Born in Orange County, Calif., Mike Mills moved to Macon when he was just over 10-years-old. It was here where he met Bill Berry and began a musical career that would lead him first to Athens and then to R.E.M. Mills’ songwriting credits include some of the bands most respected songs like “Find the River,” “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” and “At My Most Beautiful.” He’s also taken lead vocals on songs like “Texarkana,” “Near Wild Heaven” and “Superman.” R.E.M. will be inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 16 along with Jermaine Dupri, Gregg Allman, Felice Bryant, and Dallas Austin. So, what’s it like to go from Macon, Ga., to one of the biggest bands in the world? We caught up with Mike on vacation from touring and asked him just that.

1.You grew up here in Macon, correct? Tell me about some of your first musical memories here?

MM: Yeah I moved there around seventh grade, so yeah, I pretty much grew up there, and the first thing I remember, musically, was seeing a brick wall spray-painted with something about the Allman Brothers

It’s probably still here.

Yeah, probably is. That’s the first thing I remember

And does your mother still live here?

Nope. I moved out I think in 78,’ and they moved out the year after that.

So, have you been back here?

Yeah, I’ve been back several times. I came back for the opening of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and uh, I come back occasionally with friends, to show them, you know, where I grew up.

2. Can you tell me about your early project with Bill [Berry] here?

MM: Well, it was called Shadowfax, and later we changed the name to The Back Door Band. When we changed guitar players, we also changed the name of the band. David Clark was in the band, who as far as I know is still in Cochran, Ga., and has done some really cool stuff.

Is this the same fellow who tells Uncle Remus stories?

Yep, that’s the one. Our first drummer was a guy named Alan Ingly and he was replace by Johnny Landrum. We played at a place called Moe’s, which was near Westlake Mall. It was an all ages, no alcohol kind of place. We played there a lot, and where ever else we could. High schools, parties, stuff like that.

3. I’ve read several interviews with REM where you guys talk about never really having visions of stardom. Looking back, is it hard to wrap your head around the fact that you became a member of what would become one of the biggest bands in the world?

MM: Well, it all seems really natural, really, in a way because it was so gradual. I’ve been doing it so long. At the same time, you have to realize every day that you are one of the luckiest people in the world.

4. What decisions do you think you’ve made as a band that have kept you so relevant over the years?

MM: Well . . . I don’t know about relevant. I know that the agreement to share the publishing among all the members of the band was a great idea. Being true to yourself enables you to continue and perhaps that sort of honesty breeds longevity, which enables you to be relevant. Probably because you’re doing it for the right reasons, and hopefully people perceive that.

5. You’re being inducted into the GMHF this year. What are your sentiments on that?

MM: It’s certainly an honor. Especially to be going in beside Gregg Allman. I mean to be going into the place where Little Richard already is . . . Otis Redding . . . it’s quite ridiculous really. It’s really heady company.

Any special surprises?

Not at this point, but if there were I couldn’t tell you.

6. How often do you talk with Bill?  And I know you’ve said before that when he left the band, it just didn’t feel the same. How does it feel now?

MM: We probably talk once a week. And we immediately realized it was a different band, and though we kept the name because it was our name – it still represented us. We just knew it was going to be a different band, and it still is today.

7. You’ve been a big part of REM’s songwriting over the years. What are some of your favorite tunes?

MM: Oh golly, there are some that I like for different reasons. Songs I love to play live are ones like “I Believe” or “Life and How to Live It.” They are just fun for me, as a bass player and a singer. As in terms of things we’ve done as a group that I’m proud of, um, you know, I would look at it more as certain albums stand out. Murmur is very special. Automatic For the People is something we’re all pretty proud of. Reveal is something I’m very proud of, actually, that I think is sort of underrated.

8. What about other artists? Who are some that you enjoy the most?

MM: Gosh the list of people I think are great just goes on forever. I just saw Dr. John the other night. I saw Golden Smog recently; they were amazing. Certainly long-term, half of them are in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

9. What do you think is so special about Athens?

MM: I don’t know that Athens is any more special than any other college town. You know, anytime you gather together 20,000 young people, you’re going to have a certain degree of art, and music and creativity. Athens just happened to have people who would nurture that spirit.

10. Who are some artists coming out of Athens you think are important?

MM: Olivia Tremor Control are really great. I haven’t seen the latest crop of bands because I’ve been traveling. I love Iron and Wine, and I’ve always liked Jucifer going back, just because they were so dedicated to what they did.

11. Who is going to be the next Governor of Georgia?

MM: Gosh, I sure hope it’s Mark Taylor. Though I would have probably rather seen Cathy Cox in that position. But anybody but Sonny is great.