J. Micheal Laferty

Artist Information

Biography

Micheal calls South Padre Island Texas “home”, and spends his time happily wandering between the Rio Grande, New Orleans, and the Florida Keys. His music, a tongue in cheek reflection of his island lifestyle and tropical surroundings, which provides him with a repertoire of material that weaves seamlessly in and out of all facets of human emotion, is characteristically delivered with a sly smile and a blazingly wicked wit that immediately engages the audience; it is easy to see why fans, and media alike, compare Micheal with such notables as Robert Earl Keen, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe Ely, Lyle Lovett, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Jimmy Buffett.

With four releases under his belt on the Umpqua Records label, the most recent being his hugely successful 2009 release “Parrotheads in Cowboy Boots”, Micheal is growing his fan base “one song at a time” both here in the States and Europe.

His full schedule of daily appearances during the summer season on the resort destination of South Padre Island, frequent Festival appearances, respectable national radio airplay on terrestrial mainstream stations, and “heavy rotation” on virtually every internet/satellite market which caters to the “TropRock” listeners, have combined to firmly defined Micheal as a benchmark Artist in the Americana/TropRock/Texas Music market.

www.jmlaferty.com

Instrumentation

Solo:
J. Micheal Laferty Guitar, Vocals & Harmonica

With Band:
Acoustic Guitar
Lead Guitar: Electric and/or Acoustic
Bass Guitar: Electric, Acoustic Upright
Drums,
Percussion and Steel Drums
Harmonica
Mandolin & Banjo

Discography

"Gulf Steam Breezes" Umpqua Creations 1998
"Vagabond Moon" Umpqua Creations 1999
"Smoke, Mirrors & Snake Oil" Umpqua Creations 2004
"Parrotheads in Cowboy Boots" Umpqua Creations 2009

Links

• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• Parrotheads In Cowboy Boots
  Listen  
• Pancho's Bar
  Listen  
• A Thousand Miles From Here
  Listen  
• Just Another Night
  Listen  
• Find Me
  Listen  
• Old Vallarta
  Listen  
• Beach Time
  Listen  
• Dr. Phil
  Listen  
• Boycott
  Listen  
• Three Day Solution
  Listen  
• Been There, Done That - Full Band
  Listen  
• Texas Two-Step - Full Band
  Listen  
• Till I Have Too
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• New Music Review: Parrotheads in Cowboy Boots [+ Show ]
  

  J. Michael Laferty – Parrotheads in Cowboy Boots Umpqua 2008 Format: CD What do you get when...
  J. Michael Laferty – Parrotheads in Cowboy Boots
  Umpqua 2008
  Format: CD
  
  What do you get when you cross Jimmy Buffett with West Texas? Why J. Michael Laferty. Buffett’s influence is obvious from the very first tune. But Laferty makes his own mark with his singing, songwriting and storytelling aimed at an audience that is a bit more grown up yet still willing to kick back and party. Laferty’s songs cause you to listen a bit more closely to the message. Take the title tune. Sure it’s a bow directly to his mentor, but in it he acknowledges that there’s more to life than just partying when he sings “Me and my inner child are having a talk; but we’re doing it on island time.” Or his ode to self-examination “Old Vallarta” with the line “And she sits and wonders how they got this way, she tells herself to give it one more day.” But he still has that rebel streak that Buffett has carried the torch for when he sings “Dr. Phil” with the line “I know what Dr. Phil says….I don’t care.” Laferty also composes with a sound more drawn from Texas country than gulf shore southern. As Laferty says, this album, if it does little else, should a least bring a smile to your face. I think it should get you thinking as well.
  
  His band is made up of musicians who have been there/done that. Drummer (and producer/engineer) Merle Bregante played with the original Loggins & Messina band. Bassist Lynn Daniels has had spells with Willie Nelson, Joe Ely, Ray Price and others. Doug Hudson, who plays mandolin and fiddle, has worked with Nancy Griffith and Robert Earl Keen. And keyboardist Riley Osborn is currently touring with Kenny Wayne Sheppard.
  
  The sound is up close, precise, and very clear. Each instrument is separate from the others. You’ll hear, in various spots, mandolin, banjo, organ, marimba, accordion, electric and Spanish guitars, bass and drums. There’s not much of a soundstage depth wise, but there is a sense of width with each instrument placed in its own space. Laferty’s voice is well worn, deep, and expressive. It’s a bit compressed, but to nowhere near the degree that most popular music these days is. I’ve been an advocate that the best modern pop/rock music comes from small studios these days, and Parrotheads In Cowboy Boots is a shining example of why.
  
  You can pick up a copy either directly from Laferty’s website www.jmlaferty.com or from www.cdbaby.com. I urge you to see why small studios are becoming the way to listen to great new music with this disc.
  
  
  
  
  
  Just my (adjusted for inflation) $2
  
  
  John Crossett
  

• Comments and Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  Micheal’s material averages 50 downloads per week, currently 8,446 downloads recorded, with an avera...Micheal’s material averages 50 downloads per week, currently 8,446 downloads recorded, with an average review of 4 out of 5 stars. Micheal spent several months as an “Editors Top Pick”
  
  Editor's review:
  His ranch-worn twang belies it, but this singer-songwriter actually grew up not far from latte-land in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Whatever his roots, the South Padre-based Laferty is all Texas now, having unearthed a Lovett-esque feel for the dusty country tune and dropping lyrics like "I've got an old woman out in Corpus / Truth to tell, she used to be a whore."
  
  Smooth Country Velvet:
  Reviewer: copperwoman
  Micheal sings from the heart of his soul, something necessary for a country singer. Country music fans recognize this as soon as he opens his mouth. It is my opinion that this singer and his band really need more exposure and a break...
  
  A WINNER:
  Reviewer: DEDEDI
  CRISP, CLEAR VOCALS THAT CUT RIGHT THRU YOUR SOUL.
  
  He captured my heart:
  Reviewer: ilovemusic444
  What great music------both his voice and lyrics pull at your heartstrings and are able to produce strong feelings. I wish there were a whole load of songs to download; is there an album out there somewhere?
  
  

• CD Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  Unbelievable vocals and stories. Don't miss this one!! Reviewer: Ann We saw J. Michael perfo...
  Unbelievable vocals and stories. Don't miss this one!!
  Reviewer: Ann
  We saw J. Michael perform live at South Padre Island Texas, and he was wonderful, so we bought his CD's. He captures the island atmosphere and the Texas songwriter attitude. We loved Vagabond Moon and Gulf Stream Breezes. Anyone would love them.
  
  Way Cool CD-Perfect for Getting Laid Back!
  Reviewer: Texas Riviera Redneck This CD is absolutely perfect for floating around the pool sipping on a margarita!
  
  "Micheal, clearly, is a seasoned entertainer, he performs and writes some of the most true to life and honest lyrics I have ever heard. This is a CD that I listen to over and over again, and the emotions just well-up inside me again and again."
  N. Klampe, President,
  Klampe Promotions and Productions
  
  
  

• Artist Reviews [+ Show ]
  

  Mikey is the BEST!!!!! Hope he remembers us when he makes it big!! Whenever we get the chance we a...
  Mikey is the BEST!!!!! Hope he remembers us when he makes it big!! Whenever we get the chance we are right there listening to him play.
  J. Shourd
  
  Michael Laferty is an amazing singer songwriter in the true Texas tradition, but with a Gulf Coast twist. I'm stupefied that this guy is not huge. Magical songs like "Tears of an Angel", and "Vagabond Moon" should be heard by all those that love real music. Michael is an awesome performer live, and I hope to catch him on the road soon. I highly recommend his latest CD, Smoke, Mirrors, and Snake Oil. Recorded live, it captures the flavor of this true Texas gems songwriting and repoire with an audience.
  M. Yates
  
  I find J Michael's music to be a refreshing change from the everyday sound. After seeing him at a show I will be a life long fan! He is as REAL as it gets.
  NBChick
  

Setlist

Unless specified otherwise by the venue or promoter, top billing performances will run roughly 135 minutes.

Micheal's shows typically run a 80:20 ratio of original vs. cover material. The set list is dependent upon the needs and expectations of the venue.

Cover material is drawn from Artists and genres such as, but not limited to: Jimmy Buffett, Robert Earl Keen, Willie Nelson, Lowell George, Jerry Jeff Walker, Charlie Robison, Jack Ingram, Pat Green and James Taylor

Basic Requirements

Calendar