Biography
Review
LOS ANGELES, CA - 8/22/07 - (AP) The new Michael J Downey and the World single, "america" has debuted the FMQB Adult Contemporary radio charts as the 1 Most-Added single across the USA for the week of 8/22/07. This week, "america" was added to the playlists of more radio stations than any other AC single on the FMQB charts, including Gwen Stephani, Maroon 5, and others. --AP Wire
Product Description
Michael J Downey and The World: California Based Singer/Songwriter and Former Lead Guitarist for Femme Fatale is Building Powerful Cultural and Musical Bridges between 'America' and Korea and Japan Thursday July 12, 4:27 pm ET Band Has Toured Extensively over the Past Year in Asia LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When Michael J Downey titled his four song 2006 breakthrough EP and its title single and video Bridge of No Return, he drew upon his tireless dedication to the importance of cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia. The bridge was a historical metaphor about the end of the Korean War, when families were torn apart as citizens were given a choice between staying and crossing from North to South Korea. The popularity of Bridge of No Return throughout Asia led Downey and his all-female band The World to tour Korea last November and Japan this past March and April. Establishing himself as a indie singer/songwriter on 2004's Your World , Downey has come a long way since his lead guitarist days with late 80s glam hair band Femme Fatale. Downey's latest contribution to that philosophy is his new, ripe for AC radio recording america, which features the four songs from Bridge Of No Return (including "Hajimemashite," which means "It's nice to meet you for the first time"), and america, as well as the perfect combination of a lush love song ("In Love Again"), a heartbreaker ("Wish"), a gritty rocker about what we can all learn from "History" and the cutting edge pop/rock fun song "Fly Away." The Bridge songs were produced by David Longoria (Sting, U2) and the newer tracks by Robert Eibach and Downey himself at the helm. His current touring band includes keyboardist Christina Rasch (Ringo Starr, John Tesh) and bassist Jessica Fagre--both of whom also do extensive USO tours. The Bridge concept extends into the artist's overall mission with his recordings, performances and extra-musical activities, which is to create a vibrant and mutually beneficial way for Americans and Asians to interact. After returning from his first tour of Japan a year and a half ago, he was motivated to start hashi.org, a California non-profit organization dedicated to promoting unique cultural exchange opportunities between Southeast Asia and America.
Instrumentation
Discography
1998 - Waiting for the Big One - Femme Fatale, MCA
2004 - "Your World" - Artists1Stop Records
2004 - "Oasis Rock and Roots" - Oasis
2005 - "Hajimemashite" - indy release
2006 - "Bridge of No Return" - Asia-only release
2007 - "america" (World Records)
Links
| http://www.michaeljdowney.com |