Current line up Sam Hubbell (lead guitar/lap steel) Adam Gardner (bass) Derek Feiza (drums) Michael Heaton (vocals/acoustic guitar)
Influences
Positive influences and role models - Tragically Hip, Kim Richey, John Hiatt, Aimee Mann, Kathleen Edwards, Kurt Vonnegut, Studs Terkel, Emory Joseph (One of the greatest songwriters you have never heard of. He just got a song on Bonnie Raitt's new disc!) Peter Case, the Del Lords, Lucinda Williams, Paul Thorn, The Bottle Rockets, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Robert Lee Castleman, Todd Snider, John Prine, Drive By Truckers, Tom Petty , Uncle Tupelo, James McMurtry, Paul Westerberg, The Who, Say ZuZu, The Band (The greatest American band ever from Canada!) Rick Danko, Robbie Fulks, Ryan Adams, Kelly Clarkson (Ok she's marginal at best as a role model and I never listen to her but she's cute.) , The JayHawks, The Stems, Gillian Welch, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Chuck Prophet, Willie Nelson, Randy Newman, Jackson Browne, Lefty Frizzell, Paula Cole, Newgrass Revival, Richard Thompson, Sarah Harmer, ELO, Keith Urban, Dell Reeves, Buck Owens, Guy Clark, Neil Young, The Damned, The Saints, The Records, Elvis Costello, Flying Burrito Brothers, Commander Cody, The Derailers, BR549, Freddie Fender, Jeff Tweedy, Doug Sahm, Jerry Jania and Mrs. Shell my 3rd grade teacher. Oh and just about 90 percent of the folks I've heard on Mountain Stage. More to come when I feel like writing.
Sounds Like
The music sounds like your head hitting the pillow when you go to bed. Very comforting and familiar. It always has a cool side and once you get used to it you wouldn't give it up for nothing.
Call him rock, call him pop, or call him country - Michael Heaton's music is steeped in the rock songwriter traditions of Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and John Hiatt. Based in the Chicagoland area, Michael Heaton is a musician with a talent for creating heartfelt lyrics and melodies about life, love, work and burning houses. "I try to write songs that everyone relates to," says Heaton. "I like my songs to tell a story, and maybe people can see themselves in these songs." Writing music that connects with his audience is a talent Heaton didn't initially know he had.
Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Heaton just wanted to play guitar, but somehow as a youth listening to artists such as The Who, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Willie Nelson, he got the impression the guitar player in the band was always the one wrote the music. Heaton says, "I figured if I was going to be in a band I was going to have to write some songs." Within a month of learning his first guitar chord, Heaton penned his first song. From that point on, he was hooked. As a guitarist, singer and songwriter, Heaton is an in demand musician. In the span of about thirteen years, he has performed with a multitude of bands including his self-formed bands The X-Tras and Cut. He also toured with Chicago's favorite Irish band The Drovers as a member of their road crew and as a part time opening act. Although music has always been a passion, Heaton reminisces about former jobs. "From diaper delivery person to making false teeth to performing singing telegrams, I guess I've done a little bit of everything." It's his previous life of "doing a little bit of everything" which makes Heaton's music and lyrics so accessible. With a knack for using a unique combination of musical styles to create tunes that are catchy and light-hearted, Heaton delivers an astounding and compelling experience both live and on CD.
On stage Heaton exudes charisma, charm and unstoppable energy. Leading from one song to the next, he entertains the audience with great music, danceable rhythms, surprise kazoos and an amazing speed for replacing broken guitar strings. It's no wonder he's a favorite at clubs around Chicago. Over the past three years Michael and his band have consistently performed over 200 shows a year. His recordings LEARNING CURVE and OUR LITTLE SECRET (Artichoke Records) are albums that will quickly become staples in any music lover's collection. "I want to create discs that listeners can grab onto from the first listen, but then find something new with each successive listen," says Heaton. With subtle nuances, Heaton's music fills a Midwestern pop-rock-country niche that practically begs you to sing and dance along. It's catching on too. To date he has sold over 10,000 copies of his three titles from the stage alone. Recording OUR LITTLE SECRET at Moraine Studios and Musique Mediterranee in Nashville, Tennessee, Heaton had the pleasure of recording with some of Nashville's finest talents. Backing Heaton were great musicians like drummer Eddie Bayers (credited on over 150 Gold and Platinum releases), mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush, bass master Dave Pomeroy (James McMurtry, Mose Allison, Elton John), keyboardist Steve Conn (Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Loggins, Sonny Landreth) and keyboardist Tim Lauer (Radney Foster, Dolly Parton, Wynnona Judd).
OUR LITTLE SECRET was co-produced by guitarist/producer Pat Bergeson (Lyle Lovett, Chet Atkins, Allison Kraus) and award-winning producer/engineer Jim McKell (Kenny Rogers, The Judds). Not only has Heaton played with some of the finest musicians, he's also found himself opening for such talents as Grammy Award winners Shelby Lynne and Brave Combo, Sugar Blue, Cheap Trick, Heart, Robbie Fulks, Greg Trooper, Sleepy LaBeef, Duke Robillard and folk music darling Claire Holley. Whether he's playing at a local club or touring with his band throughout the Midwest, Heaton is gathering fans one by one.
Taken as a whole, this multi-faceted album is the work of a mature artist at the peak of his powers, meditating about life with insight and wit. Fans of literate Americana with a rock-and-roll heart will find "Our Little Secret" to be a rewarding journey...and if they file their CDs in alphabetical order by artist, will find that "Heaton" very appropriately slots next to "Hiatt."
Dan Reich - Online review www.carmendiode.com
Remember the days when Counting Crows was the new buzz, rockin' beer lovin' campuses all over the country? This rootsy rock album could very well be that kind of beginning with his distinctively flammable knack for an original yet well-endowed blend of Tom Petty,Wilco, early Counting Crows and modern day good times rock.--
Tamara Turner - CDbaby.com Reviewer
There are a lot of sweet things that typify Michael Heatons songwriting , but the point is that its the attention to little details that make his music refreshing.
Richard Milne - Host of Local Anesthetic - WXRT Radio Chicago
A collection of well crafted vignettes.The lyrics are intelligent and the music is pure heartland in the best sense of the word.
Paul Barile -Associate Editor - Liberty Press
Garageband.com Awards
As of January 1st 2006:
Michael Heaton has 4 songs from the CD "Our Little Secret" in the Top 100 of All Time (out of nearly 70,000 songs).
Two of those songs "Souvenirs" and "The Good Times" have reached ..1 on the Folk/Country charts.
Listener Awards for For "The Good Times' from Michael's CD "Our Little Secret"
Track of the Day on 4Apr2004 in Folk/Country
Track of the Day on 13Nov2004 in Folk
Track Of The Week on 11Oct2004 in Folk/Country
Track Of The Week on 22Nov2004 in Folk
..15 Best Male Vocals in Folk, all-time
..15 Best Guitars in Folk, all-time
..16 Best Drums in Folk, all-time
..19 Best Lyrics overall, all-time
..3 Best Lyrics in Folk, all-time
..10 Best Melody in Folk, all-time
..10 Best Beat in Folk, all-time
..1 Feel Good Track in Folk, all-time
..16 Grooviest Rhythm in Folk, all-time
Best Male Vocals in Folk/Country, week of 29Mar2004
Best Male Vocals in Folk/Country, week of 30Mar2004
Best Male Vocals in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Male Vocals in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Male Vocals in Folk, week of 28Mar2005
Best Guitars in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Guitars in Folk, week of 20Dec2004
Best Guitars in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Guitars in Folk, week of 27Jun2005
Best Drums in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Drums in Folk, week of 20Dec2004
Best Drums in Folk, week of 27Dec2004
Best Drums in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Drums in Folk, week of 27Jun2005
Best Bass in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Bass in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Programming in Folk/Country, week of 4Oct2004
Best Lyrics in Folk/Country, week of 29Mar2004
Best Lyrics in Folk/Country, week of 30Mar2004
Best Lyrics in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Lyrics in Folk, week of 20Dec2004
Best Lyrics in Folk, week of 27Dec2004
Best Lyrics in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Lyrics in Folk, week of 27Jun2005
Best Melody in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Melody in Folk, week of 27Jun2005
Best Beat in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Beat in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Best Mood in Folk/Country, week of 29Mar2004
Best Mood in Folk/Country, week of 30Mar2004
Best Mood in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Most Original in Folk/Country, week of 30Mar2004
Most Original in Folk, week of 27Dec2004
Most Original in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Feel Good Track in Folk/Country, week of 19Apr2004
Feel Good Track in Folk/Country, week of 11Oct2004
Feel Good Track in Folk, week of 20Dec2004
Feel Good Track in Folk, week of 27Dec2004
Feel Good Track in Folk, week of 3Jan2005
Rocking Track in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Rocking Track in Folk, week of 20Dec2004
Grooviest Rhythm in Folk, week of 10Jan2005
Best Dance Track in Folk/Country, week of 11Oct2004
Chill-Out Track in Folk/Country, week of 26Apr2004
Best Elevator Song in Folk/Country, week of 5Apr2004
Listener awards for Michael Heaton's Song "The Good Times"
- www.garageband.com (Nov 1, 2005)
Yo Michael Heaton, Whenever I listen to your music. I feel like singing too. But your talent is unmatched. How much time you spend to rehearse per day Michael Heaton? Love ya. B PS:Follow Me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/iaent
Calling All MHB Members & Friends , Come see your Fave Soundman perform Solo Acoustic 10-29 @ 3160 N Clark St Chi. 8PM , Peckenpaugh B-Day Party,Open to all (No Cover )
Hey Michael, I've got a radio show for a few weeks - so, please tune into the Paul Hughes Show (filling in for Gordon Hotchkiss) on Celtic Music Radio this Wednesday between 7pm – 9pm UK time. As well a Scottish, Irish and American folk/roots music I’ll be chatting with Paddy Callaghan about being selected for the finals of the BBC Young Trad Musician of the Year and hear him playing the harp and box. Celtic Music Radio is available in and around Glasgow on 1530 AM (MW) and you can listen anywhere else in the world on the internet at www.celticmusicradio.net and click on “Listen Live” in the top right of the screen. Thanks for reading down this far.
Guitars For Vets provides 6 free lessons and a new acoustic guitar to traumatized Military Veterans at VA medical centers. Your support is appreciated
Donated guitars are either presented to the Vets or sold in order to raise funds for the program. Donated guitars that are unrepairable are turned into "Art Guitars" by artists and sold at G4V events. Your gift will make a difference as it supports the mission to heal our Veterans.
Monetary contributions and instrument donations are tax deductible. Authentic G4V apparel may be purchased at our online store
Also by simply using www.goodsearch.com & www.goodshop.com and verifying the charity, G4V receives a donation.
My debut single ROLLIN' IN THE HEY just broke into the top 75 on the Music Row Breakout Chart WITH A BULLET!!!. Also I was just featured in the "Listen Up" section of COUNTRY WEEKLY!!! Visit my page and click on the Country Weekly free download button to get your copy of the debut single.
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If you need help or want more information please call Troy at
www.loopapparel.com/store/category/women www.loopapparel.com/store/category/men NEW TSHIRTS WENT LIVE ! Check them out if you have a sec. I hope you dig em'... let me know. Thanks for all the support!! Dave www.davetamkin.com www.twitter.com/davetamkin www.facebook.com/davetamkin
Thank you for your friendship. My debut single ROLLIN' IN THE HEY is currently #84 on the Music Row Breakout Chart and is poised to break into the top 75. Request it at your local radio station today. Also the CD is finally available. Visit my page to hear samples and buy it now! Also I value your opinion about what you think my next single should be so please drop me a line.
ITS OUT!!!!!!!!! my debut album "My Life on the Radio" hit stores yesterday! you can get it digitally on iTunes or order the actual cd on CDbaby.com heres the link:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/joseygreenwell
Get your copy today!....you'll have to for sure let me know what you think ok?
