Biography
Literate Americana with a rock-n-roll heart.
Michael Heaton’s songs emerge from classic American traditions – rock, country and pop. But Heaton accomplishes what few songwriters and performers do; he makes the tried and true feel new again. A self-described “country guy that can play the Who,” Heaton bridges the energy and passion of the best rock n’ roll with plainspoken, emotionally affective lyrics that touch a chord in a lot of people. Over the course of hundreds of shows and several albums, Heaton has proved his mettle – he’s an artist who has won himself an eager fanbase, and with that, the freedom to make the music, he wants, his way.
Heaton’s gift is for writing songs that touch upon real life – love, work and the seemingly unheralded moments that make up the deepest parts of our lives. He says, “A great song makes you think – not about the singer, but about yourself. I want my music to affect people that way – it’s like a tool that you can relate the world through.”
Ironically, for an artist for whom authenticity is paramount, Heaton literally faked his way into becoming a musician. He recalls, “In seventh grade, I made a decision that I was going to be popular. I sat down next to the popular kid and told him that I was a guitarist. That impressed him, and he invited me to a party he was having. I showed up at his party, and he asked me to play a song. Of course, I was petrified, and told him that I didn’t have my guitar with me. He then proceeded to pull out a guitar and handed it to me! I had a mental picture of the frets though, and I actually got through (Ted Nugent’s) ‘Cat Scratch Fever!’ That got me in the band.”
Taking up the guitar for real, Michael began writing songs within a month of learning his first chord. He remembers with a smile, “All the bands I loved, like the Who and CSNY, had guitarists who wrote the material. I just thought that was what you were supposed to do!” Developing himself as a singer/songwriter/guitarist, Heaton formed and fronted bands such as the X-Tras and Cut, and toured with Chicago favorites, the Drovers, sometimes being their opening act. While his passion for music was never in doubt, Michael had to work various jobs to support himself. “From diaper delivery person to making false teeth to performing singing telegrams…I guess I’ve done a little bit of everything,” Michael says with a smile.
That all changed in 2000, after Michael released his first album, Learning Curve. A winning and eclectic collection of songs, the album, in tandem with Michael’s increased touring schedule, began to get attention for Michael, and by 2001, he was doing well enough to support himself solely through his music. In 2003, Michael’s released Our Little Secret on Artichoke Records, and continued to build upon his earlier momentum. Recorded with a crew of Nashville greats, like drummer Eddie Bayers, mandolin virtuoso Sam Bush, and bassist Dave Pomeroy, the album was co-produced by Pat Bergeson (Lyle Lovett, Chet Atkins, Allison Kraus) and showed off a more polished and technically accomplished side to Heaton’s music.
But as always with Heaton, the song is the star, and on Our Little Secret, he found that certain songs were impacting people in enormous ways. He explains, “’Say It In Spanish’ became a wedding song for a lot of people, which really blew me away.” The increased appreciation for Heaton’s work allowed Michael the opportunity to open for artists such as Shelby Lynne, Robbie Fulks, Sleepy LaBeef, Duke Robillard and more. And playing around 200 nights a year continued to spread Michael’s reputation as an energetic and passionate front man who connects with audiences every single night. “I’ve just been a working dog playing music,” he says with a laconic grin.
Currently, Michael is readying his next album titled I Know What I Know. “I have just finished recording
and we’ve been mixing for a month,” he says. “It’s really a family album.” With themes ranging between
childhood memories, dating, marriage, divorce, careers, drinking and the loss of loved ones.
Part of the disc was recorded in Chicago with his stage band, and the second half
was recording again with producer Pat Bergeson in Nashville.” Release is set for May 2, 2009.
Through a fiery charisma and unquestioned commitment to connection, Michael Heaton has been
able to do something that many aspire to, but few accomplish – making a living career out of music.
“I’ve got this really nice thing going on – like fans who support what I do. Music has brought me
so many great thrills; meeting artists like Taj Mahal, Lucinda Williams and Richard
Thompson.” He’s done so by creating music that honors the power of great music – by hitting a lot
of people right where they live.
Instrumentation
Michael Heaton Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Sam Hubbell Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals
Adam Gardner Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Derek Feiza Drums and Percussion
Discography
More samples available available at:
http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelHeaton
All songs in this discography were
written by Michael Heaton.
I Know What I Know (Michael Heaton) (Release date: May 2009) 13 songs 2009
Michael Heaton Band Live 13 songs 2005
Our Little Secret (Michael Heaton)12 songs 2003
Learning Curve (Michael Heaton)13 songs 2000
Rest In Pieces (Band: CUT) 5 song EP 1995
Cut (Band: CUT) 7 song EP 1993
Kaboom (Band:The X-Tras) 12songs 1991
Links
| http://www.michaelheaton.com |