- NO MEMBERS - Currently Recording for 2007
FOR BOOKING INFO CONTACT:
http://www.michaelwestmusic.com
BeatleBrook Music Publishing Inc., ASCAP
Phone: 615-308-5401
E-mail: MichaelWesttn@aol.com
Influences
Indigo Girls, Karen Carpenter, Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, Marc Broussard, Monte Montgomery, Dolly Parton, The Cure, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Nickel Creek, David Vincent Williams, Gary Burr, Garth Brooks, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, India Arie, Simply Red, Alanis Morissette, Alison Krauss, PINK, Annie Lennox, The B-52s, The Beatles, Bjork, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Cure, The Eagles, Howard Jones, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Gillian Welch, Joan Osborne, Joni Mitchell, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Patty Griffin, Ray Charles, Simon & Garfunkel, Dinah Washington, Karen Carpenter, Robert Bailey
and last but not least Wynonna Judd
Michael West a child of the Rocky Mountains, was born and raised in a sleepy little country suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah, that according to Michael, "was a great place to grow up, It's a town where there are more big trucks, Wranglers, cowboy hats and belt buckles than you have ever seen," adds West. "It's a family town, and it's part of the reason I developed my love for country music at such a young age."
Michael West discovered his love and interest in music early on, and much of that love came from time spent in with his mother listening to old records. "She has always loved all types of music. She had piles of records, a very diverse collection, everything from R&B to old Opry albums, she had it all. I fell very deep into that pile; I would totally immerse myself in the music. I would just sit for hours with artist like Merle Haggard, Pasty Cline, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John: singing along with them into the speakers and studying the lyrics sheets. Every artist I listened to and sang along with became in a way vocal heros, and all their styles became part of me and my voice."
When he was 12, Michael went to a Judd's concert and from that day on a need to perform began staking its claim deep in his soul. He wanted to sing, but not into a speaker anymore. All he wanted was to be up there on stage in the lights. "It was all I thought about, I would sit in class and underneath my homework I'd be lifting up the paper trying to turn my early poetry into a song. I never wanted to be like anybody else." Later Michael began singing in school musicals and places like retirement homes and county fairs. "It was really cool to perform at that age and have folks tell me you're going to make it someday kid, everyone was always shocked by the maturity of my voice."
Michael wrote his first song at age 15 and always seemed to have a gift for putting the right words together with heart. Michael had silently amassed a small song catalog over the years and thought it was about time that he used his vocal talent and record one of them. However he had no place to start. Then he met, now good friend, Bryant Keith, while living in South Florida. Bryant being a multi-talented musician and writer from New York became the catalyst for the next few years. They began to write feverishly and formed a duo named Keith & West. The duo was backed by a seasoned and talented seven-piece band. They paid the typical musician dues in local clubs and also took home awards from The Florida County Music Association; such as "Entertainers of the Year" and the "Best Country Duo Award."
Then in 2001 Keith & West decided to record a debut album of original material titled "a Long Stretch of Highway" which was recorded and released independently right before Michael decided to make that faithful pilgrimage to Nashville, TN. During his first two years living the singer/songwriter life in Music City USA, he was commissioned to co-write a song titled "My Love Will Reach You" for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Annual charity event, which was held at RCA Records. He co-wrote the song with Grammy & Emmy winning producer Joe Hogue. He has also obtained three single song contracts on songs co-written with Bryant Keith. Two with Van Watkins Music LLC, and one with The Sundance Channel, which is part of a four-part series called "Keeping Time: New Music From America's Roots."
With strong vocal performances, diverse songwriting ability, and universal appeal easily identify Michael West as a serious talent. His high-octane style uses no formula at all. Instead he offers a blend of abilities, styles and enthusiasms uniquely adapted to himself, on stage. He is an artist who creates a unique musical blend of melodic pop with a rich mixture of classic blues, rock and roll, and soul. Michael West is currently living in Nashville, TN and he is working on his new release titled "CHOICE" which will be released in 2007 on Woobie Bear Music.
"The last five years in Nashville have not changed me, and now more than ever, I feel a real responsibility to connect with a new audience," says West. "I don't want the biz and politics of music to tarnish my love for music, nor do I want to be just another record-maker or radio-hit writer. I want to write and make music that strikes people on an emotional gut level and that reaches my peers and community. I also want to be true to my voice, Country music was part of that, but now is the right time to leave Nashvegas."
I'm back at the office (flights were very turbulent yesterday, I felt like an extra in the Airport movies). Wasn't our jam on Saturday night amazing? Namoli blew me away and your voice is as strong as I've ever heard it Michael. I was so proud of Fred and Tommy too. They both are sounding so professional and vital as are you. You can't feel winded, you have to keep going. You're already successful Michael and the rest of the world will catch up, please keep believing that, because it will happen. You need to have an album and a video done as soon as financially possible. I feel more driven to keep going musically as well and I'm going to do the same. I know I'm writing some of the best material I ever have but sometimes I feel so alone in the effort to get heard but when we're together I feel like we can bloody well do anything. Love you brother, but you know that. Hugs to DJ.
Hey Michael, good to meet you in Nashville at the Galactic Expo show, thanks for adding The Gypsy Nomads, let's keep in touch about the possible art project. Cheers...
Hey! Doing great here too thanks! It's a rainy night so just relaxing at home, with a beer and listening to some of my favorite music. I really enjoy this kind of moments.
What have you been up to? Thanks a lot for feedback Michael, I really appreciate that.
Thanks so much Michael, I feel very glad to read those words coming from an artist like you...it's great that you've enjoyed. Who knows, we might share stage one day ;-)
SOUNDTRACK SOON ON PERSEVERANCE
Edwin Wendler – The Interior
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HUGS.
HEy Michael,
Hope Your Birthday is Great!
Hugs,
Jack/theSoundWeaver
"Musical Art Pieces To Rejuvenate Your Soul"
Happy Birthday, Michael!! Wishing you the best birthday ever!! Love you
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope all your cake candle wishes come true!!
Happy Birthday!
Feliz Cumpleaños!
Joyeux Anniversaire!
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
Yom Huledet Same'ach!
Sun Yat Fai Lok!
Buon Compleanno!
Happy Birthday tomorrow!!!!!!!
..thanks..welcome::
Thanks for being a friend.
Edward
I'm back at the office (flights were very turbulent yesterday, I felt like an extra in the Airport movies). Wasn't our jam on Saturday night amazing? Namoli blew me away and your voice is as strong as I've ever heard it Michael. I was so proud of Fred and Tommy too. They both are sounding so professional and vital as are you. You can't feel winded, you have to keep going. You're already successful Michael and the rest of the world will catch up, please keep believing that, because it will happen. You need to have an album and a video done as soon as financially possible. I feel more driven to keep going musically as well and I'm going to do the same. I know I'm writing some of the best material I ever have but sometimes I feel so alone in the effort to get heard but when we're together I feel like we can bloody well do anything. Love you brother, but you know that. Hugs to DJ.
Hi Michael, how are you doing? Just wanted to wish you a great week. Write soon my friend.
Hugs,
LeLe
Hey Michael, good to meet you in Nashville at the Galactic Expo show, thanks for adding The Gypsy Nomads, let's keep in touch about the possible art project. Cheers...
Hey! Doing great here too thanks! It's a rainy night so just relaxing at home, with a beer and listening to some of my favorite music. I really enjoy this kind of moments.
What have you been up to? Thanks a lot for feedback Michael, I really appreciate that.
Thanks for the Add!
Hey Michael! How was your week? Haven't caught you online lately. Have a great weekend my friend, drop a line anytime.
Big hugs from your Spanish friend.
Thanks so much Michael, I feel very glad to read those words coming from an artist like you...it's great that you've enjoyed. Who knows, we might share stage one day ;-)
Have a nice week mate!
How are you doing Michael? Thanks for accepting my request, you are such a great singer, I love your tone.
Best regards from Spain,
Lele
Michael, you rock! Great meeting you and keep up the great sounds. Bearhugs, Jon.
We will miss you at Beltainne my dear. Safe travels. Love you.
thanks for the add!
Thanks Mike for the support and help of Jesse B. Simple. Your the greatest. Holler if yas need anything.
Hey thanx for addin' me. You are one talented and handsome fella! Grrrr!