Description

Michael is a songwriter from Watsonville ("born and raised...got as far as Ben Lomond, and yes there's a song in there") who favors narrative, story songs. Like his tune "Jack of All Trades" says, he's done a bit of everything: freelance writer for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, teacher, even joke writer for Jay Leno. His debut record, the 2006 releaseSpotted Mule and Other Tales, is an Americana mix of folk and bluegrass story songs. He's currently at work on "Dogspeed" another story collection anchored by yet another animal totem.

Michael is fond of mixing humor and dropping local color into his work: Highway 17 gets regular airplay on KPIG radio. "Where'd the Time Go?" features a nostalgic look back at Days on the Green and the Sashmill Cinema. And "I Miss My Town" laments a small farming town replacing fertile soil with "houses where the food used to grow".

Besides writing and performing his own music, Michael produces a regular podcast called "Songs and Stories" where he interviews other independent musicians. Past shows include chats with local favorites Lacy J. Dalton, Dayan Kai, and Keith Greeninger. Find out more about "Songs and Stories" on Michael's web site at www.michaelgaither.com.

Michael also runs a monthly open mike night (first Thursday of each month from 7-10 pm) at the Wooden Nickel Bar & Grill in Watsonville. A schedule of upcoming open mike nights is at www.michaelgaither.com/shows

Live Shows

www.michaelgaither.com/shows

Releases

Spotted Mule and Other Tales (2006)

Related Links

• Local Bands and Musicians
• Songs About Santa Cruz
• Local Writers
• Local Filmmakers & Broadcasters
• Music
• Live Music Venues
• People of Santa Cruz

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