New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The first single from Michael's eponymous debut album is a 'double-A side'. 'The
Radio Years' is a paean to his long-term mistress... the radio. The track features The Hollies'
Peter Howarth on backing vocals, guitar supremo Phil Palmer and ace saxophonist Ed Barker (George Michael), who recently topped the US charts. 'Back To Work' tells the timely story of a week in the life of the perennial commuter, ideal accompaniment for the New Year's return to the treadmill.
McCartney, Dylan, Steely Dan, The Eagles, Billy Joel, Jeff Lynne,
Supertramp - all legends and some of the greatest songwriters of our time. Michael Armstrong grew up living and breathing every note, every chord change and every lyric of his musical heroes. It opened up a creative outlet that allowed him to pour his heart and soul onto a piece of paper in the make shift studio of his family home. It was here that he taught himself the guitar and piano and in those early years his future career path as a songwriter was moulded.
'Music is my first love' - Jeff Lynne
'The songs are my lexicon, I believe the songs' - Bob Dylan
'One of the biggest thrills for me still is sitting down with a guitar or piano and just out of nowhere trying to make a song happen' - Paul McCartney
'I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity' - Billy Joel
'What to do with something you're given, and how do you transform it into something worthwhile' - Donald Fagen, Steely Dan
Flash forward 20 years and the quotes of the famous songwriters from above still echoed in his head. They were driving him as he managed the family construction company by day and toured the gig circuit by night, but as he married, had his children and worked flat out in building up a successful company he could not shake off the songs and the born gift of story telling he was clearly destined for.
Then things changed…….forced to close the company amidst family ill health and economic turmoil, Michael was presented with an opportunity that would see his life alter beyond all recognition. It was now or never. A chance meeting with his future manager sparked a series of events that would lead to the release of his 2012 debut EP and literally take him from the building site to Buckingham Palace, where he found himself at the Queen's Jubilee Concert side by side with his musical idols including Paul McCartney,
Elton John and Stevie Wonder.
Great reviews, industry and radio reaction, plus another golden opportunity enabled Michael to pursue the dream of his own album, and immersing himself in the music business, he was able to present his songs and gain access to some of the finest players around, making this a debut album like none before……
Co-produced by music maestro Keith Bessey (Elton John, 10cc, Cliff Richard, The Ramones), the album includes guest appearances by many guitar legends including the iconic Albert Lee, Elliott Randall (Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers) and Phil Palmer (Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Robbie Williams), plus the amazing vocals of The Hollies'
Peter Howarth, among others.
2015 will also see the release of the album 'Michael Armstrong'. It's been a long awaited labour of love but it was certainly worth it! 12 songs of quality and beauty, written with intensely sensitive and intelligent aplomb, alongside 2 very special cover versions. From the autobiographical love song to the wireless 'The
Radio Years', to the tongue-in-cheek country ballad 'The
Innocence Of Men', from the commuter train chaos of 'Back To Work', to the wry look at immigration 'Johannesburg', Michael's unique lyrical wit and honesty lift these memorable tunes onto a level rarely heard before. These are songs that everyone can relate to. These are songs that tell a story. These are songs that will last a lifetime.
TOUR DATES 2015
**Wednesday, 14th January 2015 (Special guest with
Peter Howarth)
THE MARLOWE THEATRE STUDIO, CANTERBURY, KENT
**Saturday, 17th January 2015 (Special guest with
Peter Howarth)
THE STABLES, MILTON KEYNES
**Saturday, 7th February 2015 (Special guest to Beverley Craven)
EPSOM PLAYHOUSE, EPSOM, SURREY
**Saturday, 28th February 2015 (Special guest to
Peter Howarth)
THE DUGDALE CENTRE, ENFIELD
**Saturday, 2nd May 2015 (Special guest to
Peter Howarth))
CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE, BATH
** Saturday, 9th May 2015 (Special guest to
Peter Howarth)
EPSOM PLAYHOUSE MYERS STUDIO THEATRE
** Saturday, 16th May 2015 (Special guest to
Peter Howarth)
THE ACOUSTIC TEAROOM, CUMBRIA
**Thursday, 28th May, 2015
GALLERY DIFFERENT, LONDON
**Sunday, 14th June, 2015
THE CAVERN CLUB (solo with band) -
Beatles stage & Live Lounge
**Saturday, 20th June, 2015 (Special guest to
Peter Howarth)
BRAINTREE ARTS CENTRE, BRAINTREE
**Wednesday, 22nd July,2015
CHEQUER MEAD ARTS MEAD ARTS CENTRE - EAST GRINSTEAD
Friday, 25th September, 2015
THE CELLARS, PORTSMOUTH
**Saturday, 17th October, 2015
EPSOM PLAYHOUSE, EPSOM, SURREY
www.michaelarmstrongmusic.co.uk
