Michael is available for local area gigs such as parties, weddings, and special events.  Michael is also available for studio work on other artists recordings.   

For booking information e-mail inquiry by going to the Contact Us page on this site.

Then & Now

Michael has been playing music in the Boise area since 1972.  He was lead singer and guitarist for several successful local bands from the 70's through the early 80's.  These included foursome Orpheus  and the seven man band, Straight Chaser.  Both bands went through a number of transitions with members.  Straight Chaser ended up as a power trio.   

These bands included some of the area's top musicians.  Over the years members of the bands were Sandon Mayhew (sax), Quinn VanPaepeghem (guitar), Patrick Kurdy (drums), Lou Mathews (bass), Bret May (guitar), Ned Jarvis (trumpet), Jack Moore (keyboards), Lori Harper (drums), Phil Rundquist (bass), Ed Bonham (drums), Craig Knapp (drums), Curt Gonion (keyboards), Sam Sherman (bass), and Glen Grant. (guitar)  Check out the cool old photos of some of the guys in the Picture Gallery of this site.  A real blast to the past!

Michael occasionally re-unites with some of his past band mates for performances.  These include Rushmore Jazz with the Van Papeghems (Quinn, Shirley and Jake) and Mike with percussionist Lori Harper. 

Discography

Michael plays cuts from his CD's at all of his gigs. 

Michael's CD "Anticipation"  is now available.  The disk features tweleve new songs combined with seven additional smooth tunes from the last five CDs.   

Michael's last CD was the 2007 release, Aquaglide.  Sandon Mayhew calls the CD "pure tasty buseiness."   Aquaglide can be purchased for $15.00 at the performances, or at The Record Exchange in Boise.   

The 2005 CD, Blue Solitude, is smooth jazz with an edge consisting of 17 original tracks totaling 59 minutes of music.  Quinn VP sits in on a few tracks, as does Sandon.  

Michael's Restless Tide CD was released in 2003.  It featured more rock grooves with Michael on guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion and trumpet.  and Sandon Mayhew with awesome sax tracks.  Ten songs make up the CD.   

Michael's second CD, titled Tappin' the Source , was released in April 2002.  It featured a few more vocal performances and Sandon Mayhew on sax.   

Michael's  first CD was Beyond The Break and was released in May of 2001.  

Some samples of tracks are posted on the Listen Here page of this site.  

Gear

Michael's main axe is a custom  almond-burst Heritage 150 CM.  The guitar was made by Mike's cousin, Larry Perkins.  Larry owns the "twin" to Mike's guitar.  Larry does all of the finishes on Heritage guitars.  Check out these fine instruments at www.heritageguitar.com   Also, check out the article about Heritage Guitars and the 1917 Gibson building (World's Greatest Guitar Factory) in the July 2002 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine. www.vintageguitar.com  

Michael uses Fender USA, G&L USA, Taylor, and Yairi guitars.  Ovation USA mandolin and Lanikai ukelele.  

Amps are Fender Cyber Deluxe, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Ampeg B50r, and Fishman Loudbox Performer.  

Michael plays Yamaha and Selmer saxes with Meyer mouthpieces/Brancher ligatures, and Getzen horns with Rudy Muck mouthpieces.  

Percussion is LP and drums are DW.  

Mics are Shure & Audix.  

Sound support equipment is Mackie.

In the studio Micheal uses Fostex and Alesis gear.

2010 Performance Dates 

Friday March 5th, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM Seasons Bistro

This Summer:

Wednesday June 9th, Eagle Hills ~ Archer Wedding Reception

Thursday July 1st, Shore Lodge ~ Bryant Wedding Reception