NEW
YORK (Octone Records) Octone recording artist Michael Tolcher has been
building on his success following the release of his 2004 debut, I Am.
In addition to a rigorous tour itinerary as support for Gavin DeGraw,
Everclear, Sister Hazel and Maroon 5, Tolcher's song, "Sooner or
Later," was chosen as the theme song for the new hit ABC teen drama
life as we know it.
Tolcher has also recently appeared on the
NBC drama American Dreams, and as a guest on Last Call with Carson Daly
and ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. His song, "Mission Responsible," was
chosen as the theme song for the American Lung Association's 100th
anniversary, and is featured in The Association's One Breath Public
Service Announcement, produced in a unique music video-style format
that could be the first of its kind in the non-profit industry.
All
of this exposure, along with an energetic live show that has been
igniting audiences everywhere, has the industry buzzing about Tolcher,
who has now sold almost 50,000 copies of I Am and is beginning to
headline venues nationwide.
A gifted artist in every sense of
the word, Michael Tolcher deftly blends unfailing melodic and organic
pop sensibilities with a deep understanding of soul, R&B and urban
grooves drawn from his Southern upbringing. I Am is an inspired
collection of songs and melodies that muse on life, love and social
consciousness.
Hailing from Lovejoy, Georgia, one of Tolcher's
early aspirations was to be an Olympic athlete. He was well on his way
as a miler, running track at Georgia Tech, until an injury sidelined
his career and caused him to refocus on what he wanted out of life. He
began his musical education while singing in the church choir as a
child and was always playing more than a little guitar here and there.
Honing
his chops everywhere from the Atlanta Summer Olympics to the Atlanta
Federal Penitentiary, where his father was the resident chaplain,
Tolcher broadcast his new musical gospel via a state-issued guitar and
enlightened the local prison community on a weekly basis. It was also
here that he met Dr. Mutulu Shakur, Tupac's father, a political
activist and inmate, who greatly impacted and encouraged Michael's
career. Tolcher was soon convinced to pursue a formal musical career
and embarked on a string of cross-country gigs in clubs, bars and
coffee houses in search of more fans.
After the release of I Am,
Tolcher has shared the stage with the likes of Michelle Branch, Gavin
DeGraw, Virginia Coalition, Pat McGee Band, Crosby, Stills & Nash,
Sister Hazel, Everclear, Tonic, George Clinton & P-Funk, The North
Mississippi All Stars, and Cowboy Mouth.
Tour Dates:
Thu/Jan-27 Boston, MA Leslie College (headline)
Fri/Jan-28 Boston, MA Northeastern University (headline)
Sat/Jan-29 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club (w. Jazz Mandolin Project)
Sun/Jan-30 Albany, NY Northern Lights (headline)
Wed/Feb-02 Killington, VT Picklebarrel (headline)
Thu/Feb-03 Boston, MA Harper's Ferry (headline)
Fri/Feb-04 Plymouth, NH Plymouth St. University (headline)
Sat/Feb-05 Dallas, TX Lakewood Theatre (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Sun/Feb-06 Dallas, TX Lakewood Theatre (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Tue/Feb-08 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Wed/Feb-09 Scottsdale, AZ Venue of Scottsdale (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Thu/Feb-10 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Fri/Feb-11 Claremont, CA Claremont-McKenna College (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Sun/Feb-13 San Diego, CA Cane's Bar and Grill (w. Gavin DeGraw)
Fri/Feb-18 Birmingham, AL WorkPlay (headline)
Sat/Feb-19 Atlanta, GA Roxy (headline)
Mon/Feb-21 Murray, KY Murray State University (w. Ingram Hill)
Tue/Feb-22 Lexington, KY The Dame (w. Ingram Hill)
Wed/Feb-23 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls (w. Carbon Leaf & Ingram Hill)
Fri/Feb-25 Quincy, IL Quincy University (headline)
