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Dateline: April 30, 2001
I have decided to write this weeks Carrie's Corner about one of my favorite singers Michael Johnson. (:
I can remember where I was the first time I heard one of Michael's songs. I was watching one of my favorite soap operas when one of the characters brought out a guitar and sang a beautiful song called "Wings" to his on air love interest. I have been hooked ever since.
There is just somthing about Michael's music. I love the softness of his vocals and the awesome guitar backing.
Michael began singing and playing guitar when he was 13. He had contracted pneumonia and his brother had a broken leg. They were laid up in hospital beds in the living room of their family home and their parents, rapidly running out of ways to amuse the invalids bought them a guitar. By the end of the year they had taught themselves well enough to play for their first paying date at a local VFW hall. Michael said they were paid five dollars and all the screwdrivers they
could drink.
In 1963, Michael went to college in Colorado to study music but he didn't finish due to the fact that he won an international talent contest. His prize was a record deal with Epic records. He released one single. Twenty-three copies of the single were sold, and it is said that Michael still knows where 13 of them are.
In 1966, he went to Barcelona, Spain and studied music there at the Liceo Concervatory with classical guitarist Graciano Tarrago. When he returned to the states he joined a shortlived group called The New Society and then went on to join the Chad Mitchell Trio for a year.
(Note: John Denver was also a part of this group at the time and they wrote songs together.)
After his stint with the Chad Mitchell Trio ended, Michael stretched his creative wings and took a major part in the off broadway play "Jaques Brel is Alive And Well And Living In Paris."
In 1971, Michael signed with Atlantic Records, and released "There Is A Breeze" which was produced by Peter Yarrow (of the folk group Peter Paul And Mary) and Phil Ramone.
Still trying to perfect his sound, Michael made a demo of two songs "Bluer Then Blue" and "Almost Like Being In Love." These two songs would go on to become two of his most well known songs.
He released his album "Dialogue" out of which came "This Night Won't Last Forever" and "I'll Always Love You."
In 1982, Michael had a hit duet with Sylvia "I Love You By Heart."
In 1986, Michael released his first album with RCA records, "Wings," and scored a hit on the country music charts when "Gotta Learn To Love Without You" made it into
the Top 10. "Give Me Wings" went to number 1, and earned a CMA nomination for song of the year and was Billboard's country song of the year. "The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder" also went to number 1 and was Billboard's number 4 song of the year.
In 1988, Michael released "That's That which had three more hit singles the title cut, "I Will Whisper Your Name," and "Cryin Shame."
In 1991, Michael went on the road as the opening act for Clint Black and Wynonna Judd's "Black and Wy" tour, and performed in 91 cities.
Songs Of:
Albums of:
Sound clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble
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