Mickey Raphael

Ace harmonica player Michael Siegfried "Mickey" Raphael was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Raphael got his first harmonica when he was about fifteen years old and gravitated towards the Dallas folk music scene as a teenager. Mickey was initially a member of singer B.W. Stevenson's band. Starting out in 1973, he become the steady harmonica player for Willie Nelson's group. Among the notable artists Raphael has played harmonica for are Elton John, U2, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Vince Gill, Blue Öyster Cult, Sheryl Crow, Rosanne Cash, Tanya Tucker, and Billy Joe Shaver. Moreover, Mickey released the solo album "Hand to Mouth" in 1987.