For Mike Viola, opening a show isn’t about a comeback or a milestone; it’s simply part of a long, winding career that has moved seamlessly between songwriting, producing and performing.

Viola is best known as a songwriter and producer who has worked with artists such as Panic! at the Disco and Mandy Moore, as well as for writing original music for films including “That Thing You Do!” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.”

When he takes the stage at La Rosa on Saturday, Jan. 24, to open for Grammy-winning artist Madison Cunningham, Viola brings decades of experience shaped by cult bands, Hollywood soundtracks and a deep commitment to supporting artists he believes in.

The collaboration is rooted in a long-standing professional relationship. Viola has worked with Cunningham since signing her while he was part of the Verve Records label.

“The first person I signed was Madison. It was a no brainer,” Viola told Tucson Spotlight.

Long before that partnership, Viola’s path into music began early. His interest began in Boston, where he grew up listening to what he described as “freaky and cool” songs on AM radio.

“There was always someone dying in the songs,” he said. “The production was super crazy and adventurous.”

This inspired Viola, then 9, to begin writing his own songs and melodies. Another influence on his musical background was his older brother, a fan of Elton John and the Beatles.

“(Goodbye) Yellow Brick Road was my Sgt. Pepper,” he said. “That music seemed really spiritual to me.”

Even with those influences, Viola said it wasn’t until he discovered sheet music for The Eagles: Complete that his understanding of music truly clicked.

Viola started the band Candy Butchers with best friend Todd Foulsham in 1992. The duo played restaurants in the South Shore Boston area, forming a plan after having difficulty finding gigs.

“We would go to Mexican restaurants and sign up for their karaoke nights,” Viola said. “(Todd) would bring a snare (drum) and I’d bring my guitar.”

Instead of singing karaoke songs, the duo played them. The audience was mostly confused, but their scheme resonated with at least one person.

“A comedian (in the audience) said that (we) should open for me at Catch a Rising Star in Cambridge,” he said.

The opportunity led the duo to open for comedians, a path that continued after Viola moved to New York. They went on to play clubs including Fez in New York City, where Candy Butchers built a following and secured a record deal.

That creative freedom came at a cost.

“When you're a young artist, you need full expression and full freedom, and we didn't get that,” Viola said.

After Candy Butchers were “chewed up and spit out,” Viola decided to venture down a different path.

Now, Viola channels his experiences to shepherd up-and-coming artists like Cunningham.

“The business is set up for everybody to put their grubby hands on,” he said. “(Candy Butchers) didn't have somebody like future me to watch over us.”

Despite what he calls the beauty of looking back, or “visitation,” Viola said he is focused on current projects, including a 16-date tour starting Feb. 8, his book “Superkid,” set for release in spring 2026, and an album planned for fall 2026.

During the tour, Viola will mostly play songs from his fall 2024 album Rock of Boston but will include a few new songs.

“Just to kind of feel them out live a little,” Viola said.

Viola’s upcoming book, “Superkid,” is a collection of 50 photos that trace his musical upbringing in Boston’s rock scene.

“It's about a kid becoming an artist,” Viola said. “There will be a little bit of writing that goes along with each photo.”

Actor John C. Reilly, who portrayed Dewey Cox in the film, has also expressed interest in a tour in 2027 to mark the film’s 20th anniversary.

“We have always been talking about doing it. How cool it would be to do a tour with Dewey Cox,” Viola said.

Viola toured with Reilly’s Dewey Cox in 2007 while promoting the movie during a tour called “Cox Across America.”

“It was a great show and by the end of the tour, we were like, we’ve got to repeat this,” Viola recounted.

Viola’s visit to Tucson is part of the second leg of Cunningham’s Ace tour. Tickets can be purchased here.

Patrick Moore is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and an intern with Tucson Spotlight. Contact him at patrickcmoore@arizona.edu.

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