classical composers, folksingers, jazz singers, Motown, the golden age of American Song, the music of John Philip Sousa, Steve Reich, black and white movies of Hollywood's heyday, Deadwood, Charles Dickens, Iris Murdoch, Paramahansa Yogananda, The Book of Psalms, songbirds, pine trees, swimming holes, family and friends, the list goes on...
I started playing the piano at a very early age and fantasized becoming a concert pianist, until the hormones kicked in. At age 14, I discovered AM radio, Motown; and at 16, I found out about folk singers, cigarettes, and the guitar. I started a folksinging group called the Bleecker Street Singers. We wore matching plaid vests. When I was 18 my best friend and I ran away to New York City. We slept in Washington Square Park for two weeks, trying to score (exactly what I'm not sure... life, love, art... drugs???) Somehow I managed to graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a member of the Red Clay Ramblers for many years, appearing in DIAMOND STUDS and Sam Shepard's A LIE OF THE MIND, recording nine albums, and touring the US, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, Africa and the Middle East.
After leaving the Ramblers, I moved to NYC and got involved in more theatre, both as a writer and performer. Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Mary Murfitt and I put together OIL CITY SYMPHONY and it ran for almost two years (at the Circle in the Square Theatre on the corner of MacDougal and Bleecker Streets, thank you very much!) and won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics' Circle awards. Other Off-Broadway credits include SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, RADIO GALS (co-author and original cast member, LA Ovation award), and WILDER (co-author and original cast). Regional credits include LUNCH AT THE PICCADILY(co-writer and original cast), and SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING(arranger and additional music and lyrics).
I've worked in theatres across the country, including the Pasadena Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Mass. I once helped plant crepe myrtles along I-95 as part of Lady Bird Johnson's BEAUTIFY AMERICA project. It was hot work in the middle of the "Summer of Love", and after two weeks I got fired for leaning on my shovel.
But I did help make original cast albums for OIL CITY SYMPHONY (DRG Records) & RADIO GALS (Varese Sarabande). I've also released three solo albums: FISHING FOR AMOUR, WAGONER'S LAD, and SHINING DOWN -- also LUNCH AT THE PICCADILLY, a recording of songs of the musicalization of Clyde Edgerton's novel by the same name.
Just stopped by to hear "The Undertaker's Friend" and, as usual, couldn't leave the page till I'd heard all the songs on the site again. Later I'll have to go to my car and stick in a CD. 'Bout time for a new one, guy! Hope you're well.
Hiya again Mike! - You've a great page here, and I love your music! Hey- remember when I was fresh out of my teens and working for Yates P&H as a plumber and came over to your house to fix a sink, but spent half my time bugging you with questions about the Ramblers, your baby grand piano, and a lap-size Irish Harp you had in there? That was ages ago. Remember? I was wearing a blue uniform. It was on that road my grandpa is buried on. I was in a big white truck. So now you remember? ;-) - Go raibh míle maith agat as do cairdeas anseo ar mo leathanach nua ceoil! (Thanks a million for your friendship here on my NEW MUSIC PAGE!) - Some songs from my all-instrumental album, "AULD CHRISTMAS" are up now, and songs from other albums will be up soon. - I really hope you'll enjoy the tunes I've uploaded so far, and all the ones still yet to come. - I'll be making steady daily improvements to the page, featuring music from the past 25 years of recording my Hammered Dulcimers, as well as new work that has yet to be recorded. - Please help us spread the word that I'm back from "retirement," and I'm here on MySpace. Síocháin leat- (Peace be with you-) Pádraig + personal myspace page: www.myspace.com/celtmann = My *New* MUSIC PAGE: www.myspace.com/padraigmichaelmann + (Gaeilge/Irish Gaelic above) +
Hiya Mike! Go raibh míle maith agat as do cairdeas, agus bionn tú anseo ar an "myspace." Is máith liom dó leathanach é agus dó ceoil é. Ádh mhór. (Thanks immensely for your friendship and for being here on Myspace. I really like your page and your music. All the best.) Síocháin leat- (Peace be with you-) Pádraig + (Gaeilge, or "Irish Gaelic" above) + +
Harry just asked about you today! Like I EVER get to see you or hear from you....Hope all is well with you. Keep in touch sometime. Collin's had to drop guitar for the moment, school, soccer, piano, social life, not much time in there...especially for me! Miss everyone!!! -a
Hey stranger...back in the Pittsburgh here. Saw two of your local bands last week. Squirrel Nut Zippers and Firecracker Jazz Band...was like going back in time...until I opened my eyes.
Mike, Tom Asley's and my Dad is in your song "Diamond Lil". That song reminds me of Godfrey Daniels. I am so moved by the references to dad and Diamond Studs. Love ya-- Jess
Hey Mike...Harry keeps asking me if I see you know that he knows we know each other! I think my son gets preferential treatment at the MS...ha ha. Collin started guitar from someone else (sadly) - maybe you can be his 'guest guitar' coach, by proxy, when you are in town, since you travel more than me!
Guess what? I am opening up a store in TYRO! Me and Andy. Getting on the band-wagon...since Subway came to town.
Hey Mike!
Glad to see you're on MySpace! You and Miz Nancy's band on the same week! This will be a great way to keep up. Come back to town and hang out. Next time I'll have a corkscrew!
