Cranked Up Records proudly announces that Mike “Big Mike” Rios, a distinguished veteran of both the U.S. Armed Forces and the Dallas music scene, has joined the team as a rock talent acquisition specialist. Mike brings over three decades of experience and a legacy as a premier talent buyer, particularly known for his work in Deep Ellum, where he helped shape Dallas’s live music scene. On any given night, you might have seen “Big Mike” at the Galaxy Club, Gas Monkey or the Red Blood Club, later known as RBC, working with some of the biggest names in rock.
Cranked Up Records founder Curtis McKinney emphasized the significance of welcoming Mike, especially on Veterans Day: “Mike’s background as a military veteran makes this announcement all the more meaningful today. We’re not just adding an industry professional; we’re gaining a team member whose dedication, resilience, and passion for rock music sets him apart. This Veterans Day, we honor his military service and are very excited to work together to elevate rock talent on the label. Having Mike on board is a tremendous win for us, his influence on the Dallas scene speaks for itself, and his knack for spotting talent is unmatched. We’re thrilled to have him on our team as we work to amplify the next wave of rock artists with Cranked Up Records.”
Known for his unapologetic personality and hands-on approach, Rios became one of the premier talent buyers and bookers in Dallas. Mike retired in 2022 and closed IRock Entertainment; but even in retirement, he remained connected to the music scene and was quoted saying he would;
“Come back if you piss him off”
“I guess we finally pissed him off! Welcome to Cranked Up Records Mike” - said Curtis McKinney.
For more information on Cranked Up Records, distributed by Virgin Music Group, and updates on the roster, please visit their website.
Comments