John Michael Presney

John Michael's music lies somewhere in the middle of urban edge and country soul; between concrete and fields, steel and trees - but so does he. Growing up in the heartland left its mark even after he adopted the city.

Influenced by artists ranging from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Band, The Rolling Stones, and Ryan Adams to The Replacements, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, and U2, John Michael draws from a wide palette but is molded after no one shade.

John Michael started writing songs at a young age and ventured into performing full steam, but was never satisfied with just one outlet and began building an acting career as well as one in music. He attended multiple arts colleges where he honed his craft as a professional, but they left him cold. His unwillingness to be forced into types and genres helped him forge his own path through the world of conservatory arts training and emerge unscathed and all the better for it.

Upon his exit, and with the knowledge that he could only make music on his own terms, he began the long process of writing what would be his debut record. But things have a strange way of working and he was cast in the First National Tour of the Tony Award wining Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet" (about the eponymous event) portraying the father of rockabilly, Carl Perkins. Thrown headlong into the world of 50's rock and roll he was able to work alongside and learn from such legends as Ronnie Hawkins, Stan Perkins, Fluke Holland (Johnny Cash's only drummer), Chuck Meade (Grammy nominated for his band BR-549), and more.

With Million Dollar Quartet, John Michael has had the opportunity to play across the world for thousands of people, including a crowd of 20,000 strong at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL. He has spent nights drinking whisky and recording at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis; soaking in its soul. He has been seen on national as well as international t.v. The show provided him the opportunity to play rock and roll music on a scale that most can only dream of.

Having taken the opportunity to write in hotel rooms across the world, John Michael comes out on the other side with his debut release in hand. "The Nighttime and the Dawn" was recorded in Beverly Hills, CA with J.D. Andrews (The Rolling Stones, Kanye West). The record spans genres and is directly influenced by his nights on the road in strange cities and beds. Fueled by heartbreak and liquor, it features his dynamic band and guest strings by Jessy Greene (Wilco, The Foo Fighters).

Whether with his full band or by himself. Plugged in and turned up or acoustic and intimate, his performances and songs speak loudly. The choruses soar and the guitar sings. Always engaging, his powerful songs speak to the romantic in all of us.

And he knows how to have fun too.