photo courtesy of Mollie Hanrahan and WKU
biography
Michael’s professional music career began as a songwriter and guitarist in Nashville, TN. After years of moderate success, he left to pursue other interests. A personal and artistic re-birth eventually led him back to music.
His debut solo CD, Sacred Nation, received the 2003 Native American Music Award for Best Independent Recording. His follow-up, They Come Dancing, was nominated in 2004. The Journey, Michael’s third CD, received a 2006 Indian Summer Music Award, and was nominated for a 2006 Just Plain Folks Award and two 2007 Native American Music Awards.
Mystery, Michael’s next release, covering topics from the environment and politics to the ecstasy and agony of life and relationships, received two 2008 Indian Summer Music Awards, for Best Pop Recording and Best Rock Recording.
Michael's latest recording, Chasing The Wind, was released in February 2010. Read more about it here. It was recently nominated for five 2010 Indian Summer Music Awards.
To date, Michael has performed at over 160 colleges and universities in 28 states, besides numerous libraries, museums, pow-wows, festivals, and fairs across the U.S. and Canada.
Michael's a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. An accomplished musician, writing great songs remains his sole desire and fuels his ambition.
Media
2/03 and 11/03 - Racine (WI) Journal-Times
12/15/03 News From Indian Country
Jan/Feb 2004 – Native Peoples magazine
3/07/05 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel "Takes Five"
5/31/05 Indian Country Today Online article
Jul/Aug 2005 Native Peoples magazine
1/05 Creation Story in
WFYI-TV (PBS/Indianapolis)
production “The
12/06 They Come Dancing in Urbana Conference dvd
1/25/07 DuPage County Herald
7/07 Little One, They Come Dancing, and Tsiquaya in youth alcohol abuse prevention dvd: "Mino Mikana: Our Culture Is Prevention" produced by Marlin Farley/White Bison
3/08 Welcome Home in Indian Summer Music Awards promotional dvd
11/08 News 4 U Evansville
3/09 The End Of the World in suicide prevention video "Through The Pain" produced by My People, International
6/23/09 Parkersburg (WV) News And Sentinel - page 1, 2, 3
9/22/09 Ball State Daily News (Muncie, IN)
Fall 2009 Moundville Archaeological Park and Museum magazine
Awards and recognition
1/94 #1 CHR Single "Be Still" (w/Legend Seven)
2/94 #1 Rock Single "Blind Faith" (w/Legend Seven)
2003 Native American Music Award (NAMMY) for Best Independent Recording: Sacred Nation
2004 NAMMY Nomination for Best Independent Recording: They Come Dancing
2006 Indian Summer Music Award (ISMA) nomination in Pop category: The Journey
2006 ISMA in Spiritual category: The Journey
2006 Just Plain Folks Awards nomination in Native American category for "Tsiquaya"
2007 NAMMY Nominations for Best Male Artist and Best Pop Recording: The Journey
2008 ISMA in Classic Rock category: Mystery
2008 ISMA in Pop category: Mystery
photo courtesy of Mollie Hanrahan and WKU