Mike Corrigan

Founder, Master Craftsman, and Visionary Behind B.A.C. Music

Born abroad into a military family, Mike Corrigan—known by many as “The Horn Doctor”—spent his formative years in Southern Maryland, where his passions for music, history, and working with his hands began to take shape. An Eagle Scout raised in Charles County, Mike developed an early fascination with musical instruments. By high school, he had already amassed a sizable collection and had begun tinkering, repairing, and restoring horns, laying the foundation for what would become a lifelong pursuit.

Mike’s formal training began at Minnesota State College Southeast Technical in Red Wing, one of the nation’s most respected schools for band instrument repair. While still a student, he landed his first professional gig maintaining brass instruments for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps—while also marching with the group. It was here that Mike’s skills were forged in the high-pressure world of touring musicianship.

After graduation, Mike accepted an apprenticeship under the legendary Steve Shires and his team in Hopedale, Massachusetts. He was gaining invaluable experience until the economic shock that followed the 9/11 attacks led to reduced hours and uncertainty. Rather than step away from the industry he loved, Mike launched a small repair operation within the Hopedale shop—doing business as B.A.C. Horn Doctor—and began building a client base with his exceptional skills and service.

In 2004, Mike relocated to Kansas City and threw himself into building B.A.C. full-time. Starting in his basement, then moving to his garage, and eventually to a proper shop in Olathe, Kansas, he remained committed to preserving and evolving the craft of American instrument-making. In 2007, he completed B.A.C.’s first entirely hand-crafted instrument—a historic Sackbut. Though he had previously built instruments and fabricated components for other brands, this marked the official beginning of B.A.C.’s own line of Custom brass instruments.

That same year, Mike traveled to New Orleans—still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina—to offer free instrument repair to musicians and students. The experience profoundly changed him. It clarified the mission of B.A.C. as something much greater than one craftsman—it was an opportunity to serve and uplift entire communities through music. That trip helped cement B.A.C.’s purpose-driven identity, rooted in community, artistry, and access.

A student of history and a devoted craftsman, Mike has spent much of his life studying and collecting antique and vintage brass instruments. Inspired by early American makers and the craftsmanship of Old World artisans, Mike has built B.A.C. not around himself, but as a tribute to the masters who shaped the industry before him. That’s why the company name doesn’t bear his own—it stands for Best American Craftsmen, honoring those past, present, and future who dedicate themselves to this timeless craft.

Over the years, Mike has served as a consultant for nearly every major company in the industry, while also collaborating with notable boutique makers. His work with artists like Elliot Mason (Jazz at Lincoln Center) and Paul the Trombonist helped elevate B.A.C.’s visibility early on. A pivotal moment came in 2012 when, inspired by his friend Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Mike helped develop a professional line of imported instruments that Troy personally funded and donated to youth in New Orleans. That initiative laid the groundwork for what would become B.A.C.’s Artist Series, Apprentice Series, and 8-2-5 Marching Brass Series—instrument lines designed to make high-quality horns more accessible to musicians everywhere.

From 2006 to 2016, Mike became a fixture on the DCI Drum Corps tour circuit, known nationwide as the traveling Horn Doctor, providing expert on-the-spot repairs to drum corps from coast to coast. But in 2016, he stepped off the road to focus full-time on building B.A.C. into a leading American manufacturer—a new legacy brand dedicated to craftsmanship, integrity, and innovation.

Despite suffering a serious injury in 2014 while crafting a trombone bell—losing a finger from his dominant hand—Mike’s passion and determination never wavered. His resilience and unyielding commitment have helped B.A.C. endure and thrive, keeping the flame of American instrument-making alive for future generations.

Mike Corrigan remains the driving force behind B.A.C., not only as a master craftsman but as a mentor, historian, and advocate for music education, community, and the preservation of a dying art. His work is more than just building instruments—it’s about building something that matters.