Michael has been playing sax for POTM since 2009.
Q. How did you get involved in music?
My parents bought a piano when I was nine and I took lessons, but I was more interested in improvisation. My father was a jazz buff and I grew up listening to many of the jazz greats. At night when I was supposed to be asleep, I would tune my little transistor radio to WLAC in Nashville and listen to gospel music and blues. Harmonica was the second instrument I picked up. I must have been around 12. My first day of high school I met a couple guys who played guitar. I said I play harmonica and sing and we decided right then and there to start a band. It wasn’t until after high school that I started playing sax. Keyboards are still a major tool in my composing, though I don’t consider myself a keyboard player.
Q. What do you like about playing in a band?
Playing in a band is all about loving music. I think most people would like to play in a band. It seems evident from the throngs of folks that turn out to audition for shows like Star Search, American Idol and America’s Got Talent and a myriad of other talent shows worldwide. Whether playing in a band or playing by myself in my studio or by a waterfall, there is nothing else, for me, which compares to being able to create music from within.
Q. In addition to playing saxophone and vocals you play the Zendrum. Tell us about it.
The Zendrum is an electronic MIDI controller designed for drummers. It allows a drummer or percussionist to play practically any sound by tapping a trigger. It can be worn like a guitar and is wireless so you are free to move around the stage. For a while in the 80s I played in a band with David Haney, who is the drummer who invented the Zendrum. At the time, Dave and his partner Kim Daniels were cutting Zendrum bodies out of some really nice varieties of wood but using hand tools. The Zendrum has some challenging angles in its design that are difficult to cut by hand so Dave asked me if I could design some jigs to cut them. I was fortunate enough to be asked to attend the NAMM show and help demonstrate the instrument that year. That was in 1996 and I’ve been hooked on the Zendrum since.
Q. What do you like about being part of POTM/NPB?
What’s not to like? We get to play for great clients who love us. We travel in style in our tour bus and when we’re not on the bus we’re flying to great destinations. I get to work with a very talented and friendly group of people who love what they do and it shows.
Q. How do you spend your time when you’re not playing music?
I spend time with my family, write music in my studio, try to play golf, and there’s always the “honey do” list.
Q.What advice would you give young musicians?
The best advice I can offer young musicians is to take advantage of the time you have now! Practice now! Learn NOW! When you are a kid you don’t have to deal with where your rent is coming from or how you’ll pay for the many things you need in life. You have time. Use it to hone your skill. Once you leave home, you’ll find it’s much harder to find time for the things you love because you’ll be taking care of the things you have to do to stay alive.
