MIKE RAYBURN ('86) KNOWN AS THE WORLD'S FUNNIEST GUITAR VIRTUOSO, says that he was "born psyched up for the show." Voted America's Campus Entertainer of the Year three times in four years, Rayburn has carved out a special niche in the entertainment field, combining skills as a classically trained guitarist, comedian and motivational speaker. After performing 4,000 concerts, recording five successful CDs on his own Dry River Records label and biking 4,010 miles in a 78-day cross-country concert tour, Rayburn has reached a career high -- headlining Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall on Jan. 17, 2004.

A classical guitar and music business double major, Rayburn honed his now-famous act in Harrisonburg's bars. "I played for drunks every night and studied classical guitar during the day," he laughs. "Oddly enough it was a very creative time, and the basis for what I do now was born."

Rayburn's show, Classically trained, comically derailed, is a mix of avant-garde guitar pieces and "musical combinations God never intended. Some say it's kind of an updated version of Victor Borge," explains Rayburn. His repertoire includes country versions of Tom Petty and Eminem, parodies of boy bands and "Bob Marley sings Garth Brooks." His act also includes award-winning inspirational speaking. "The ultimate return gig," he says, would be to deliver a JMU commencement address. "I promise some real-world pearls of wisdom -- definitely not a boring 'go forth and realize your destiny' address… I'd have some fun with it."

Rayburn has performed more than 1,300 gigs at colleges in the United States and Canada and uses his music and comedy to challenge and inspire students. His efforts off stage have also earned him acclaim. Since performing at the San Luis, Mexico, Bethel Orphanage, he has sustained a relationship with many of its children. This and other volunteer efforts earned him the prestigious Harry Chapin Award for Contributions to Humanity. Rayburn's 2000 Unstoppable USA bike tour benefited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and earned him features in USA Today, Newsweek, Billboard and Gig. Yet, Rayburn takes the accolades in stride. He recalls an instance when a student asked, "So, when did you give up on the idea of being famous?" After thinking about it for a moment, he replied, "Just now."

www.mikerayburn.com

-- Allison Mall ('04)