His brother Rob got a guitar for Christmas and Michael at the age of 13 started playing it too. It wasn't until 1971 he heard Rob's friend Geoff played "Dance of the Reed Flutes" from the "Nutcracker Suite" on classic guitar. He said, "That's what I want to do!". Michael spent a year learning the basics and the next two years learning classic guitar from Miguel Bernal (a student of Segovia) in Tempe, AZ. Shortly after that, he became interested in the lute. He traveled to North Carolina and made his own 15 course Baroque lute.

In the mid seventies Michael had an opportunity to see the famous Jazz guitarist Joe Pass in concert. Afterwards with Michael's classmates and jazz teacher they all went out for an after hours dinner with him. Michael says, "The only thing Joe wanted to talk about was what everyone else was and wanted to be doing".

Michael also spent some time with bass player Stanley Clark from the Chick Corea Band. His sister-in-law some how got him over to her house after their show and we all had a great time. During the last part of his college days, Michael was offered to play Spanish guitar with a flamenco dance group. He toured the west coast in grade schools performing a Spanish heritage show. He says in the 70's he played all the hotels and resorts in the Phoenix area. In 1979 Michael opened for Herbie Hancock in Phoenix, AZ. This was actually a very strong prediction of his. He didn't know just who or where or when, but that he would open for some band. Michael says, 'Someone is going to walk in here (The Point of View Resort) and ask me to open for a band". It turned out that a friend of his that worked at The Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. She left a message at the front desk. It said, "Good news, call ASAP". The concert went great even though Herbie's equipment really screwed up but did party with the band afterwards. Michael also opened for Tom Scott in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. and, much later for Scott Cossu in Portland, Oregon.

In late 1987 Michael moved his family to Vancouver, Washington, to pursue his music career by strong and loving suggestion from his wife, Jackie. In 1988 he released his first record titled, "Pretend Dreams:Meeting" with producer David Chu. He began teaching at a local music store and at his home studio. In 1991, he released, "Windows" and, "Letters to a Friend" and started getting airplay from the area radio stations and in particular, KINK radio in Portland, Oregon. In November, 1996 Michael received a CMAA Golden Eagle Award for "Songwriter Of The Year" for the song "Lights of the Big 'Ol City' " with co-writer Kenyon Mathews. In 2000, Michael released his fourth CD, "Beyond Words". KINK radio chose six tracks from "Beyond Words" for their airplay. KINK radio release every two years a compilation disc with a selected group of songs from one of their very popular shows called "Lights Out". Michael's song "Lullaby for Jacqueline" from his CD "Letters to a Friend" is featured on "Lights Out 9" and the song "Rendezvous" from his CD "Beyond Words" is featured on "Lights Out 10". All proceeds go to the Oregon Food Bank. You can hear samples of all the songs at www.cdbaby.com and at www.OutoftheBlueRecords.com. Michael composes for commercial purposes and uses his own recording studio as well as others for his projects.

February 14th 2004 "Amor" was released. A complete production by Michael. "Amor" is a wonderful collection of 13 Latin love songs arranged for solo guitar. Michael just released his first Christmas CD called "Acoustic Christmas". An array of styles and moods to capture the holiday spirit. Michael is recording original compositions for his latest release, "Together As One". "Together As One" is a collection of 15 special songs written and performed at weddings he has performed at. Each song is specially written and titled with a combination of the bride and grooms first names. "Together As One" should be released late 2008. Michael's music is used in satellite radio, documentaries, retail stores, radio and TV commercials, on hold messages, massage and medical practitioners (Dentists, Chiropractors, etc.) commercial and public radio. Also, "Come Back to Sorrento" from the "Amor" CD was placed in the sitcom called "Alice, I Think" airing in Canada. Michael's music is used in Britain, Europe and Japan as well as other parts of the world. His music can be found at itunes, rhapsody, emusic and other top download sites. Michael's site at SMS.ac and musicforte.com has all of his music. Michael did benefits for, e.g. The Inter-Faith Treasure House, The Johnny Streeter Foundation, volunteering his music at local hospitals and more.

Michael currently teaches guitar and bass at his home studio in Vancouver, WA. and operates his label, "Out of the Blue Records" and performs concerts. Michael is a member of ASCAP and a voting member of The Recording Academy.

Michael has a true passion in his music writing, recording, performance, teaching and his family devotion. Michael does all his own management and booking at his home studio in Vancouver, Washington.