Age: 39

Hometown: Big Chimney, West Virginia

Resident: Bear Grass, North Carolina

Mikele grew up surrounded by music, but in his small town a career in the coal industry is the reality for most men. After working on coal barges, Mikele joined the Army and was quickly deployed to Iraq for combat. Music helped Mikele through the atrocities of war and missing his family. About a year later, Mikele returned home and faced the difficulties of readjustment, but his experiences inspired him to fully pursue his passion for music. He formed the Mikele Buck Band and has spent the last 12 years on the road making a name for himself.