Michael is an accomplished musician who's love for music and search for his native heritage led him to the Native American Wood Flute. With over 35 years of experience and as a performance and studio musician, as a drummer and percussionist, Michael developed his talents and perfected his gift for mastering intricate rhythms. He later learned, under
the teachings of Kenneth Leonard, the electric, acoustic and classical guitars as well as music theory,
history and ethnomusicology as a private student.
With this knowledge, Michael desired to incorporate as many different types of instruments and backgrounds into his recording compositions Michael incorporates the Native flute with his love and education for many traditional world cultural instruments including Celtic, Japanese, Native American and African, just to name a few, and creates a fusion of world instrumentation with a familiar underlying rhythm Michael is known for. Michael adds contemporary instrumentation when needed as well as modern dance and voice to give his audience not only a sonic experience but a visual experience as well.
Michael's passion and interest has always been in the music arena. He is a perfectionist and feels it lends well to this craft. With this passion Michael has followed his heart and has begun teaching on the ancient methods, as well as today's methods, of construction and uses of the flute in the Native ways of life. Michael has dedicated his life to educating and teaching his Native culture and using his expertise in the flute as a catalyst for this training.
Michael is also a flute player with a “traditional” or “old” style sound. His flute playing incorporates many techniques that are unique to the traditional Native style. Barks, chirps, trills and other techniques which often mimic sounds heard in nature are not uncommon and weave their way through the melodies. ”I’ve always played the flute this way”, Michael states. “It’s as if it has been inside of me all my life. This is how I have always heard the flute in my mind. I have a vague memory of certain sounds from my childhood. One of those was the flute. I searched for many years to find the instrument that was the sound I heard in my head, in my memories. Then one day I happened to be doing a search on the Internet, of all places, and came across a sound clip. I knew instantly that this was the sound I was looking for and so began my journey to find this instrument. It was the Native American wood flute and I’ve been in love with this instrument ever since.”
Michael is a full time musician, performer and educator as well as a full time wood flute maker. He travels and educates on Native American culture and heritage across the country. He teaches in various arenas, from historical societies, corporate business, Native arts organizations and colleges to day care facilities and national events. Michael is proud to be Cherokee & Powhatan descent.. Michael is the 2009 NAMA (Nammy) winner for Best World Recording for his Ceremony cd. Michael is a Just Plain Folks Music Awards 2006 Album of the Year winner for his cd Voice From Within and a Song of the Year nominee for The Gathering.
He was a 2006 Nammy Award nominee entree for six categories. He has also had nominations for the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards in 3 categories for his Unearthed cd release. His latest nominations were for Song of the Year for Indian Reservation from his Ceremony cd for the 2009 NAMA (Nammy) Awards. Michael has also been nominated for 'Artist Of The Year' from the Yankee Peddler Foundation - 2005 Michael's cd's and dvd can be found at many local stores which carry Native genre music as well as Amazon.com, Borders.com, CDbaby.com, Super D cd distribution, searchingbearflutes.com and can be downloaded @ iTunes, Rhapsody, PayPlay.fm and MySpace and many more. Michael's cd's are available from his special friends at Paramount Press Inc. - the exclusive publisher of Robert Griffing's paintings & books.
RECENT HONORS:
the teachings of Kenneth Leonard, the electric, acoustic and classical guitars as well as music theory,
history and ethnomusicology as a private student.
With this knowledge, Michael desired to incorporate as many different types of instruments and backgrounds into his recording compositions Michael incorporates the Native flute with his love and education for many traditional world cultural instruments including Celtic, Japanese, Native American and African, just to name a few, and creates a fusion of world instrumentation with a familiar underlying rhythm Michael is known for. Michael adds contemporary instrumentation when needed as well as modern dance and voice to give his audience not only a sonic experience but a visual experience as well.
Michael's passion and interest has always been in the music arena. He is a perfectionist and feels it lends well to this craft. With this passion Michael has followed his heart and has begun teaching on the ancient methods, as well as today's methods, of construction and uses of the flute in the Native ways of life. Michael has dedicated his life to educating and teaching his Native culture and using his expertise in the flute as a catalyst for this training.
Michael is also a flute player with a “traditional” or “old” style sound. His flute playing incorporates many techniques that are unique to the traditional Native style. Barks, chirps, trills and other techniques which often mimic sounds heard in nature are not uncommon and weave their way through the melodies. ”I’ve always played the flute this way”, Michael states. “It’s as if it has been inside of me all my life. This is how I have always heard the flute in my mind. I have a vague memory of certain sounds from my childhood. One of those was the flute. I searched for many years to find the instrument that was the sound I heard in my head, in my memories. Then one day I happened to be doing a search on the Internet, of all places, and came across a sound clip. I knew instantly that this was the sound I was looking for and so began my journey to find this instrument. It was the Native American wood flute and I’ve been in love with this instrument ever since.”
Michael is a full time musician, performer and educator as well as a full time wood flute maker. He travels and educates on Native American culture and heritage across the country. He teaches in various arenas, from historical societies, corporate business, Native arts organizations and colleges to day care facilities and national events. Michael is proud to be Cherokee & Powhatan descent.. Michael is the 2009 NAMA (Nammy) winner for Best World Recording for his Ceremony cd. Michael is a Just Plain Folks Music Awards 2006 Album of the Year winner for his cd Voice From Within and a Song of the Year nominee for The Gathering.
He was a 2006 Nammy Award nominee entree for six categories. He has also had nominations for the Aboriginal People's Choice Awards in 3 categories for his Unearthed cd release. His latest nominations were for Song of the Year for Indian Reservation from his Ceremony cd for the 2009 NAMA (Nammy) Awards. Michael has also been nominated for 'Artist Of The Year' from the Yankee Peddler Foundation - 2005 Michael's cd's and dvd can be found at many local stores which carry Native genre music as well as Amazon.com, Borders.com, CDbaby.com, Super D cd distribution, searchingbearflutes.com and can be downloaded @ iTunes, Rhapsody, PayPlay.fm and MySpace and many more. Michael's cd's are available from his special friends at Paramount Press Inc. - the exclusive publisher of Robert Griffing's paintings & books.
RECENT HONORS:
Ceremony cd is the 2009 (Native American Music Awards) Nammy Award Winner for Best World Recording!
Ceremony's Indian Reservation song was nominated for Song of the Year 2009 Nammy Awards.
Live in Concert DVD was nominated for 2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards Video of the Year.
Unearthed Nominated 2009 Just Plain Folks Music Award for Album of the Year and
Just Plain Folks Music Award nominee for Song of the Year - Appalachian Sunrise
Just Plain Folks Music Award nominee for Song of the Year - Appalachian Sunrise
2008 Native American Music Award nominee for Best Long Form Music Video for Live In Concert dvd release
Honored to be a Spirit Wind Records Silver Arrow Award winner for outstanding contribution to Native American music, 2008
Honored to be a presenter at the 9th & 10th annual Native American Music Awards (Nammy's) show, 2007-08
2007 Aboriginal People's Choice Awards nominated artist in 3 categories for 2005 'Un earthed' cd release
Honored to be filmed for the 100th Crooked River Groove show at Tri C University, Cleveland, OH -2007
2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards WINNER for album of the year for 2003 'Voice From Within' cd release
2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards nominated song for 2003 'Voice From Within' cd release 'The Gathering'
2006 Native American Music Awards nominated artist in 6 categories for 2005 'Unearthed' cd release
Unearthed' cd used on the History Channel's Windtalker's weekly radio show - 2006
Photo appears in ethnomusicology college book, World Music - A global journey - 2006
Song, The Gathering, from cd release 'Voice From Within' is used in Kulture Kids
cd release- The Talkative Turtle and other Tales - 2005
Nominated for 'Artist Of The Year' from the Yankee Peddler Foundation - 2005
Have been cited & published in many publications on the Native flute including educational materials - 2005
Michael's music has appeared on many cd's & dvd's as listening pleasure as well as informational use - 2005
Performance for the International Children's Games - Cleveland, Ohio 2004 Several local TV station interviews & spots for ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC - 2003/2004
Performance and interview for PBS - 2002/2003
RV: Congratulations on winning the 2009 Nammy Award for best World Recording for your Ceremony CD. How does it feel earning such a prestigious award?
Michael: It is an honor to be recognized by ones' peers. It feels like I have accomplished something worthy of others to listen to on the Ceremony cd.
RV: Michael, you incorporate many different styles into your music. Which style of music incorporates a sound that is the most interesting to you?
Michael: My emotions and thoughts are focused on so many styles and areas of culture. Many cultural sounds intrigue me. At this point in time the middle eastern, Gypsy and Tibetan sounds interest me....
2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards nominated song for 2003 'Voice From Within' cd release 'The Gathering'
2006 Native American Music Awards nominated artist in 6 categories for 2005 'Unearthed' cd release
Unearthed' cd used on the History Channel's Windtalker's weekly radio show - 2006
Photo appears in ethnomusicology college book, World Music - A global journey - 2006
Song, The Gathering, from cd release 'Voice From Within' is used in Kulture Kids
cd release- The Talkative Turtle and other Tales - 2005
Nominated for 'Artist Of The Year' from the Yankee Peddler Foundation - 2005
Have been cited & published in many publications on the Native flute including educational materials - 2005
Michael's music has appeared on many cd's & dvd's as listening pleasure as well as informational use - 2005
Performance for the International Children's Games - Cleveland, Ohio 2004 Several local TV station interviews & spots for ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC - 2003/2004
Performance and interview for PBS - 2002/2003
RV: Congratulations on winning the 2009 Nammy Award for best World Recording for your Ceremony CD. How does it feel earning such a prestigious award?
Michael: It is an honor to be recognized by ones' peers. It feels like I have accomplished something worthy of others to listen to on the Ceremony cd.
RV: Michael, you incorporate many different styles into your music. Which style of music incorporates a sound that is the most interesting to you?
Michael: My emotions and thoughts are focused on so many styles and areas of culture. Many cultural sounds intrigue me. At this point in time the middle eastern, Gypsy and Tibetan sounds interest me....
“Click to listen”
RV: Where do your ideas for your musical compositions come from?
Michael: From my emotions combines with musical ideas. Places, people, things, etc....
RV: I noticed that you make and sell your own flutes. They are beautiful as well as modestly priced. Can you provide some insight as to which qualities a beginner should look for when purchasing a flute?
Michael: The looks of the flute is actually meaningless as far as quality in sound goes. Sound should be the most important aspect of the flute. Obviously you need good quality tone wood to get a good tone. It is the sound quality and tone of the flute that separates them from the professional quality and poor quality flutes. A beginners flute should be no different from a professional grade flute. These Native American flutes are supposed to be 1) easily played 2) have that warm wood tone, not a plastic sound 3) and a focused sound, not breathy or airy. Every flute should have this, so, every flute is a professional grade flute. For a beginner, just make sure the flute fits your hands and that it is very easy to play. Easy to play with your hands and with your breath. I would mainly say that a flute maker should guarantee their flutes. If they don't, walk away!
RV: What project(s) are you currently involved in?
Michael: A project which involves the co-producer of the Ceremony cd. TJ Marlatt as well as a new band. It will basically be a continuation of Ceremony.
RV: Is there a Native musician, artist that you have a lot of admiration for?
Michael: To be honest I have never looked at many artists for admiration, however, I have enjoyed Douglas Spotted Eagle's visual performances.
“Click to listen”
RV: Is there a performance that stands out in your mind?
Michael: A small town theater we performed in was haunted, or, it had many mischievous spirits there.... Needless to say, everything that could go wrong did! We overcame though and the show was indeed a hit. It makes for a great experience and we still talk about it today.
RV: What keeps you going?
Michael: My love for music and my culture.
RV: What are you hoping to convey to the audiences that attend your performances?
Michael: Most of my audience is what I have been calling in the past as the “crossover” crowd. A crowd that may not go to a pow wow or even listen much to Native music but would go a local theater. But when they see me perform and listen to my cd's they find out the Native culture is so much more than what they had ever thought. They then go to the pow wow and festivals to learn more. That makes me feel as if I have accomplished something and a variety of ethnic folks become tuned to the Native world.
Thank you again Michael for the time that you’ve set aside to provide an interview to Native Digest. I wish you continued success in your career and in your life. Please be sure to visit Michael’s website at: http://www.searchingbearflutes.com/ to learn more about Michael.
Michael: A small town theater we performed in was haunted, or, it had many mischievous spirits there.... Needless to say, everything that could go wrong did! We overcame though and the show was indeed a hit. It makes for a great experience and we still talk about it today.
RV: What keeps you going?
Michael: My love for music and my culture.
RV: What are you hoping to convey to the audiences that attend your performances?
Michael: Most of my audience is what I have been calling in the past as the “crossover” crowd. A crowd that may not go to a pow wow or even listen much to Native music but would go a local theater. But when they see me perform and listen to my cd's they find out the Native culture is so much more than what they had ever thought. They then go to the pow wow and festivals to learn more. That makes me feel as if I have accomplished something and a variety of ethnic folks become tuned to the Native world.
Thank you again Michael for the time that you’ve set aside to provide an interview to Native Digest. I wish you continued success in your career and in your life. Please be sure to visit Michael’s website at: http://www.searchingbearflutes.com/ to learn more about Michael.
