himself to building a career and a life where he could support himself with his art.
Says his parents didn't understand his craft; to them, his slam poetry was like "speaking martian."
But even that added fuel to his drive; he was determined to get to a place where he'd be happy and his family would be proud of him.
Keep following my journey

Career

Slam Poet

I create taste-making live events and build vibrant local music scenes in Austin, Texas and downtown Las Vegas.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Writing
Being Creative

Interviewed By

Santa Fe - Austin

Santa Fe - Austin

: In New Mexico, the Roadtrip Nation team interviews Baron Wolman, the first photographer for Rolling Stone magazine. Wolman went to spy school during the Vietnam War to avoid the draft and was stationed in Berlin when the Wall went up. In Austin, TX they interview Mike Henry, poetry slam artist, and Bev Kearney, head track and field coach at UT Austin.