Michael Baytop was born in Washington, DC in 1948, where he lived most of his life. His introduction to playing music came from his father, who gave him his first harmonica. Later in life, he became truly interested in playing the blues he heard as he was growing up. Mike's harmonica sound is influenced by Charlie Sayles, Phil Wiggins and James Cotton. His guitar playing is influenced by Mississippi John Hurt, Larry Johnson, Jerry Ricks and by Archie Edwards, under whom he studied for many years.

As a performer, Mike has recorded on Michael Roach's CDs "Ain't Got No Home" (1994) and "Blinds of Life" (1996). They performed at the first Bluebird Festival at Prince George's College in 1994. They also performed at the 11th annual DC Mayor's Arts Awards in 1995. Mike toured England with Michael Roach in 1996. in 1998 he played the role of the Bluesman in the play "I Am A Man." He also accompanies poet Theresa Davis on the harmonica during her poetry readings.

Mike performed with Archie Edwards, his mentor, in the later years of Mr. Edwards' life, on both harmonica and guitar. Mike and Archie played at the Smithsonian Institute's 150th birthday celebration. In 1997 they played the 90th anniversary of the Niagara Group at Harper's Ferry, WV. Also in 1997, they played at the Rocky Gap Festival in Cumberland, MD, along with Richard "Mr. Bones" Thomas.

In 1998, Mike performed at the Bull Durham Blues Festival. He also has performed at the Blues in the Burg Festival in Frederiksburg, VA, the 2002 DC Blues Society Festival, the Smithsonian National Folklife Festival, and the 2001Folk Festival at Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA.  Mike has taught the bones and blues repertoire at Common Ground on the Hill in 2004-5.

Mike performed in Romney for the Hampshire County Arts Council's Summer Concert on the Lawn at The Potomac Center in July 2003 with Barrelhouse Bonni and Jay Summerour.