New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, The Eagles, Billy Joel, Jeff Lynne, Super tramp - 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 from his musical heroes. It opened up a creative outlet that allowed him to pour his heart and soul onto a piece of paper written in the make shift studio of his family home. Here he taught himself the guitar and piano and in those early years his future career path as a songwriter was moulded.
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.
National airplay, great reviews, industry and media 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 front man
Peter Howarth, among others.
2015 will see the release of '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.
