Bill Withers
James Taylor
Otis Redding
John Mayer
Amos Lee
Norah Jones
Lionel Ritchie
Al Green
Van Morrison
Carol King
Edie Brickell
Bonnie Raitt
Jack Johnson
Coldplay
Jeff Buckley
Dave Matthews
Counting Crows
Curtis Mayfield
Natalie Merchant
Kirk Franklin/ GP
Kim Burrell
Paul Simon
The O’Jays
Ben Harper
Nick Drake
Ray Lamontagne
Tracy Chapman
G Love
Blind Melon
Donny Hathaway
Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Black Crowes
Roberta Flack
Jeffrey Gaines
Pearl Jam
Fiona Apple
Sting
Bobby Womack
David Gray
D’Angelo
Anthony Hamilton
Jill Scott
Eryka Badu
The Roots
Lauren Hill
Jamiroquai
Earth Wind & Fire
The Temptations
The Manhattans
The Spinners
George Michael
Michael Jackson
Sarah McLaughlin
Musiq
Dwele
Miles Davis
Grant Green
George Benson
Chuck Mangione
Bill Evans
Astrud Gilberto
Stan Getz
Joao Gilberto
A.C. Jobim
Celso Fonseca
Kurt Rosenwinkel
Charlie Hunter
Yusef Lateef
Ahmad Jamal
Donald Byrd
Sounds Like
Bill Withers
James Taylor
Otis Redding
John Mayer
Amos Lee
Norah Jones
Lionel Ritchie
Bobby Caldwell
Natalie Merchant
Al Green
Edie Brickell
Carol King
Van Morrison
Bonnie Raitt
Jack Johnson
Coldplay
Jeff Buckley
Dave Matthews
Ani DiFranco
Counting Crows
Shuggie Otis
Ben Harper
Nick Drake
Gavin Degraw
Ray Lamontagne
Tracy Chapman
G Love
Radiohead
Hall & Oates
Blind Melon
Damien Rice
Donny Hathaway
Marvin Gaye
Stevie Wonder
Elliot Smith
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Live
Black Crowes
Roberta Flack
India Arie
Seal
Jeffrey Gaines
Edwin McCain
Pearl Jam
Fiona Apple
Maroon 5
Jason Mraz
Sting
Bobby Womack
David Gray
McCalmon, a Portland, Maine native, began his music career after returning home from California where he earned an English degree from Stanford University. He began work with Ryan Zoidis (Rustic Overtones, Lettuce, Soulive) and Tony McNaboe (Rustic Overtones, Ray LaMontagne) as guitar player for Inside Straight, a soul/R&B house band that packed Portland's Big Easy for two straight years. In 2003, McCalmon worked with McNaboe on his debut album "Destination" resulting in heavy radio play and shows with Guster, Ray LaMontagne, Joe Cocker and Maceo Parker. McCalmon moved to Boston and began work on his debut solo album. He released "Come Home" in 2006 and was immediately nominated for a Boston Music Award in the best male singer/songwriter category.
The Portland Phoenix claims: "Come Home is an laid back, soulful album charming enough to woo anyone with a beating heart." His music is an interesting blend of influences. It fits most comfortably in the rock singer/songwriter genre, but there is a laid back and reflective vibe that comes from McCalmon's heavy immersion in Motown and 70's soul. There are also hints of Brazilian music that add a bittersweet, moody quality to his music. Most apparent though is the character of McCalmon's voice. It is capable of both soothing intimacy and powerful raw emotion. Most often he chooses a soft lazy approach comparable to James Taylor, Bill Withers and Josh Rouse. Occasionally though, he will stretch out to offer a more haunting and volatile delivery reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and fellow Mainer Ray LaMontagne.
Hey Ryan, I've got a show at Toad this Wednesday. It'll be our last appearance for a while cuz we're heading into the studio in a couple weeks, so I hope you can make it!
Miss chatting with ya....I sent you a message, I hope to hear back from you....chat back when you get the chance, I see your busy with the new album and all...but let me know....One Love Ryan...
![MIKE [MK&J]](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/92/s_b7254bb4d4614d03a8cbade6be3874ef.jpg)
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