Michael V. LaRoche

Title: Bandleader
Company: Sweet Georgia Sound
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States

Mike LaRoche, Bandleader at Sweet Georgia Sound, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in musical entertainment.

Since 1994, Mr. LaRoche has excelled as bandleader of Sweet Georgia Sound, a 20-member ensemble bringing both traditional and contemporary big band music to weddings, fund raisers and civic events, regularly performing at the Annual Riverbend Downtown Chattanooga Music Festival.

Besides his work with Sweet Georgia Sound, Mr. LaRoche prospered with Chattanooga portrait photography firm Olan Mills from 1989 to 2000, an applications designer with CIGNA Healthcare from 2000 to 2007 and a systems analyst with Shaw Industries from 2007 to 2020. For 20 years, he provided superior service as an orchestra director with First Baptist Church IN Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He had earlier served his country with the United States Air Force.

Mr. LaRoche is a member of the American Legion, the Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society, and the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, he was inducted into the Chattanooga Music Hall of Fame in 2016 and is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church.

Passionate about big band music, Mr. LaRoche attributes his success to his dedication, persistence and his ability to form a band, and cites his career highlight touching people through its music. In the coming years, he hopes to continue to put more effort into the band and also hopes to inspire the next generation to become involved in the music industry. He will also be looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.

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