Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Amos.
Hi Mike, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our story really started long before County Line Lineage. It started when I handed my son Chris his first guitar.
Chris never had a formal lesson. From the beginning he had a natural feel for music, and before long we were spending hours together learning songs, trading guitar licks and pushing each other to get better. Looking back, those nights weren’t just about learning to play, they built a father-and-son bond that still defines who we are today.
When Chris was 12 years old, he joined me on stage for the first time and played three songs. By the next year he was playing full shows, and over the last twenty years we’ve shared the stage in four different bands, playing bars, fairs, festivals, private events and music venues throughout the Midwest.
One of the greatest blessings of my life has been watching Chris grow from the kid I taught to play guitar into the guitarist, songwriter and musician I now have the privilege of standing beside as an equal. Somewhere along the way, the student became someone I learn from every day.
For years we loved performing cover songs, but eventually we realized the part we loved most was creating something that was truly ours. We made the decision to leave the comfort of the cover scene behind and focus on original music.
Then we hit a crossroads. Our longtime drummer and close friend decided to step away, and for a while we honestly wondered if our journey had reached its end. Instead of walking away, we chose to give the dream one more honest push.
That decision led us to Ryan Sloan on bass and Patrick Garrett on drums. They weren’t simply musicians filling open positions—they were exactly the people we had been hoping to find. Ryan brought incredible creativity and a fresh perspective. Patrick brought the groove, intensity and drive that completed our sound. More importantly, they both believed in the same vision we did.
That’s how County Line Lineage was born.
Today, I don’t think of us as four musicians who happen to play together. I think of us as four friends who have become a brotherhood through music. Chris and I may have started the journey together, but Ryan and Patrick made it complete. Every one of us has an equal voice, a shared purpose and the same commitment to creating honest Southern flavored rock music that we’re proud to call our own.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change it.
Like most musicians, we’ve had to balance careers, family life, rehearsals, songwriting and travel. Building an audience for original music takes patience, and there are plenty of moments when you question whether you’re doing the right thing.
Losing our longtime drummer was probably the biggest challenge because he wasn’t just a bandmate, he was family. Looking back, though, that difficult time became the turning point that brought Ryan and Patrick into our lives and ultimately led to County Line Lineage as it exists today.
Every challenge has reinforced why we started this journey in the first place. Success isn’t just about bigger stages or more people in the crowd. It’s about creating music you’re proud of with people you genuinely respect.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from our story, it’s that County Line Lineage wasn’t built overnight. It was built over decades of family, friendship, perseverance and a shared belief that authentic music is always worth chasing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At the heart of what we do, we’re storytellers. We just happen to tell those stories through Southern rock.
County Line Lineage is built around writing and performing original music that’s honest, authentic, and rooted in real life. Our songs come from experiences we’ve lived—family, friendship, hard work, perseverance, and the ups and downs that shape all of us. We don’t try to write songs that fit a trend. We write songs that mean something to us and hope they mean something to the people listening.
What makes this band unique is that it isn’t built around one person. Every member brings something essential to the table.
Chris is an exceptional guitarist and songwriter, and collaborating with him has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Ryan brings a fresh musical perspective, incredible instincts, and a creativity that continually pushes our songs to another level. Patrick is the heartbeat of the band. He brings energy, groove, and an intensity that drives every performance. Together, we challenge each other to be better musicians and better songwriters.
We’re also pretty old school in the way we approach music. We believe in real amplifiers, real instruments, and the chemistry that happens when four musicians are in a room creating together. We aren’t interested in taking shortcuts if it means sacrificing the sound or feel we’re after. We want every show to feel genuine because that’s what we enjoy as musicians ourselves.
More than anything, I’m proud of the culture we’ve created within the band. There’s mutual respect, trust, and a willingness to leave our egos at the door for the sake of the song. That’s not something you can manufacture, and I think people can feel it when they see us perform.
If there’s one thing that sets County Line Lineage apart, I don’t think it’s just our music. It’s our story. It started with a father teaching his son to play guitar, but over the years it grew into something much bigger. Today it’s four musicians who have become a brotherhood, united by a shared passion for creating authentic Southern rock and giving audiences something real every time we step on stage..
We’re not trying to be the next version of someone else. We’re trying to be the first and only version of County Line Lineage.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
We’ve never had just one mentor. Every musician we’ve shared a stage with has taught us something. Some showed us what to do, others showed us what not to do, and every experience helped shape the musician and people that we are today.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that your reputation will often open more doors than your talent. Be prepared, work hard, keep your word and treat people with respect. The music community is a lot smaller than people realize, and people remember how you carry yourself.
County Line Lineage came together because of family relationships that had been built over many years. Ryan and Patrick didn’t join because of a classified ad, they joined because of trust, mutual respect and a shared vision. To me, that’s what networking is really about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://countylinelineage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countylinelineage
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18GStZ6wC5/?mibextid=xxlfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@countylinelineage?si=clxijlra_Khu9Zuy
Image Credits
Jeff Knights
