Mike Surratt

Mike Surratt, 70, passed away peacefully at his home on July 5, 2025.

Mike was a full-time musician, with a career spanning 55 years as an accordionist, keyboardist, vocalist, and composer. Frequently called both an innovator and virtuoso on the accordion by his colleagues, he was far too humble to accept such lavish praise.

His driving passion was music, and he was determined to share the beauty and versatility of a well-played accordion with audiences around the globe.

When not performing as a soloist, Mike led his two bands: The Continentals of Washington, D.C., and The Eclectic Coalition Band. He performed in 19 states at innumerable festivals, dances, and concerts, on radio and TV, and at venues including the Smithsonian American History Museum, and both the German and Austrian embassies. He said one of his proudest performances was bringing the accordion and polka music to the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Internationally, he performed in Austria and on nine cruises to far away destinations.

During his career, he released 24 albums / CDs, and received airplay on more than 400 radio stations around the world. Mike recorded and produced his own original compositions across various genres, in which the accordion took center stage. He established his own record company, Eclectic Coalition Records, was a voting member of the Recording Academy, and received numerous awards at the local and national level for his recordings.

His fascination with the accordion began before he was born - when his mother emigrated to the U.S. from Germany following WWII. He said she always wanted someone in the family to learn to play the accordion, and he ended up being “the lucky one.” He began taking lessons at the age of 11; got his first booking at the age of 14; then started his own band at 17.

Mike said, “I truly believe that the accordion is the world's musical instrument and should have been sent up with the Voyager Spacecraft.”

He was deeply rooted in his German heritage, and spent decades promoting the music and culture. In 1994, he was honored with the prestigious German American Friendship Award, presented by the German ambassador.

Mike was fiercely protective of his private life and family. He was an adoring husband to his devoted wife, Lisa, and proud father of his son, Philip. He loved Maryland crabs and Mountain Dew, and doted on his rescued cats and Collies. In his limited free time, he enjoyed the beach and gardening—especially when cooking the peppers he grew. He was an avid pool player, where he was affectionately known as “Hippie” by his teammates.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and daughter, Nicholle. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by his sister, grandchildren, niece and nephews, and former band members, friends, and fans around the world.

The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite feral cat rescue or to Collie Rescue of the Carolinas.