I've been heavily influenced by generations before me. Starting from the late 50's to early 60's era. I would listen to lots of golden oldies and motown along with my dad on car rides through Chicago. As I got older my tastes would change and I became more into grunge, heavy metal, alternative rock, some (not most) country, and so on. They continue to change, but they all have a certain "pop" element to them. I'm attracted to that aspect of things. The melodies are similar.  So the Drifters, the Doors, Metallica, Nirvana, Ozzy Osbourne (the Wylde years more so), and so on. Lots of 60's, lots of 90's, and probably most importantly, I was heavily influenced by disk 1 of a new age cd by a production group called Narada and from there Michael Jones, Spencer Brewer, and David Lanz. My main instrument and tool for expression is guitar. I started playing at 13 when I saw how much fun my friends were having, with only 1 of the 3 knowing how to play anything at all at the time. I took a self challenge to write a song and begin trying the band thing. I became addicted. I would jam on my friend's drumset to learn what I could. When we found a bassist (do they all really start on guitar?) I quickly realized I could play that too. No, I don't claim to be much of a bassist, but I'm getting better (technique makes a musician). So I moved south and was on my own but found the people around me just wanted to sound like everyone else. So one day at a gig I got an offer to record in another city. I turned it down because I had no clue of how to describe exactly what was in my head with the limited knowledge I had. I spent 10 years supporting my family and learning just how to describe what I hear.  Tweaking every knob over and over listening for the differences. Learning what balancing is and all its super subtle aspects. I've come a long way and hear better than I have before, so now here is where I am. Ultimately, if I could just find a better singer than me, I would love to be able to hear their voice on my tunes. Not just any vocalist, but one who has talent and a passion for the art of it.  I would love to be a ghost writer. I would like to get to where I can mix other people's recordings.  Drop me a line if you would like to help out and join in the fun of making new music, with real (as I can manage them to be) instruments and raw music. Or, just stick around and listen to some music. I love to play with the bass lines. I hope you have at least somewhat decent speakers so you can hear it. Laptop or cell phone speakers don't do it well, even small and cheap headphones are better.

Michael Johnson 94 is following