About Us

Carol Roark and Mike Cowan started playing Rock and Roll together 20 years ago in this once six-person band.  Carol, a singer-songwriter and keyboard player in the original Six Cents, has added playing drums, guitar, uke and mandolin in order to diversify their sound. Mike, after 35 years behind an electric bass, also started playing and writing with the guitar.

They gradually honed their skills and realized their individual styles were better suited to music that was more lyrically driven.  This Springfield-based duo have grown and expanded to perform with other musical instruments and write their original music and lyrics. Their original songs are inspired by life experiences with family and friends, though other more potent topics had been explored.

After spending two years writing new songs, and rewriting old material, they are now bringing it to the public. Besides their original songs, many familiar cover tunes are featured in their live sets.

Currently, Six Cents plays at local coffee shops, restaurants and festivals, but they are looking to travel around, sharing their music and expanding their “Circle of Friends”. They would love to share their uniquely blended musical genres, sometimes refered to as " Americana " with you.

In the days of the full band they competed in contests and were mentioned or featured in local newspapers and magazines as well as celebrated by radio stations.  Today, Six Cents is emerging as an entertaining, eclectic musical duo.  “We play down to earth music. It’s all about the words”. 

A few year ago wishing to add three part harmony to their show, Carol's sister Nancy joined the band.  Since joining Nancy started to learn to play bass to help complete their sound.  Mike has started using live looping and guitar synthesis to expand their live performance sound