Mike Kelly has had a 36-year career at the Omaha World-Herald. It began in 1970, right out of college, when he covered police and then courthouse and city hall. In 1981, he became sports editor and sports columnist. He moved to metro columnist in 1991 and writes four columns a week. He is also a frequent speaker and emcee at local events.

Performing in numerous Omaha Press Club shows, in 2006 he was honored by the press club as the next "Face on the Bar Room Floor". Mike received the "American Society of Newspaper Editors' National Award" for commentary and column writing for articles about his daughter, Bridget. He and his wife, Barb, have four children and six grandchildren.

While recording at Ware House studio, Mike said that he was "honored" to be singing "His Name was Freedom" on this CD.