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Here's a little about Michael, some pics and quotes, and a list of reviews and interviews:
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(Printable one-sheet)
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Press Pics (Click on an image for a larger version.) |
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Short biography (Suitable to copy/paste for web, flyers, etc.) |
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Michael Gaither has been a journalist, teacher, even a joke writer for Jay Leno. All roads led to music. His CDs "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" (2006) and its autobiographical follow-up "Dogspeed" (2009) mix folk, Americana, and even a little gospel to tell funny and poignant stories of everyday life. Michael also hosts the "Songs and Stories" podcast (available at michaelgaither.com and on iTunes), which features stories behind his songs and interviews with other independent songwriters.
"Warm, often hilarious americana folk tinged with the occasional country beat...with autobiographical lyrics that teeter on the edge between profundity and sentimental simplicity." (Joshua Farber, coverlaydown.com)
"He sounds like Dylan...if Dylan were born in Texas and raised in Santa Cruz." (Ruby Slippers, KVMR-FM)
"Gaither's sense of humor and keen observation of the human experience preside over his clever Americana originals." (Amanda Martinez, Good Times Santa Cruz)
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Complete biography |
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Like his song "Jack of All Trades" says, California songwriter Michael Gaither has done a bit of everything: journalist, teacher, even a joke writer for Jay Leno. All roads eventually led him to music. And writing.
Michael favors songs with stories and tales of day-to-day life: Big cars. Bad drivers. A baby's first steps. Dogs and horses. His debut CD, the 2006 release "Spotted Mule and Other Tales", is an Americana mix of folk, bluegrass, and a little gospel. "Entertaining an Angel," from that record, was a finalist in the 2007 Indie Artists Alliance "Songwriters and Storytellers" contest. "Good God Man How Big a Car Do You Need?," also from "Spotted Mule...", was featured on NPR's "Car Talk" with "Click 'n' Clack".
"Dogspeed", the 2009 follow up, is another Americana story collection. Most of the songs are autobiographical this time out and cover similar ground. "Dogs" is the animal motif on this record, as conveyed in "Roselle" the true story of a four-legged hero from 9-11. There are also stories of rock concerts past, a nostalgic trip back to his father's career building county roads and state highways, and a bittersweet look at a small farm town overrun with development. The humorous "bad driver, big cars" thread from the first record continues on "Dogspeed" with "Hang It Up", a rant about cell phone abuse.
Besides performing his own material, Michael runs a monthly open mic and songwriter's night at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grill on the central California coast has promoted and played at California festivals including the annual "Vintner's Festival Weekend" at Roudon-Smith Winery and "November-Fest" at Pacific Crest Apiaries (a local honey farm).
Michael also produces and hosts "Songs and Stories", a bi-monthly songwriting podcast which features stories behind his songs and interviews with other songwriters. (He also appreciates hearing other people's stories.) "Songs and Stories" can be heard on his web site at www.michaelgaither.com, in iTunes (it's a free subscription), on Grateful Dread Radio every Friday evening at 7 pm (EST), on KC Cafe Radio every Saturday mornings at 9 am and Sunday afternoon at 4 pm (also EST).
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Contact info |
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Michael is available either as a solo artist or with a full band, depending on the venue and size and requirements. He's also quite fond of in-the-rounds with other songwriters. Contact Michael by email for booking info. |
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Past performance highights |
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House concerts
The Barn (Gilroy, CA), Canyon Acoustic Society (Aromas, CA), The Acoustic Barn (Newcastle, CA), Collette's (Coos Bay, OR)Festivals
American River Music Festival (Columa, CA), November-Fest (Watsonville, CA), Vintner's Festival at Roudon-Smith Winery (Scotts Valley, CA), San Francisco Free Folk Festival (San Francisco, CA), First Friday (Campbell, CA), Festival of Lights (Corralitos, CA)
Other venues
Don Quixote's Music Hall (Felton, CA), Hidden Valley Music (Carmel, CA), E3 Playhouse (Santa Cruz, CA) Post Office Saloon (Redding, CA), Mission City Coffee (Santa Clara, CA), The Clubhouse (San Luis Obispo, CA), Gaslighter Theater (Gilroy, CA), Sarah's Vineyard (Gilroy, CA), East Village (Monterey, CA)
Internet only
Michael Nesmith's VideoRanch 3D (www.videoranch.com), Wild West Radio (wildwestradio.com)
Radio appearances
KPIG (Freedom, CA) KUSP (Santa Cruz, CA), KKUP (Cupertino, CA), KVMR (Nevada City, CA),
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Quotes |
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On Michael |
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"Michael draws the audience into the music through his intelligent, sophisticated lyrics about common everyday subjects to which we can all relate. He sounds like Bob Dylan, if Dylan was born in Texas and moved to Santa Cruz".
(Ruby Slippers, KVMR-FM, Nevada City, CA)
"Michael and his band gave us a priceless night we will never forget."
(Marky Starks, Canyon Acoustic House Concerts )
"We have had the great pleasure of having Michael play at our facility for four years now. Our guests love to sit back, sip wine, and enjoy the music that he and his band put together. They play music with lyrics that are both fun and entertaining for people of all ages."
(Annette Hunt, Roudon-Smith Winery)
"Michael is a writer with a keen eye for detail and a gentle sense of humor."
(Larry Kelly, Maverick Country [UK])
"Gaither's sense of humor and keen observation of the human experience preside over his clever Americana originals."
(Amanda Martinez, Good Times Santa Cruz)
"I have often thought that the hardest songs to write concern everyday life. Michael Gaither is a singing storyteller in the style of Tom T. Hall and Roger Miller with a heaping dash of Lyle Lovett in the mix."
(Uncleshag, The Longtown Sound Podcast and WLSO FM)
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On "Dogspeed" |
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"I have this CD and also "Spotted Mule...". I love the way Michael crafts his lyrics and speaks about everyday stuff that you wouldn't think to make into a song."
(CD Baby customer)
"A great CD talking about everyday life, memories, musings and a poke at those jerks who talk on their cell phones while driving ("Hang it Up"). There is something that everyone can relate to on this CD."
(Phil Peretz, Indie4Life)
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On "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" |
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"A brilliant debut CD from Michael Gaither. A fine blend of folk, bluegrass, alternative country and Americana in its purest sense. Aside from the strong songwriting ability and Slaid Cleaves-style vocals, Michael surrounds himself with very strong and multi-talented musicians.
(Jeff Scammon, Wild West Radio/KVMR FM, Nevada City)
"If you are looking to add some toe tappin’ music to your mule ride or porch sittin’, check out Michael’s CD’s. Shoot, play his songs for your mule. Your mule will thank you!
(Deb Kidwell, Lake Nowhere Mule and Donkey Farm, Martin TN)
"Album of the Week for May 21 2007": Michael Gaither, "Spotted Mule and Other Tales"
(Eddie O'Strange, Town & Country Radio [New Zealand])
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On the "Songs and Stories" podcast |
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"I host a weekly independent music podcast called "The Great American Music Hour" and have played Michael's music on my show before. "Songs and Stories" is a very cool podcast in that it illuminates the songwriting process from the songwriter's point of view. If you are a fan of great American music, you will thoroughly enjoy this show". (Jerry Jodice, host, The Great American Music Hour)
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Interviews and reviews |
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Radio interviews (click on station name to download in MP3 format) |
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KPIG Radio 107.5 FM (Freedom CA) - 2/10 |
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Live set on Sunday morning's "Please Stand By" with "Sleepy" John Sandige. Discussion of our "Stories and Story Songs" collaboration with storyteller Erica Lann-Clark. Includes the songs "Where'd the Time Go?", "Roselle" and a cover of Warren Zevon's "My Ride's Here". |
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KKUP 91.5 FM (Cupertino CA) - 1/10 |
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Interview on "Friday Folk Off" with David Stafford. Includes the songs "Gettin' to My Glory Days", "Highway 17", and "Roselle". |
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KVMR 89.5 FM (Grass Valley CA) - 11/09 |
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Live on "Rockin' and Stompin'" with Wesley Robertson. Includes "After a Good Rain", "Unsuperpokeable (The FaceBook Song)", and "Gettin' to My Glory Days". |
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KSCO 1080 AM (Santa Cruz CA) - 10/09 |
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Live on "Good Morning Monterey Bay with Rosemary Chalmers. Includes "Roselle", "Highway 17", and a cover of Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey". |
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