Sacred Ground - Musique

Michael Grew Up In A Multi-Racial Neighborhood On The South Side Of Chicago. In All The Diversity His Large Family Did What They Could To Ensure That They Didn't Become An Invisible Indian. His Cherokee Ancestors Go Back To The Trail Of Tears And Earlier. Prior To The Forced Removal Many Cherokees Moved To S.E. Missouri And N.E. Arkansas. Mike And His Sisters And Brother Are Only The Second Generation Not To Be Born In S.E. Missouri. They Have Been Told The Stories Passed Down From Generation To Generation And Encouraged To Stay Close To Their Culture. He Is Reminded By His Mother And Great Uncle And By The Words Of His Grandmother And Great Aunt Who Have Walked On Not To Forget The Stories And Struggles Of His People And All Indigneous People. From These Stories Are The Basis Of His Music And Songs Along With His Own Life Experiences. As Part Of Those Experiences Mike Has Lived In Many Places Thru His Life But Now Lives In The Great Northwoods Of Northwest Wisconsin. He Stays Close To His Family Friends To The Stories. And To His Beliefs. " There Are No Coincidences Everything Is For A Reason." I Came From A Musical Family Where Almost Everyone Was Self Taught. I Grew Up Listening To Johnny Cash Loretta Lynn And All The Popular Country Music Artists Of The Day. As A Teenager My Musical Tastes Expanded To Include Rock Blues And R&B. By My Early Twenties I Started Writing My Own Songs And Through The Years Have Refined My Style And Approach To Music. My Influences And Inspirations Are Broad And Varied But Some Of Who Include Buddy Red Bow Johnny Cash Buffy St.Marie Neil Young And Bill Miller. One Of My Favorite Hobbies Is Native Style Drum Making. I Made My First Drum When I Was Eight Years Old With The Help Of My Grandmother. Years Later I Came Back To Native Drums And Now Make Hand Drums And Old Pow-Wow Style Drums Which Are Logs That I Hollow Out And Lace Various Types Of Rawhide Heads To. The Native Drum That You Hear On This CD Seven Was Made By Me. My Feelings For The Drum Are Strong . The Tree Is A Gift From The Creator. It Is Part Of The Balance And Stays True To It's Purpose. The Drum Is A Sacred Vessel That Should Not To Be Mistreated Or Disrespected. It Is The Heartbeat Of The People. read less