My Story
Hello, I am Michael Brent Cline - the Bass Slinger. I have been playing electric bass for forty years in various styles covering rock, metal, funk, jazz, folk, and country. I play fretted and fretless electric basses, have studio experience, read music, and can provide background vocals (baritone).
I grew up playing bass and tenor saxophone in Los Alamos, NM, and performed in various rock / metal, country, and jazz bands (I was lucky enough to make the 1989 All-State Jazz band on bass). I continued playing bass in various bands (including the UC Davis Jazz Band) in the Sacramento area in Northern California while attending college and working. I returned to Los Alamos, NM, in 1999 and later moved to Santa Fe, NM, in 2003. I have been playing bass in the local music scene as time and career permitted in several blues, folk, and rock bands. I made the Santa Fe Reporter Best of Santa Fe with the band Chango in 2019 and have also been the pit bassist for three musicals with the Santa Fe Playhouse (Rocky Horror 2017, Fun Home 2018, Mystery of Edwin Drood 2025).
I retired from my professional career as a mechanical engineer in late 2024 and am excited to pursue music full-time moving forward.
What I Offer
I bring a positive energy and creative professionalism to any musical endeavor. In addition to singing and learning new music very quickly, I also have excellent arranging skills. While primarily a finger style player, I am very comfortable with slap technique and can play with a pick if required (in addition to advanced techniques - tapping, harmonics, etc.). Finally, I have professional equipment and an extensive effects collections (for the artist looking for something different).