Mike Maimone...

honours late husband with heartfelt single, “on my way”

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Mike Maimone is set to release his deeply personal new single, “On My Way”, on March 7. The upbeat, feel-good track serves as the first single from his forthcoming EP, Guess What? I Love You, a poignant tribute to his late husband, renowned PR guru Howard Bragman. While the song’s infectious melody will surely have listeners tapping their feet, its origin story adds layers of heartfelt emotion and profound meaning.

“On My Way” was born during the early days of Maimone and Bragman’s long-distance romance. “We were always hopping planes to see each other,” Maimone recalls. “Just before one trip, I called him with a guitar in hand and sang this little ditty that was running through my head about how excited I was to see him. He didn’t pick up, so I left it as a voicemail. He told me it was fun and catchy and encouraged me to turn it into a full song.”

That simple voicemail would later become a cornerstone of Maimone’s healing process after Bragman’s untimely passing. The couple married, but tragically, the day after their wedding, Bragman passed away in Maimone’s arms. Left grappling with immense grief, Maimone found solace in music, channeling his emotions into Guess What? I Love You, an EP that chronicles their love story and his path through loss and healing.

“Side A is about finding love, and Side B explores loss,” Maimone explains of the EP’s structure. “I knew this album would be difficult for anyone who has experienced the trauma of losing a loved one before their time. But I didn’t want to leave the listener in darkness—I wanted to find a way out.”

While working on the record, Maimone revisited old voicemails from Bragman, using them as emotional touchstones for the EP. One of those recordings was the original “On My Way” message. Though he initially planned to re-record the vocal as it was, the process organically evolved. He expanded the song, adding a second verse, a bridge, and layers of stomps, claps, and snaps to give it a more celebratory feel. “It felt like Howard was nudging me to keep going,” Maimone shares. Energized by this connection, he flew his band back to Nashville to complete the track with a full-band arrangement, transforming the once-simple ditty into a dynamic anthem of love and remembrance.

Maimone’s career has been defined by his storytelling prowess and his ability to turn raw emotion into captivating music. Hailing from Ohio—where he once played high school basketball against LeBron James—Maimone initially followed a traditional path, earning a business degree and working as an accountant. However, his passion for music eventually led him to trade spreadsheets for songwriting. His distinct blend of raspy vocals, emotive piano, and gritty storytelling has drawn comparisons to legends like Randy Newman, Leon Russell, Tom Waits, and Warren Zevon.

Over the years, Maimone’s artistry has taken him across the country, performing alongside icons like Stevie Wonder and touring with bands such as

Blues Traveler and the Plain White T’s. He’s graced stages at major festivals, including Lollapalooza, Riot Fest, and Summer Camp, and his music has been featured in TV shows, films, and even on the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field playlist. Recognized as a Local Artist of the Week by Nashville’s Lightning 100 FM and recently featured in LA Weekly after relocating to Los Angeles, Maimone continues to solidify his place in the American music landscape.

Following Bragman’s passing, Maimone released Borrowed Tunes, Vol. 2: Songs for You, an album of covers that held special meaning for the couple. The project wasn’t just a personal catharsis; it was also a charitable effort. Maimone performed sold-out release shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, donating all proceeds to The Trevor Project, an organization Bragman deeply supported.

Maimone’s creative journey didn’t stop there. In 2024, he unveiled Unfollow, an experimental EP featuring five reimagined versions of the same song, each in a different genre. He also completed his first book, a memoir chronicling his transformative year of love, loss, and reinvention, providing fans with a deeper look into his life beyond the music.

Now, with “On My Way”, Maimone is ready to introduce Guess What? I Love You to the world. “This song went from being a voicemail I had discarded to the lead single on my most emotional and profound album in two decades of music-making,” he reflects. “Howard saw something in it that I didn’t at the time, and now I get to share that with everyone.”

“On My Way” isn’t just a love letter to Bragman; it’s a universal anthem about cherishing connection, embracing joy, and finding hope in the face of loss. As Maimone shares this new chapter of his musical journey, listeners are invited to experience not only his love story but also his resilience and commitment to living life fully—just as Howard would have wanted.

“On My Way” is available on all streaming platforms. Follow Mike Maimone on IG @ mikemaimonemusic

By Paul Hutnick