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Born and raised in Chicago, Michael began playing guitar at age 11, teaching private music lessons at age 12 and playing professionally in night clubs, at parties and local concerts by the age of 13.
At 14, Michael became an assistant manager and music instructor on Guitar and Bass guitar at Palos Music in the south suburbs of Chicago. There he worked through the music store with most musical touring acts of the middle to late 1970's. These include, Styx, Heart, Journey, Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent, Rick Derringer, The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, Hermon's Hermits, Cab Callaway, George Benson, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and many more. In 1979, Michael was offered the gig as guitarist and vocalist with the popular vocal group, "The Association" (Cherish, Everyone knows its Windy) who had many top 40 hits in the 1960's. Attending College at the time, Michael declined the offer to continue his college music degree. Moving with his Grandparents to Florida in 1980, he then toured with the musical comedy act, "The Allen and Shane show" later, as lead Trumpet, Piano and Bass guitar and vocalist also with The Innisbrook production "Viva Variety USA" in Canada, in conjunction with "The Second City Comedy Tour" at Deerhurst Lodge in central Ontario. Returning home to Florida, Michael continued teaching private music lessons, playing local night clubs, doing commercial jingle and session recording, shows, clinics and concerts. Performing and recording with Della Reese (Touched by an Angel) Louis Bellson (Drummer, Duke Ellington) John Lamb ( Bassist, Duke Ellington) Mike Scagglioni (Gloria Estefon) Dave and Ron Rhinehart (Richard Elliott Band) Michael was the original production manager for the "Rise Up" Christian Country morning show with John Ritter. He has been on staff as guitar Instructor for Jeff Berlin's Players School of Music. Producer and arranger for the award winning Christian music group "Hearts Desire Ps21" Michael, the former Music director at Most Holy Name of Jesus Church in Gulfport for their Family and Adult Choirs, is now Music director at St Luke the Evangelist Church in Palm Harbor. He continues to give private instruction on Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano and Voice from his home studio in Safety Harbor. Michael is proud to be a member of the Tampa Bay Fingerstyle Guitar Guild. He says, "They are a group of the finest guitarists in Florida." |
