The Official Sympaticocious Website

Bio

We write our own unique material on a wide range of topics, emotions and issues. We celebrate love, mourn losses, reach for the stars and share our hearts and minds. Although we met in 2022, we've been on a long path getting here.

Sympaticocious is Mikel Campbell on bass, bouzouki, harp and vocals, with Ron Pagano on drums and vocals, We have decades of musical experience, hailing from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and New York City!

We love performing our original music. When we perform covers, we work on adding our own style to it, so it sounds different, yet vaguely familiar. We stand in wonder at how lucky we've been to connect with each other and our newest fans.

Our music blends rock, R&B, country, folk, jazz and blues, creating songs that range from soft and intimate (“Saying Your Prayers” , "Hiding Your Light" and “Summer Song"), to the lifechanging issues we all seem to face (“For Ukraine” , "Sleeping On The Eastern Shore Tonight" and “Love Is the Answer”).

Visit our website regularly, along with our FaceBook page and YouTube Channel. Subscribe and receive a notice when new music is released, and for upcoming performances. We will never sell or give away your e-mail!

We hope to see you soon and share our music with you!

Peace

Mikel & Ron

“their music is so varied and speaks to my heart”

— Carol S.

“the music is mesmerizing ”

— Judy B.

“Love, love this song! So glad I can access it now.”

— Gayle A.

“It was a wonderful show!”

— Teresa R.

“What a great band and awesome music!”

— Stewart D.

“I can just see that you all must have a great time playing.”

— Madelyn T. M. C.

Press photos

**Ocean City Art League - July 12, 2025**

**Delmarva Life -** **Mid South Audio Stage** **- May 29, 2025**

**3rd Friday Festival - Salisbury, MD October 4, 2024**

**Maryland Folk Festival, Salisbury, MD September 21, 2025**

New Release!

Available on multiple platforms

Hear our newest release on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and other platforms. New music will be released soon!

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Mikel Campbell

Bass, Bouzouki, Harp, Vocals

Mikel, an Eastern Shore native, began his musical journey by memorizing songs off the car radio. It's been words and music ever since! Primarily a bass player, he's been in bands since Junior High, and writing poetry, lyrics and music almost as long.

While living in New York City, Mikel had the opportunity to record a number of albums of original material. He also worked as a session player and sideman on records, jingles and commercials, as well as writing music for films.

As half of the duo, The Wicomicos, he toured extensively, sharing the stage with such artists as Steve Forbert, Doc Watson, Jonatha Brooke, The Saw Doctors and Ani DeFranco. Over the years, Mikel also maintained a 'Shore' connection by performing with bands, Red Letter Day, Brother Lowdown and others.

Mikel's music is a mix of folk, pop, country and rock, played mostly on bouzouki and tenor guitar, but he loves tearing through a bass riff now and then. He lives near Ocean City and continues to write, record and perform, individually, collaboratively, and of course, with his current musical focus, Sympaticocious.

Ron Pagano

DRUMS, VOCALS

NYC native, Ron Pagano, has loved music of all kinds since growing up with an older brother, who always had the radio playing. Ron learned the words and melodies without even realizing it. When he was in the hospital for a year at 11 years old, it was his 6-transistor radio that kept him sane and connected with the music he loved listening to. After leaving the hospital, he asked his parents for a set of drums and music lessons, and has been playing with bands, on and off, ever since. In high school, he began writing poetry and soon understood that music and words could weave a great story, which could move people in very real ways.

In the early '90's, Ron played with FLIP, a post-punk rock/alternative band, opening up for Hootie & The Blowfish, and playing at venues from Baltimore to DC. After retiring from law and business, Ron has split his time between community service, writing and performing music.

Ron's music preferences are an eclectic range of classic rock, psychedelic, alternative, folk, jazz, country and grunge. So much of his writing comes from his commitment to equality and justice. And, of course, Ron writes alot about love and what it means in his life, and how the Eastern Shore has changed his life. He enjoys creating and performing with Sympaticocious, and knows that strong band relationships like this are rare.

Ron feels that this current musical project is a truly diverse creation, combining music and individuals that don't fit the usual mold...and Ron absolutely LOVES that!

John Wright

Roadie-In-Charge

John recently retired as a UU minister and has always wanted to be in a band. When he heard we were in need of a 'roadie' to help with setup and teardown, he eagerly jumped in to join us on this very strange trip we began over 3 years ago. We are so grateful for John's support and love, and we are incredibly thankful for his willingness to assist. Who knows?? World tour next?

Previous events

MARYLAND FOLK FESTIVAL

Sunday, September 21, 2025 @ 2:30PM — 3:30PMSun, Sep 21, 2025 @ 2:30PM — 3:30PM

Salisbury University/Local Stage, E. Main Street, Salisbury

A free, large-scale 3-day outdoor event, the Maryland Folk Festival celebrates the roots, richness and variety of American culture. It features about 250 of the nation’s finest traditional musicians, dancers, craftspeople and other keepers of culture in performances.

Sympaticocious' music inspires diversity, courage, spirit, love and acceptance, in a world that could use more of each. Whether adding their own accents to a cover or creating originals that blend lyrics and melodies that have been described by one fan as “mesmerizing” and another, as “wonderful harmonies,” they stand in wonder at how lucky they were to connect with each other and their fans.

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