As an artist and a storyteller, Michael On Fire has traveled the roads of America and the path of his soul, shaping his journey of discovery in song and story...
Michael on Fire
"Michael on Fire is neither old nor young, but both - with the wisdom of age and the exuberance of youth". -The Freeport (Ill.) Journal Standard
"Michael on Fire delivers an impressive, highly-melodic blend of country, folk and rock. The songs are memorable, and the musicianship extremely good." - RELIX Magazine
"The music is unmistakably passionate, wedding Michael's penchant for dust 'n' bones guitar arrangements with his classically-trained musical sensibilities. The result is a sound that is primal, raw and powerful. When I caught his live show last Sunday, his words seemed like gospel. He is an electrifying performer." - The (East Lansing) State News
"When an album is released containing no weak tracks and each cut outshines its predecessor, it quickly earns recognition as a classic. Keepers of the Flame is surely a classic." - The Promised Land (Grand Junction, CO)
"If you lock Edie Vedder, Eric Clapton and Robert Cray in a room and let them jam their hearts out and bottle that emotion you'd have some of the soul that Michael on Fire puts into each song." - The Des Moines Register
".... in the tradition of our beloved folk poets and contemporary balladeers."
-The (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star
"Michael on Fire is unabashedly all about "the people." His songs, his actions, his attitude - they all reflect life's experiences and the people who have them". - On Stage (Denver & Ft. Collins)
"This was one of those difficult to review shows, not because there were no highlights but because every song was a highlight." - The Kalamazoo Gazette
“Michael On Fire weaves his considerable talents as a songwriter, vocalist, guitar player/multi-instrumentalist and producer into an aural tapestry that brings favorable comparisons to J.J Cale, Dire Straits, and Van Morrison.”
- Norman Hunter Board Of Trustees, Association for Independent Music
Songs about spiritual advancement, and the evolution of the individual on the human level. Trusting in the intellect more than most artists do, Michael on Fire has attracted a loyal following who feel a deep personal coneection to him.
-The Promised Land (Grand Junction, CO.)
"Michael shares the rarified air of artists who can truly effect, and affect,emotional well-being through their art. The perfect confluence of loving message and captivating music".
- Country Music Greats Radio Hour www.rockgreats.com
"As the music industry dictates who and what is valid, the lifers, like Michael On Fire, keep finding new ways and new stages by which to express themselves".
-The Herald-Palladium [St. Joseph, MI]
The live CD, Commanche Moon, which critics called a “folkish, bluesy, country, tribal, gypsy rock and roll,” followed and was named one of the Top 10 records of the year in an L.A. Times critic’s poll. Following the release of that record, Michael on Fire began a period of intense roadwork
“One of the Top 10 CDs of the Year!”
Ventura County Reporter
“When an album is released containing no weak tracks and each cut outshines its predecessor it quickly earns recognition as a classic. Keepers of the Flame is surely a classic.”
The Promised Land [Grand Junction CO]
Along the way, Michael has also created an extensive body of music for film, stage and television, and for the past 12 years his original instrumental holiday music has been the most played music during the holiday season on The Weather Channel.
On his newest CD, the artist, the dreamer, the lover, the fool, Michael successfully fuses the elements cherished and appreciated by his fervent following of friends and fans – soulful singing, penetrating lyrics, mysticism, storytelling, passionate delivery and outstanding musicianship – presented in a coherent and highly listenable artistic journey that makes apparent the soul – of the artist, the dreamer, the lover, the fool.
In Jan. 2010, The Ventura County Star (Ventura, CA) named his performance from Oct. 2009 as one of the Top Five Concerts of the Year (others named included: Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Paul Thorn and Steve Poltz.)
A SAMPELING OF PLACES HE HAS PLAYED
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park (OH)
The Concert Of Colors (Detroit MI)
The Detroit International Jazz Festival
The Detroit Music Awards
The Ark (Ann Arbor MI)
The Boulder Theater (Boulder CO)
The Paramount Theater (Denver CO)
The Michigan Theater (Ann Arbor MI)
The State Theater (Kalamazoo MI)
The Birmingham Theater (Birmingham MI)
The Ventura Theater (Ventura CA)
The Stone (San Fransisco CA)
The Cabaret Metro (Chicago IL)
The Bluebird Cafe (Nashville TN)
Canal Street Tavern (Dayton OH)
The Beat Kitchen (Chicago IL)
The Slippery Noodle (Indianapolis IN)
Sweetwater (Mill Valley CA)
The Mint (LA CA)
The Strand (Redondo Beach CA)
The Back Room (Seatle WA)
The Zephyr (Salt Lake City UT)
Club West (Santa Fe NM)
The Kachina Lodge (Taos NM)
The Lighthouse (Hermosa Beach CA)
Steamboat (Austin TX)
Herman's Hideaway (Denver CO)
Club Lingerie (Hollywood CA)
The Mangy Moose (Jackson Hole WY)
Liberty Lunch (Austin TX)
Sully's (Detroit MI)
The Toledo Sports Arena (Toledo OH)
Masonic Auditorium (Detroit MI)
Sweet Pea Festival (Bozeman MT)
Spring Fling (East Lansing MI)
Rockin'The Tetons (Alta WY)
Ann Arbor Art Fair (Ann Arbor MI)
Hill Auditorium (Ann Arbor MI)
Mill Avenue Fair (Tempe AZ)
McDowell Mountain Music Festival (Scottsdale AZ)
Park City Winterfest (Park City UT)
UCLA (Westwood CA)
Gigs in every State of the Continental USA......