New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Michael Lewis Official Website) - When Michael Lewis cut tracks for his latest album, he didn't realize that he'd be finishing the project from a studio near a Rocky Mountain ski resort. As a Nashville session guitarist, producer, and artist since the mid-90's, Michael kept busy with shows and studio work in the
Music City until returning to the West in 2008.
Michael released a new music video entitled "Sky Blue" (subtitled: Wyoming Winds) with the classic mid-life crisis theme. "The video is reality-based fiction," Michael says. Sky Blue is the story of a man who leaves the corporate city life and returns home to the country. "Originally the song was mostly fiction, but after moving to Spokane, my story became similar to what I had written in the song. So I made some tweaks to the lyrics and created a video to go along with it.
The video features footage captured from Central Washington to the foothills west of Mt. Spokane and as far north as Elk, Washington. It was filmed entirely by Michael's 14-year old son Jordan and features Michael's daughters Christina (who spills coffee on him during the video) and Bridgette (who sang background vocals on the recording). Michael's wife Marjie became a stunt driver for the endeavor, driving while footage was filmed from the passenger side of the vehicle.
Several local Spokane businesses donated film locations for the video. One scene was filmed inside the Century 21 Real Estate office in downtown Spokane, courtesy of Mike Bass - who sold Michael and his family the property they now live on. Michael's insurance agent, Eric Thoorsell, pulled a favor from Scott Wenzel Jr. at MetLife Insurance and enabled Michael to film a scene at his cubicle desk.
As a local performer, Michael played over 70 shows this year including appearances as guest guitarist for the Spokane Jazz Orchestra's 4th of July show and guitarist for Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
"I love the outdoors" Michael says. On weekdays during the winter, Michael skis on nearby Mt. Spokane. On weekends the Michael Lewis Acoustic Duo performs at the ski resort or one of many venues across the Northwest. Michael also returned to his roots as a cowboy, training horses in his spare time. His horse, Ben, makes an appearance in the music video.
Michael won a Dodge truck in 2009 courtesy of Big R Stores and the Tony Lama Boot Company. Executives from Tony Lama flew out to Mead, Washington to award the truck to Michael and his wife - a silver truck just days before their 25th wedding anniversary. That truck became the featured vehicle in the Sky Blue music video. Michael also wears the Tony Lama boots he won in almost every scene.
Michael's incredible talent as a guitarist landed him endorsements with seven major companies including Taylor Guitars. Michael features a Taylor 914 Limited Edition guitar in the video. The electric guitars showcased in the Sky Blue video are part of MIchael's own guitar line, Michael Lewis Guitars (MichaelLewisGuitars.com)
Watch the Sky Blue music video at youtube.com/MichaelLewisMusic. Michael entered Sky Blue in a Keith Urban song contest and you can vote for Sky Blue at OurStage.com/profile/michaellewis1
