Michael was born in Burnley, Lancashire 1974 and was brought up listening to his parents' eclectic record collection. He began playing guitar at a very early age and started having lessons at the age of 10 learning classical guitar with a local music teacher. Around the age of 13 he started electric guitar lessons and began playing in the school folk band Pendlekraft. It was here that he got his first taste of performing and decided to form his own band, The Treesurgeons, with members of Pendlekraft and school friends. The group played around Lancashire with a set comprising of their own songs and a mixture of Hendrix, Clapton, Fleetwood Mac and Beatles covers. After gaining an A grade in his GCSE music, Michael decided to study music at A level and moved to Nelson & Colne college. Here, he continued to develop his musical knowledge and began Jazz Guitar lessons under Gary Boyle. He also joined the bands Child In Time and Dr. Strangelove with fellow students and toured in Austria with the college big band.
On completing his A levels, he moved to Salford to study for his degree in Popular Music and Recording. Here he was taught by another great guitar tutor, Mark Lea. He also formed the band Kuda Bux with fellow students comprising of guitar, bass drums, keyboards, vocals and a three piece horn section playing a mixture of rock, funk, reggae, ska and punk. Along with fellow Kuda Bux members Richard Knowles and Bruce Hunnisett, Michael joined the soul band Pick Up The Pieces. Michael played all over the country with both these bands and Kuda Bux received the Best Unsigned Band award at the "In The City" event from the Manchester Evening News. The band split in 2001 to pursue different projects. Shortly after, Michael again joined forces with Bruce to form the Saxophone/Guitar jazz duo Hunnisett and Haworth and released the album 'British Summertime'.
Michael moved to the Rossendale Valley in December 2000 and decided to take up guitar teaching full time in January 2002. At the same time, he began teaching guitar at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. Michael continued to play with local bands and joined the band Superfly. The band gigged regularly around the UK playing a mixture of 60s, 70s and 80s soul funk hits. Michael decided to leave the band in December 2003 to concentrate on his teaching but still plays in local bands and can be regularly found at jam nights. At present, Michael teaches in various schools in East Lancashire and also has around 40 private students.
Michael's varied music tastes and background means he can teach a wide variety of styles including Rock, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Indie, Classical and bass guitar. He has also helped a number of his pupils gain exceptionally good marks for their graded guitar exams. Michael still enjoys learning as well as teaching and is currently studying the Indian Tabla and Sitar as well as the Banjo and Mandolin. He is also currently working on his solo album, 'In The Meantime'.
BURNELEEEEEEEEE BURNELEEEEE BURNLEY BURNELEEEEEEEEE BURNELEEEEEEEE! happy days are here again! For over 30 years the Burnley slaves wandered through the Sinai until the prophet Owen Coyle led them to the promised land. Also just got a Marshall TSL 100 with 1960av cab :). Finally if you have'nt heard of 'spotify' dowload it for lots of free music.
Thanks Madge, I may have to resort to either of those two. Its dire round here. The first gig will probably be just a few songs up the Derbys jam night in Colne, depending on whether the PA is good enough after a soundcheck in the next couple of months.
Madge just got back pissed from the pub. A local painters art show. Do you know any good rehearsal rooms with a GOOD LOUD PA? There is a lack of them round ere. The one I was using just shut. I'm just about do gig but need a couple more rehearsals.
Yo, the demo I sent you is now on my Myspace too so check it out and gimme a comment. It's definately my best. Let me know what you think of the quality too. Hope everything is going okay, I will see you in June now. Ian
Great to see you and your dad at the guitar show last weekend. My friend Sam bought a guitar synthesiser after hearing it demoed. That'll be another one for Ebay then...It is great, but he was supposed to be buying a new guitar..I would have rather he had done that, because his Yamaha SG keeps going out of tune. He already has a guitar with a midi output anyway..I could only admire the vintage electrics I could ill afford. I still have my Burns London, so I can't moan.
It must have been agony for you too..
i can finally do from outta nowhere, yaaaaay, erm i've been checkin phantom of the opera on ultimate guitar but every version is totaly different i was thinkin of gettin a head start on it but i'll leave it to you to pick the best tab, mite as well learn it rite
i was sooo close to goin to lesson today.
i was steppin out the door ready to come down then i relised hes away this week, talk bout rememberin last minute.
hope your enjoying the lakes
Hi Madge just saw you on line. Try adding yourself to Manchester music show on my page. Your stuff is miles better than the acts on their. You may get some airplay!
