2019 HIGHLIGHTS...
2019 has been a fantastic year for me, with so many unbelievable opportunities and so many new people and places to meet and visit. Here are some highlights!
NEW ALBUM
Early this year I began recording the new album Missing Person at EssGee Studios in Glasgow with the very talented producer and musician Sam Gallagher.
The final twelve songs that appear on the album are made up of seven brand new songs and five previously recorded songs which I felt hadn’t got a proper hearing and needed a different approach.
The outcome was fantastic and you really can’t tell the difference between the older songs and the new ones, as they all sit so well together on the new album.
NUMBER ONE
One of the singles from this album, Coming Home, sat at number one for six consecutive weeks in the Hotdisc British/Irish Top 10 and I was so pleased about that as I had written the song for all the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces and emergency services.
I have been playing as often as possible over the year and more so as a solo performer which I am really enjoying. This allows me the freedom to play almost anywhere at anytime, so all you promoters, agents and bookers give me a call if you need someone to entertain your audiences!
ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
I was absolutely delighted that my album Cross Country was nominated for album of the year by UK Country Music Radio and I attended the awards ceremony which was a great weekend of music and chat with other great songwriters and performers.
USA TRIP
In September I went back to the USA, travelling to New York, Nashville and Pensacolla where I played a series of gigs and met up with some old friends and made so many new ones.
The Pensacolla Beach Songwriters Festival was the highlight of the trip, playing 5 nights at this great event and surrounded by some of the best songwriters in the world.
The organisers Reneda and Jim Pasquale made me feel so welcome and they are such lovely people.
I have been asked back to play at the festival again in October 2020 and can’t wait to be there. I met so many great people there, but two of them have a special place Michael and Jill Peterson. Michael and I hit it off from day one and he is an outstanding songwriter with 2 Grammys and over 1 million sales. We have started writing together and who knows where this will take us.
His lovely wife Jill has her own story to tell as a recently retired Colonel in the US Army, having served 30 years. We are going to stay with them near Las Vegas in February 2020 and apart from writing new songs, I am sure we will have a great time together.
GIGS
I am planning to play as many gigs, events and festivals as possible over the next few years and across more genres. My songs and music will fit perfectly into Country, Americana, Folk and Roots and I hope that promoters agents and organisers will see the potential of having me on their bill!
So, lots and lots happening and I hope you guys will come along to the gigs and events and spread the word to all your friends and family. If there are any up and coming managers, agents or promoters who “get” what I’m about and what my music is about, then please do get in touch and we can talk more.
DIGITAL OFFER
A reminder that for a limited time you can buy MISSING PERSON (£7.99) + CROSS COUNTRY (£7.99) for just £9.99!!!
For now, have a very peaceful happy Christmas and New Year, keep safe and well and look after each other.
God bless you all
Michael