Gary's style can best be described as guitar oriented country music maintaining a balance between modern and traditional while exploring relationships and the intricate journey of life sung with soulful passion with his vocals winning several awards in Na

14 MP3 Songs in this album (49:26) !
Related styles: COUNTRY: Contemporary Country, COUNTRY: Traditional Country

People who are interested in George Strait Garth Brooks Eagles should consider this download.


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GARY LEE MICHAEL
BIO
In the first year and a half of his professional career, Gary Lee Michael, was nominated for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year and Independent Songwriter of the Year by the MIRL (Major Independent Record Labels Association of Nashville) as well as the CMA âEagle Awardâ. Gary also won the EIA (Entertainer Indie Association of Nashville) award, was inducted into the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame and given an honorary membership to the CMA. In 1991, Gary was also appointed States Representative of the Southeast Region for the CMA.

Garyâs first single was âDaddyâs Little Girlâ, a song that touched the hearts of people all over the world. This was evidenced when âDaddyâs Little Girlâ became the most requested song for three weeks in Ireland. First lady Barbara Bush even sent a card thanking Gary for writing such a touching song. Radio personalities responded with great praise as well and to this day people still ask Gary about the song. The video was shown on CMT, âShot Gun Redâ, and âThe Morning Showâ in Birmingham Alabama. âDaddyâs Little Girlâ was followed by âWish You Didnât Love Him The Way I Love Youâ and a third single entitled âHometown Boyâ that soared into the top 20 reaching #19 on the Billboard charts and #8 on the Cash Box charts.

Garyâs most exciting moment in country music came when he looked at the charts and saw his song âHome Town Boyâ at #19 with a bullet and Garth Brooks âTwo of a Kindâ at #20 with Vince Gilâs âPocket Full of Goldâ at #18.

Little did Gary know that several weeks later his promising career would come to a screeching haltâ¦

Gary began playing and singinâ in the church at age four, tutored by his parents Roy and Mildred Sikes of Matthews North Carolina. Roy and Mildred played eleven musical instruments between themselves. Later Gary would master the guitar, bass guitar, piano and lap steel with proficiency. Musical talent had been bred into him.

At sixteen, Gary started playing bass guitar for a gospel group, which is when he began to write songs. Gary had a penchant for ballads and songs that he felt were meaningful. In his own words Gary recalls âI love up-tempo songs but my heart is in the balladsâ¦â Gary was a shy boy and a little afraid to ask girls out. With the help of his guitar he overcame his shyness⦠âThere was this shopping center near where I grew up. Everybody would ride through cruising, and just look at each other, but hardly anyone would ever pull over and talk. One night I was about out of gas, so I pulled over and got out and sat on the hood of my car with my guitar. Next thing I knew, there were girls everywhere. It was so funny, all the were still riding by looking and here I was, surrounded by all the girls.â

One evening while Gary was playing a song he had written, a man walked up to him inquiring as to whether he had other songs. After playing a few, Walter Bailes introduced himself. The Bailes Brothers vocal group were a Nashville staple, and second only to Roy Acuff at the Grand Ole Opry until they left to promote the Louisiana Hay Ride. Walter Bailes was also a hit songwriter having written many of the Kitty Wells hits. Walter took an interest and told Gary he might be able to do something with his music. With Walters help Gary got on âThe Country Boy Eddie Showâ, a syndicated television show. Tammy Wynette had gotten her start on his show. Walter also help Gary get on Ernest Tubbâs âThe Midnight Jamboreeâ a radio show out of Nashville airing on WSM FM radio. Gary also secured a guest spot on âThe Grand Ole Opry Warm-up Showâ.

Gary performed and held company with some of the biggest names in country including Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Porter Wagoner and Ronnie Milsap.

Six days away from finalizing his deal with Warner Bros, Gary suffered a near fatal car crash. He remembers to this day, the sounds of the crash and fighting to free himself from the car before an explosionâ¦Heâd lost it all under the wheels of a tractor trailer.

Garyâs new self- titled release on indie label Fires of August will be summer 2008. Lyrical themes and melodies for a sophomore effort are already flowing fast and furious as he prepares to promote Gary Lee Michael. His never-ending faith in God and his passion for music have brought Garyâs musical journey full circle. And Garyâs now expressing his thoughts in song with an even deeper meaning and enjoyinâ every minute.

PRESS RELEASE
For successful event with 8,000 tickets sold!

Hot Times in the Danger Zone!
Charlotte Firefighters Association Fundraising Concert
Cricket Arena April 26th 8pm
with Gary Lee Michael: Hometown Boy

Charlotte Firefighters Association host their annual spring fundraising concert April 26th at Cricket Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event raises money for fire victims, MDA, the Victory Junction Gang Camp for terminally ill and chronically ill children as well as worthwhile firefighter programs like Safety Smoke Houses used to teach children how to react if they're in a house fire, updated equipment such as 4 Thermal Imaging Devices acquired for use in locating missing persons and hot spots as well as for guiding firefighters through smoke filled areas plus programs to benefit firefighters themselves and their families by fighting for stronger laws to prevent injury and death in the line of duty, vision care for firefighters, helping firefighters deal with the stresses faced daily through stress management and employee assistance programs.

The April 26th event will feature Monroe North Carolinaâs own hometown boy, country artist Gary Lee Michael blazing through album cuts like âHot Timesâ and âDanger Zoneâ. Heâll also perform a special tribute to firefighters entitled âWhat Does He Seeâ.

In 1991 Gary Lee Michael charted several singles in both the Cashbox and Billboard country top 20. He also received numerous industry accolades, all achieved in the first year and a half of his professional career, including being nominated for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year and Independent Songwriter of the Year by the MIRL (Major Independent Record Labels Association) in Nashville, as well as the CMA "Eagle Award", winning the EIA (Entertainer Indie Association of Nashville) Male Vocalist of the Year award, being inducted into the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame and being given an honorary membership to the CMA. Gary was only days away from finalizing his major label debut when he suffered a near fatal car crash that has left him waiting in the shadows for the past 17 years. Favorite son Gary Lee Michael, has emerged with a new CD slated for release the week of the firefighters event on indie label Fires of August out of Los Angeles. Gary wholeheartedly supports firefighters across the country. He salutes their bravery and hopes to bring awareness of their programs and charity work to the public. Gary Lee Michael is available for interviews and promotional performances in support of the April 26th event. Tickets are $22.00 and can be purchased by calling
704-331-9075 or through Ticketmaster. Juice Newton is also slated to appear.
www.GaryLeeMichael.com
www.Sonicbids.com/GaryLeeMichael

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Greg Philippi 323-829-1117
Greg@FiresofAugust.com

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Charlotte Observer Thursday, March 14, 1991
Weddington Singer Chats with Travis
by Gene Stowe
Staff Writer

WEDDINGTON-Gary Lee Michael had his picture taken with fellow Union County native and country singer Randy Travis on a visit to Nashville last weekend.
"He was asking stuff about home." said Michael, a singer-songwriter who was attending a country radio seminar. "Nothing's changed that rascal. He's just stayed the same person."
Michael, who started recording at his own studio in Weddington, is trying to follow Travis' skyrocketing career in country music.
Since Michael's first national single, "Daddy's Little Girl," reached No. 89 on the national Top 100 in 1989, he has signed with Capitol Records, appeared on "The Bo Travis Music Special" with his promoter Walter Bailes, and released a video of the song.
Michael released "Wish You Didn't Love Him" last March. The song reached No. 65 on the national charts and No. 8 among independent artists, and he appeared on TV's "Country Boy Eddie Show" and radio's "Midnight Jamboree."
"Hometown Boy," which Michael released last December, has reached No.3 among independent artists. He was inducted into the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame in January.
"I still can't believe it," Michael said. "I was always so shy that I tried to use songs to tell people how I felt.
"It's got to be the next best feeling to being in love."

FEATURE ARTICLE:
Charlotte Observer Thursday March 7, 1991
Local singerâs album climbing music charts
by Lesley Cuthbertson
Staff Writer

WEDDINGTON-"Hometown Boy" giving a local country singer/songwriter taste of stardom.
And Weddington resident Gary Lee Michael likes the flavor.
"Hometown Boy," released in mid-December, continues to climb the Country Music Association (CMA) National 100 Chart.
Last week, Michael received a phone call on the song's latest move to No. 25. Among CMA Independent artists the song is holding the No. 3 position.
"I just sat back-I couldn't believe it." Michael said. "I was just flipping out."
Saying he has little self confidence but a ton of faith, Micahel said the more work he does to "make it" in the music world makes him realize the talent God has given him. "I know I couldn't do it withouthis help; guidance," he said...Without his help I wouldn't be where I'm at today."
For the 31-year-old musician, "at" comprises several country music television shows, such as "Midnight Jamboree" and "Country Boy Eddie Show," the chance to open for country music greats Randy Travis, Lee Greenwood and Porter Wagner, and gracing the cover of two issues of CMA's National Chart Magazine (March 3, March 10)
"The good Lord blessed me when I got in this business," Michael said with a smile.
Each of Michael's national releases have been songs written by him in the studio behind his Weddington home - Music Lab Studios. It is there he has been working on his next release. Michael revealed, the release - expected out this month-will either be "Birmingham" or "There's Never Been a Time I Didn't Love You." The songs are characteristic of Michael's unique style marked by gospel, pop/rock and country

Gary Lee Michael
Chronology

1989 Dec GLM releases singles âDaddyâs Little Girlâ and âWish You Didnât Love Himâ

1990 Jan First two GLM releases hit national charts; âDaddyâs Little Girlâ charts at #89 and âWish You Didnât Love Himâ charts at #65 on Cashbox Magazineâs Country Charts.

1990 Feb GLM is contacted by Capitol Records who express interest in his music.

1990 Mar GLM receives an honorary membership to the
Country Music Association by Southeast Division President Don Fortenroy.

1990 Jul GLM appears on the âErnest Tubb Midnight
Jamboreeâ hosted by Justin Tubb in Nashville on WSM-AM and WSM-FM radio.

1990 Jul GLM also performs for the Grand Ole Opry warm-up
show broadcast on WSM-AM & WSM-FM radio.

1990 Aug GLM performs on the âCountry Boy Eddie Showâ,
broadcast on Birmingham Alabamaâs ABC television affiliate WBRC-TV 6 and is asked to return and co-host.

1990 Aug GLM subsequently appears on âThe Morning Showâ
hosted by Tony Chiles and Gail Glasco also broadcast on Birmingham Alabamaâs ABC television affiliate WBRC-TV 6.

1990 Sep GLM is nominated for Country Music Associationâs Eagle Award for âBest New Artistâ and âMale Vocalist of the Yearâ.

1990 Sep GLM opens for Randy Travis at the Country Music
Associationâs Bash at the Birmingham Civic Center in Birmingham Alabama.

1990 Sep GLM is appointed states representative for the
Atlantic Coast Region of the Country Music Association.

1990 Oct GLM establishes Christmas for Kids in North
Carolina in an effort to bring Christmas gifts to those less fortunate.

1990 Dec GLM performs on the âBo Travis Country Music
Christmas Specialâ with Patty Loveless airing as a syndicated television special in Virginia, Florida, North & South Carolina and in other east coast markets.

1991 Jan GLM is inducted into the Alabama Country Music
Hall of Fame along with Hank Williams Jr. and Randy Travis among others.

1991 Feb GLM opens for Garth Brooks at two shows,
WSOC-FM Charlotteâs Birthday Bash at the Union County Fair Grounds in Charlotte North Carolina and again in Nashville during Fanfare Week.

1991 Mar GLM is rated the #8 Independent Artist in the U.S. and 4 other countries in Cashbox Magazine.

1991 Apr GLM is awarded Male Vocalist of the Year by the
EIA(Entertainer Indie Association in Nashville).

1991 Apr GLM Co-hosts the Ken Linker Cable television
Variety Showcase from Charlotte North Carolina.

1991 May GLM is awarded Most Promising Male Vocalist of
the Year by the MIRL (Major Independent Record Labels) Association in Nashville.

1991 Jul While returning from a late night studio session and only days away from finalizing a deal with Warner Bros Records, GLM has a head-on collision with an 18 Wheelerâ¦at that time thinking this was the end of his dream.

2007 GLM awakens his thoughts and starts writing and recording once again. GLM expands on the relationship he established with West Coast Producer/Music Executive Greg Philippi and finalizes a CD of new material for debut...the dream lives on.