Mike Sumner has been playing banjo since he was six. Much of his banjo influence came from his father Joe Sumner. He also appreciates other influences like Mike Snider, Bela Fleck, Scott Vestal, Allison Brown, and Sammy Shelor. In 2001 he won Merlefest, Rockygrass and the Winfield National Banjo Championship. He repeated the National Banjo Championship win again in 2007. Mike plays a Stealth banjo and a Sumner Goldenbell model banjo. He started touring nationally in 2007 and has played with Randy Kohrs, Jim Lauderdale, Detour, Rebecca Frazier and Hit and Run, Rebekah Long, Billy Droze as well as Dale Ann Bradley.
Whether in the studio adding banjo to a project or on stage performing live, he strives to play clean, creative yet tasty banjo that enhances the overall sound.