Dr. Mike Middleton is excited to announce his Myron Floren (famed accordionist from the Lawrence Welk show) Tribute Concert on May 6, 2023 at 3:PM (World Accordion Day) at A World of Accordions Museum, Superior Wisconsin. The accordion performance and stories will be told by Texan Mike Middleton MD.

On April 19, 2023 the Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America honored Dr. Michael Middleton, “Congratulations, Michael Middleton, MD on being selected as a member of the Longhorn Council’s 2023 Silver Beaver Class. We look forward to celebrating your many accomplishments at our Recognition Banquet on Wednesday, April 19.

An early memory for Mike as a child was going to Philmont where his father Forrest attended leadership DE training. Mike developed 2 passions there: he saw an older scouter playing the accordion during a campfire ceremony and developed a passion for accordion music, and he also developed likewise a passion for all things Scouting.

He enjoyed Boy Scouts but what was unique was his Eagle Scout Service Project in Austin where he performed accordion music as a 13-year-old scout for 20 Sr. Citizen and Childcare Centers. At his 1977 Eagle Board of Review, he was commended for doing a unique project they knew his parents could not do for him. He gained confidence and a passion for performing during this time and eventually became Texas State Champion Accordionist after high school. As a Scout Mike developed other interests including science, and chose to become a Physician, attending TAMU COM and later doing his residency in Nuclear Medicine. Together with his wife, Darla, they moved to the Bronx, and started a family during their NYC residencies. They returned to Texas in 1994 and Mike wanted to encourage his sons to start scouting, as well.

Mike founded a new Cub Scout pack in 2000 with his first son Lance and became Pack 122 Cubmaster. Known as “The Big Akela”, Mike grew his Pack from about 10 boys to over 65 serving as CM for 8 years, and concurrently as ASM for the new Troop 122. Notably, about 20 of his former cub scouts became Eagle Scouts, including both his sons, Lance and Mitch. The Pack camped twice a year, sometimes at his ranch in Belton, Texas where many earned their Polar Bear Awards and friendships developed.

By 2012 Mike began serving countless hours as a leader both professionally, musically, and within the BSA; and eventually was asked to become the District Chair for the Chisholm Trail District further developing friendships with many of his fellow adult scout leaders. Along the way, Dr. Mike performed the accordion at many events, including Scouting events, and has become internationally recognized.”

Mike shares, “I’m honored and humbled to receive this Silver Beaver recognition tonight. It would not have been possible without support of other friends and scout leaders, and my wife & family.”

Dr. Mike Middleton is an accomplished accordionist and his main musical interests are Midi Enhanced Accordion music from all genres. He performs mainly for charity events and local festivals, including all styles of international accordion music. Mike also enjoys arranging compositions on the accordion, and has recently been performing at many churches and for senior groups throughout Central Texas. Mike’s latest performances include his renditions/arrangements of “Ghostriders in the Sky”, “Variations on an Amazing Grace”, “Beer Barrel Polka Variations”, “Russian Minka Variations”, and other favorites.

Dr. Middleton is currently employed as Director of Nuclear Medicine and Professor of Radiology, at the Scott & White Clinic/Texas A&M Health Science Center. He has served as President of the American College of Nuclear Physicians and the Southwest Chapter of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Secretary/Treasurer of SNMMI, and other leadership positions. He has also been Secretary of the Scott & White Clinic Healthcare Board of Directors, 2008-present. Dr. Middleton has also been nominated for VP-Elect of the SNMMI.

Dr. Mike Middleton has been entertaining audiences in central Texas for over 3 decades. While in college, he was named Texas State Champion accordionist in 1981 & 1982, and had placed in several national competitions. To help pay for medical school, he was contracted as a repeat solo performer at the famed Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas as well as other venues. In 2001, after 2 decades of not competing, Dr. Middleton won the (one time only) Accordionist and Teachers Guild/Texas Accordion Association’s International Texas Folk Accordionists Competition in San Antonio, Texas.

Mike shares, “I have a passion for the accordion and love teaching audiences about this wonderful instrument. In 2017 I became a Board of Director on the A World of Accordions Museum, in Superior Wisconsin, USA, where I have performed several times.In addition to the accordion, I am a Tubist, and combine accordion and tuba performances periodically where I also sometimes play a Mirafone 189 Kaiser Tuba. Currently, I live in Central Texas with my wife Darla. I have 3 grown children (Meredith, Lance, and Mitch) and one grandson. Historically, they have performed also with me on Harp, Drums, and Bass, respectively. When performances include my children or my great friend, Mr. Clayton Capps on tuba; we have been affectionately called ” Mike and the Middletones “. I perform throughout the year in the Scott & White Clinic for Octoberfest, and other venues. My friends, family, clinic staff, hospital staff, and patients continue to attend my performances.”

Future 2023 Performances Include
May 6, 2023 A World of Accordions Museum, World Accordion Day. Superior WI, USA… A MyronFloren Tribute Concert
May 7, 2023 A World of Accordions Museum, Sunday Polka Service, with Mike & The Middletones & Friends
June 11, 2023 Sun 4-7 pm in San Antonio, TX … Dreams Fulfilled Through Music Concert with Mike & TheMiddletones, Magik Theatre
July 9, 2023 FUMC Belton Polka Sunday
Sept 21,22, 2023 Ft. Worth Oktoberfest
Sept 23, 2023 Missouri City Oktoberfest, Mike & The Middletones
Nov 4,5 2023 and/or Nov 11,12, 2023 WURSTFEST, New Braunfels TX, Mike & The Middletones ( Pending)
Summer or Fall 2023 – Austin Accordion Club – date pending

For further details email: mmiddleton@sw.org