Music reviewer Michael Debbage places “Heading West” at #5 in his top albums in the genre for 2013…
http://www.mainlypiano.com/Mainly_Piano/Michaels_Favorites_2013.html
And it is also in the Audiosyncracy best of 2013, a podcast based upon Jamey Osbournes radio show featuring outstanding independent acoustic new age musicians and their most current work…
https://www.facebook.com/audiosyn
I’m particularly pleased because this album was quite a challenge for me to write and to record. I had to teach myself how to play the piano and double bass parts of the songs, and this was a brilliant experience. So recognition like this is very rewarding. Grateful thanks to Michael and Jamey.
Mike Howe 
Well done Mike and congratulations!
Thanks very much Tim
Congratulations Mike!
It is so beautiful that your work is acknowledged this way. Especially as you had quite an adventure with this album. 😀
Thank you Steffi, I have to admit that it is really nice to be acknowledged, you never know how the critics are going to react, so you decide that you don’t care anyway, but then when they say nice things you are relieved! 😉
Of course! I believe that is part of the creative expression – because, what sense would expression make if it would not lead to some kind of exchange? And the most joyful exchange is one that shares – well, joy! (Brilliant insight, isn’t it?! *lol*)
Great insight as usual from you 🙂
You should be very proud! It has been very cold here and yesterday was one of those days great for staying inside by the fire, listening to some beautiful music. Can you guess what was playing in my house yesterday? Yep, Heading West…fantastic! 🙂
Oh that’s lovely to know thank you LuAnn, I do hope you are surviving the terrible cold ok 🙂
It is certainly not as cold here as in the midwest and northern parts of the US.
That’s wonderful 🙂
Thank you it’s always very nice to be included in such lists 🙂
You can rightly feel very proud of your accomplishments, Mike. Lovely music and deservedly recognized.
Thank you very much Anneli 🙂
Congratulations, Mike! It’s great when hard work and a lot of talent get recognition!
Thanks Terry, I must admit it is very nice and I’m extremely grateful
Excellent! I’m impressed that you taught yourself to play the piano parts! I have tried to teach myself guitar but I don’t ever get very far. I can fumble around on the piano a little bit, though.
Congratulations, Mike, your music is an inspiration.
Thanks so much Karen, keep fumbling on the piano, that’s what I do and eventually nice things start happening 🙂
Wow, congratulations Mike! That’s really great! 🙂
Thank you Elina 🙂
Oh yes! Congratulations!
Thank you Meho 🙂
That’s impressive that you taught yourself to play piano in such a short period of time!
Thanks Sherry, I only learned to play those songs and of course it helped that no virtuoso skills were required, I wrote the music to suit the player 🙂
Well, another congratulations to you, Mike. But of course, I could have just told him you were number one and saved him some time.
Ha! Thank you Emilie you always say such nice things 🙂