Michael Barry Reid, known professionally as Mike Reid, was born on May 24, 1947, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He is an American country music artist and composer who initially gained recognition for his football career before transitioning into music. After graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a BA in music, Reid began performing as a pianist for various symphony orchestras. His breakthrough in the music industry came when Jerry Jeff Walker recorded "Eastern Avenue River Railway Blues" in 1978, marking Reid's first song to be recorded by another artist. Reid moved to Nashville in 1980 and quickly established himself as an in-demand songwriter, collaborating with artists such as Ronnie Milsap. He co-wrote several hit singles, including "Stranger in My House", which won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1984. Reid's songwriting contributions extended to notable artists like Marie Osmond, Tanya Tucker, Collin Raye, Alabama, and Conway Twitty. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he wrote 12 Number 1 singles, including "Forever's as Far as I'll Go" recorded by Alabama in 1990. Reid also co-wrote Bonnie Raitt's hit "I Can't Make You Love Me", which reached number 18 on the Billboard Pop Charts. In 1990, Reid signed to Columbia Records and released his debut album Turning for Home, featuring the Number 1 country hit "Walk on Faith". His second album, Twilight Town, was released in 1992.