Imagine your child is getting married. Everything is all set: the church, the guests, the reception, the music. But wait! The sound system and electricity is not working! Who comes to the rescue? Accordion playing dad! Dr. Mike Middleton performed for the wedding of his youngest son, Mitch Middleton and Brooklyn Baker Middleton in February 2022. According to Mike, “I was scheduled to only do the Processional music but the sound system and electricity didn’t work; so I did other music including the recessional on the cuff at short notice. It shows the value of the accordion as a stand alone instrument. I played “Pachelbel’s Canon in D” for the wedding processional at the request of the bride and transitioned into “I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You”.

Dr. Mike Middleton is an 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.”

Congratulations to newlyweds Brooklyn Baker Middleton and Mitch Middleton and parents David and Laura Baker and Mike and Darla Middleton.

Mike’s family and friends will always remember his son’s amazing wedding and how Mike’s accordion saved the day!