Mike Patton has spent most of his working life dealing with money, and investments and has learned how to make other people's financial dreams come true as a money manager and insurance broker.  Now, Mike Patton, former All-American track champion, has a creative dream of his own that he would like to fulfill. 

"I have lived and served in the Rogers Park community for eight years.  As co-founder of Moneyworks Insurance and Investments, former Vice President of DevCorp North and board member of  the Rogers Park Builders Group my community activities have ranged from cleaning the streets to helping organize parades. Now I am exploring my creative talents and looking to simultaneously put them to good use to improve Rogers Park.  I hope to eventually develop a facility in our community that provides kids the opportunity to experience music & video production first hand.

It started with writing one song last May on a retreat with friends and has led to the formation of his new company: Up The Level (a music and video production company) and a partnership with recording artist Ny'Acies Thomas for the launch of Ny'Acies' album Sin & Money.  The long time resident and business owner of Rogers Park, doesn't just want to think "what if". Mike Patton has grounded his dream into a solid business plan and combined it with experienced entertainment business partners.

On May 31, 2003 while at Mike Glasser's house in Michigan I wrote a song out of the blue. I wrote two more that day and twenty in the month of June and ten more since…just the lyrics and melodies.  "Since then I have been exploring my way into the music business. Ever since I was a kid I thought I would at least be semi famous in comedy. I have been hamming it up at parties for years.  But to my surprise, my lyrical abilities and foray into music have come much easier than comedy ever did.

A lot of people seemed to like hearing my songs…and even me singing them!  Because so much in entertainment depends on who you know, I started asking around for entertainment contacts.  The results were amazing.  It just so happened that among my friends, clients and associates were numerous people who knew or knew somebody who knew someone of influence in the entertainment industry. I now have access to a group of professionals who are "in the know" and this has allowed me to progress more quickly than most who attempt to break into the industry."

Mike is in the midst of finalizing investor contracts to raise funds for the launch of Ny'Acies Thomas' album Sin & Money.  Ny'Acies and Mike have partnered to launch this debut album of independent record label Dream Child Music, LLC.  Mike's production company, Up The Level, sponsored music production on several songs to be placed on the album, which have gotten very strong feedback at concerts and in the clubs.  Several major record labels have expressed an interest in signing Ny'Acies as a recording artist and the two have every indication they are on their way!

Mike Patton is going for it. He is taking a leap of faith to make his creative dreams come true. I feel inspired by his process as well as protective of him. In a way, I guess I wish I had the faith to do what he is doing. He has the guts and a passion for creating a creative life for himself. He is taking a "what if" in his life and changing it to a "Yes I can!" Go for it Mike Patton.