Send us Fan Mail

He's a tech worker from Minnesota, a Marine Corps veteran, a Camden, South Carolina native, a lifelong Carolina Panthers superfan — and, as of July 4th, 2025, one of the most infectious viral sensations in NFL history. In this episode of Bench to Bold, Marnie and Alisa sit down with Michael Malloy, known to the world as Carolina MiC, the man behind the impossible earworm "If I Had $150,000." Carolina MiC walks through the whole story: karaoke roots, the accidental outfit, the money toss, the second verse that sent everything into orbit, performing at Bank of America Stadium, getting shouted out on The Manningcast by Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, opening for Nelly, taking the stage with EDM duo Cherub — and somehow staying the same "regular dude" through all of it. He also talks about the cause closest to his heart: partnering with Cool Kids Clubhouse, a Charlotte-area nonprofit supporting kids fighting cancer and their families. One of the most genuinely joyful guests the show has ever had.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
00:02:03 — How It All Started
00:03:34 — The Name Behind the Legend
00:06:49 — Musical Roots
00:08:41 — Thank You for Your Service
00:13:26 — Cherub, Raleigh, and His First Green Room EDM duo Cherub started playing his song before their tour sets
00:15:07 — Kevin Hart, Kenan Thompson & The Manningcast Shoutout Kevin Hart gave him a hard time on air
00:15:47 — Cool Kids Clubhouse
00:23:40 — Legacy, Fatherhood & Spreading Positivity
00:24:44 — Bench to Bold — Brick Walls, Self-Talk & Keeping Going

ABOUT CAROLINA MiC:
Carolina MiC is the stage name of Michael Malloy, a 51-year-old Camden, South Carolina native, Marine Corps veteran, and self-described tech nerd currently based in Maple Grove, Minnesota. After serving four years in the Marine Corps Band, Malloy moved to Minneapolis in 1998 chasing a music career — doing karaoke, releasing original music, and building a following one song at a time. His viral breakthrough came in July 2025 when a video of him dancing to a one-verse song called "If I Had $150,000" — filmed in his driveway, in his regular clothes, tossing Monopoly money — exploded on TikTok and Instagram and crossed 3 million views. Since then, he has performed at Bank of America Stadium, appeared on ESPN's Manningcast, been featured on NFL Today with Nate Burleson, performed alongside EDM duo Cherub on their national tour, and opened for Nelly. His latest single, "Maple Sirup," is available on all streaming platforms. Follow Carolina MiC on Instagram at @carolina_mic (Carolina underscore MiC). He is currently partnering with Cool Kids Clubhouse, a nonprofit supporting children fighting cancer and their families, on a campaign to raise $150,000 — a number that means something a little more now.

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold

Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold