Artist description Michael Gregory was born on July 12, 1961 in Sacramento,California. He took up the guitar at the age of 9,initially inspired by Jimi Hendrix. This led him to Clapton,Beck & Page and all the masters of the British Invasion. Michael'sappetite for new music was insatiable & he was constantly seeking out new sounds & artists for inspiriation. In his early 20s Michael was playing with several bands, even doing time in a Mexican "conjunto" group called "Los Elegantes". He was also performing soloacoustic guitar gigs, an experience which exposed his need for deeper arranging skills. He found this experience invaluable & it serves him in many aspects of hisplaying. It was during this time that he started getting calls for studio work. He found that his strong ear & diversity of playing styles suited him well. As his reputation grew,his phone rang more & more. In 1993 he formed the Michael Gregory Band, an ensemble of skilled players to help bring to life his own musical vision. The band was featured on the 1993compilation "Guitar On The Edge Vol.3,a collection of America's best undiscovered guitarists." In 1994 the band completed their debut release "Guitarchitecture". Itrecieved great local reviews & airplay and was featured on the syndicated radio program "The Instrumentals Of Rock".They shared concert bills with many of their heroes including: Steve Morse Band/Dixie Dregs,Eric Johnson,Robben Ford,Neal Schon, Elvin Bishop,Canned Heat,Tony McAlpine,Ronnie Montrose & others. The band won the 1996 "Studio 6 Band Competition" which was aired nationally on PBS. The group disbanded in 1998 when Michael moved to Nashville topursue his career. He has given private lessons to many students including Frank Hannon & Tommy Skeoch of the multi-platinum selling band "Tesla". He was also on staff at theGuitar Activity Center, a sattelite program developed by the Musician's Institute in Hollywood.He has been a member of Curb recording artist Shane McAnally's road band since May 1999. Shane has done shows with Alabama,Diamond Rio,Brooks &Dunn,Reba McEntire,Lynyrd Skynyrd,Chalee Tennison,Keith Urban & The Oak Ridge Boys. He has also plays with MCA artist Alecia Elliott, appearing at FanFair & opening for Christina Aguilera. Alecia is also the star of the NBC series "Alecia" which willair in spring 2001. He has also done the Tonight Show, The TODAY show, and CNN with 12 year old Epic records artist Billy Gilman, singer of the #1 hit "One Voice" (certified goldin just 3 weeks)

Music Style Ecclectic, rock, jazz, blues, country

Musical Influences Steve Morse, Eric Johnson, Hendrix, Brent Mason

Similar Artists Steve Morse, Eric Johnson

Artist History His resume has grown to include these highlights: Featured on debut CD from Curb records artist Shane McAnally Top-10 single "Dust In The Wind" by Eric Benet on Warner Bros Top-5 single "Rain" by SWV on RCA (guitar & bass) 2 CDs by Tower Of Power keyboardist & smooth jazz artist Roger Smith Toured & recorded w/Earth Wind & Fire keyboardist Robert Brookins Toured w/Motown artist & NBA forward Wayman Tisdale Toured w/The Osmond Bros Toured w/Paul McCartney drummer Joe English Played on themes to Star Search,Donahue,Oprah,CNN,Mind Extension University,Sci-Fi Channel,Monday Night Football & Tom Sullivan Show Jingles for Coke,Amtrak,Wendy's,McDonald's,Subway,7up,GotMilk? & more Music packages for TV & radio news themes around the country CD projects for local & regional artists in northern California As a solo act, Michael has opened for Stanley Jordan,Steve Stills & Great White.

Group Members Michael's effortless melodic soloing, harmonic gymnastics and tonal mood pieces are perfectly complimented, challenged and framed by the skills of the other soloist extraordinaire in the band, Tower of Power keyboardist Roger Smith. Smith provides a jazzy, funky edge to the band, embellishing and enriching the groove laid down by the rhythm section of Gordon Stizzo (drums) and Michael Kelly (bass).

Instruments Guitar, bass, keyboards, mandolin

Albums Guitarchtecture

Press Reviews "When you hear his playing, you are treated to a musical feast--an array of styles and melodies that few instrumentalists are able to conceive, much less create and execute. Rock, blues, funk, jazz, classical, country: Michael can perform each style flawlessly and soulfully. Michael will dart in, out and around styles as if they were different dialects of language. He talks to his band, who talks back. The musical conversation is always lively, varied and entertaining." QUOTABLE QUOTES "We've gotta get rid of that guy, he knows too much." STEVE MORSE Guitar:Dixie Dregs,Steve Morse Band,Kansas,Deep Purple "I don't know if there's room for another guitar hero,but if there is,Michael Gregory would fit the bill perfectly" IAN SAMWELL Producer:Cliff Richard,America,Bourgeois-Tagg "Man,can you play! Your music was great & your band was groovin' hard. As a schooled musician, I was blown away by your choice of melody & harmony. Yourguitar sound was warm & energetic. Man,you should and will be a guitar hero. I'm a definite fan now & look forward to hearing more from you & being inspired byyou!" JAMIE GLASER Guitar:Manhattan Transfer & Jean Luc Ponty "Yeah, Michael Gregory can burn, but for me it's his phrasing,clarity & choice of notes that sets him apart from everyone else." LARRY TAGG Bass:Bourgeois-Tagg,Todd Rundgren,Hall & Oates "In a word...'pocket'. I appreciate a player who, while being a great soloist, can get & STAY in a tight-ass pocket. And that was just my first impression of MichaelGregory. I use him in the studio. I simply ask & he always has the musical answer." BRIAN A MORGAN Producer:SWV,Aretha Franklin,Lalah Hathaway "My God,Michael is one of the greatest soloists I've heard anywhere! He tells a story in 16 bars where most cats need a whole record." WAYMAN TISDALE Motown recording artist & NBA power forward "Damn son,you sure can play that guitar!" LARRY LEE Guitar:Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock,Al Green "Michael Gregory is no joke! He's killin'! You just don't understand!" ROBERT BROOKINS Keyboards:Earth Wind & Fire,Stanley Clarke,George Duke "Michael sounds great. It's nice to hear good musicians playing so skillfully." MICHAEL MANNRING Bass:Windham Hill Records "I'm a Michael Gregory fan." JOHN T "JUBU" SMITH Guitar:ToniTonyTone,Tony Rich Project,Boyz II Men "You're a monster." LYLE WORKMAN Guitar:Todd Rundgren,Jude Cole,Frank Black,Beck "An excellent player,no doubt." DAVE POMEROY Bass:Nashville studio legend "You sound excellent." KEVIN EUBANKS Tonight Show band leader & guitarist "You're playing is fantastic!" STEF BURNS Guitar:Sheila E,Alice Cooper,Huey Lewis & The News "Nice playing my friend." DUANE EDDY Guitar Legend

Location San Dimas, CA - USA

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