'Kokomo Honey' sweetens Delphi's first Mardi Gras

He is a bona fide Kokomo personality. I quickly realized just how revered and respected Blues guitarist Mike Milligan is as a musician and visual artist when customers at the door of Kokomo Alehouse swarmed him for a photo and autograph as we entered for our interview.

“What do you call it, local celebrity or hometown famous?” he asked rhetorically. “It’s mostly from just working my butt off for a long time, and this is where I live. People get to know who you are if you make enough waves. As many fans as somebody has, there are also the quiet haters.”

The 50-year-old Milligan has spearheaded Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel Blues band for 30 years. He is also an accomplished image artist who does paintings and sculptures.

“I have been doing a lot of portraits for people,” he disclosed. “Someone will commission me to do a portrait of a family member or a famous musician. I will get to know them as I am painting their portraits. It is weird and interesting because sometimes it is like the person appears.”