Michael Lee Firkins was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1967. Born to musician parents, his father was a lap steel guitarist and his mother a pianist, he started playing acoustic guitar at the young age of eight. Mostly self taught, he also took lessons at a local Omaha music store. Learning the songs of the times, Michael was heavily into Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Black Sabbath.
By 1979 Michael had a Gibson SG and a Fender Princeton Reverb. Electrified, he soon played in local bands and in church from the age of 12 until 18. In 1985 Michael started touring the country in cover tune bands. Frustrated with cover tunes, he eventually went back to Omaha and began teaching guitar.
For the next few years, Michael's musical influences were expanding. Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Albert Lee, and Danny Gatton were among the list of new favorites. As Michael continued to grow musically, he recorded a 5 song demo of instrumental guitar tunes that showcased his guitar playing. The 5 song demo was sent to Guitar Player Magazine talent scout Mike Varney who signed Firkins immediately. A release of his first album was soon to follow.
In 1990, Michael released his self titled debut album on Shrapnel Records. This release showcased Michael's signature sound of rock blended with country, blues and jazz. With the strength of this album, and the help of an international advertising campaign from YAMAHA GUITARS , Michael's first release sold more than 100,000 copies. This well received album also landed Michael the winner of the "BEST NEW TALENT" reader's poll in Guitar for the Practicing Musician and also runner up in Guitar Player Magazine's "BEST NEW TALENT" readers poll. He was also hailed as "ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PLAYERS OF THE NEXT TEN YEARS" by Guitar for the Practicing Musician. As Michael's music was also popular in Europe, Firkins won the Edison Award, which is Holland's version of a Grammy.
Michael went on to release 3 more records for the Shrapnel label. The second album, The Howling Iguanas in 1994, (Blues Bureau International) was a blues rock record echoing past influences. The third, Chapter Eleven, followed in 1995. This record had even more diverse music styles including a cover of Duke Ellington's "The Mooche". Cactus Cruz was the last recording for Shrapnel in 1996. It's a blues rock explosion of guitar where Firkins plays the theme from Sanfred and Son!
In 1997, Firkins recorded Decomposition. An album of mostly covers, Firkins continues to retrace his footsteps searching for the reasons behind his influences. Decomposition features Sonny Reese with guest spots on lead vocals, recreating the original blues rock sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "I Know A Little" and Johnny Winter's "Still Alive and Well". Firkins' renditions of Henry Mancini's "Pink Panther" and Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression" make this album a worthy tribute.
The next release for Firkins is an all star tribute to Sly And The Family Stone featuring Firkins on guitar as well as Stanton Moore from the band Galactic on drums, Charlie Hitchcock, guitarist of Particle, Chuck Prada of the Black Eyed Peas on percussion, and Eric Levy, Kai Eckhardt, and Fareed Hague of Garajmahall.
Michael's current release "Blacklight Sonatas" features Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta) on Drums, Kai Eckhardt on Bass, as well as guest appearances by Matt Abts (drums,Gov't Mule), Andy Hess (bass,Gov't Mule), Chuck Leavell (keys,Rolling Stones), Michael Bland (drums,Prince) and Steve Evans (Bass). Lookout for Michael's 2008 release "SINCE 1967" featuring Matt Abts and Andy Hess (Gov't Mule) and Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones) on Magnatude.
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CD DETAILS
Catalog #MT-2306-2 Release Date: October 23, 2007
1. One Big Punch (Crying Stacks)
2. Two Guns Left
3. Black Betty
4. I-680 Waltz
5. The Horse and the Fly
6. Now's Your Time Blues
7. Theme From Sanford and Son - (The Streetbeater)
8. Took the Words Right Outta My Mouth
9. Blacklight Sonata
V/A: JAM ON GUITARS
Catalog # MT-2318-2
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1."Took The Words Right Outta My Mouth" – Michael Lee Firkins
2. "Free In The Park" – Steve Morse
3. "Scorch" – Alex Skolnick Trio - Alex Skolnick with Charlie Hunter
4. "Dance To The Music" – The Clinton Administration – Charlie Hitchcock, Fareed Haque, Michael Lee Firkins
5. "Gulab Jammin" – The Fareed Haque Group – Fareed Haque
6. "Downside Up" – Oz Noy with Mike Stern
7. "Lake Shore Drive" – OHMphrey – Chris Poland & Jake Cinninger
8. "Flashlight" – The Clinton Administration – Phil Upchurch
9. "Dump Truck" – Robert Walter's 20th Congress – Will Bernard
10. "Rome" – Tishamingo – Cameron Williams and Jess Franklin
11. "Disdots" – Ozric Tentacles – Ed Wynne
12. "Starlite Jamboree" – Bill Cutler – Jerry Garcia and Mark Karan
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Catalog # MT-2303-2
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1. I Want To Take You Higher 5:47
2. Family Affair 7:05
3. Stand! 4:34
4. Dance To the Music 4:32
5. Everybody Is a Star 3:33
6. Hot Fun In the Summertime 6:25
7. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) 5:35
8. You Can Make It If You Try 5:27
9. Sing a Simple Song 7:15
10. Everday People 3:29
V/A: JAM ON GUITARS
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION: TAKE YOU HIGHER
