Conversation with Louis Michael

[Delbert]

Most of you know that I have been selling the Lous Michael CD "Living For The Music" on E Bay for a few years now. I used to find the CD in the St Louis area once in awhile and was always amazed at it's similiarity in style to SURVIVOR. Little did I know that Louis lived right near me and was now teaching music at the college that is less than a mile from my home.

 

I finally got to meet him and since then we became friends. I learned he had about 60 copies of the CD remaining at his home and we started selling them on E Bay about 4 years ago. Well, there are now only a handful left. Louis stopped by the house this week and we sat down and actually spent about and hour chatting about music and then talking about his career and CD. He told me that back during the tijme the "Living For The Music" CD was recorded, he had been playing with Jim Jamison and Survivor and had played with Jim Peterik as well. Hence the Survivor influence in his music which was written during that time period. I also learned that he had spent time recording in Van McLain's studio (Shooting Star). He described Van's studio as extraordinary heaping lots of praise on it. All and all, it was a very informative and enjoyable discussion and I must admit, very exciting to listen to the stories of all the these, my favorite recording artists and bands with whom he associated. I actually felt privileged to have been given this personal insight.

 

One thing Louis did stress was, no one should go into recording to get rich.......only a very small percentage of bands really make a go of it.......He told me a story Van McLain related upon signing their very first recording contract for their self titled album back in the early 80's. He said the label flew them out to Las Vegas to do some shows and they were living it up, spending money in the lounges on drinks etc etc etc.......lo and behold, the label sent them a bill for all their expenditures which they thought were all on the label's tab!!!! It really hit home for them. He said they had to sell a predetermined number of copies of each album before they received any rewards for their efforts.

 

It was a great conversation and I just thought I'd share the experience with those of you whom I feel would appreciate it.

 

Delbert

[melodicrockoz]

Most of you know that I have been selling the Lous Michael CD "Living For The Music" on E Bay for a few years now. I used to find the CD in the St Louis area once in awhile and was always amazed at it's similiarity in style to SURVIVOR. Little did I know that Louis lived right near me and was now teaching music at the college that is less than a mile from my home.

 

I finally got to meet him and since then we became friends. I learned he had about 60 copies of the CD remaining at his home and we started selling them on E Bay about 4 years ago. Well, there are now only a handful left. Louis stopped by the house this week and we sat down and actually spent about and hour chatting about music and then talking about his career and CD. He told me that back during the tijme the "Living For The Music" CD was recorded, he had been playing with Jim Jamison and Survivor and had played with Jim Peterik as well. Hence the Survivor influence in his music which was written during that time period. I also learned that he had spent time recording in Van McLain's studio (Shooting Star). He described Van's studio as extraordinary heaping lots of praise on it. All and all, it was a very informative and enjoyable discussion and I must admit, very exciting to listen to the stories of all the these, my favorite recording artists and bands with whom he associated. I actually felt privileged to have been given this personal insight.

 

One thing Louis did stress was, no one should go into recording to get rich.......only a very small percentage of bands really make a go of it.......He told me a story Van McLain related upon signing their very first recording contract for their self titled album back in the early 80's. He said the label flew them out to Las Vegas to do some shows and they were living it up, spending money in the lounges on drinks etc etc etc.......lo and behold, the label sent them a bill for all their expenditures which they thought were all on the label's tab!!!! It really hit home for them. He said they had to sell a predetermined number of copies of each album before they received any rewards for their efforts.

 

It was a great conversation and I just thought I'd share the experience with those of you whom I feel would appreciate it.

 

Delbert

 

 

great story Del, many thanks for sharing

did you get around to ask Michael if he has any unreleased tracks, it'd be awesome to see another album by this talented man!

[Delbert]

great story Del, many thanks for sharing

did you get around to ask Michael if he has any unreleased tracks, it'd be awesome to see another album by this talented man!

 

Andy.....actually, I've never thought to ask him if there were any tracks "in the can somewhere". One thing I do know, Louis is now pretty much into Jazz and classical music. He plays some lounges in St Louis on weekends and still teaches music at the college. I'll get around to ask him about any unreleased stuff next time he is over.

 

Del

[66 mustang]

just found this on youtube today. should have known there was a thread somewhere arouund here

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIPtJgZMnUo&feature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KHlWk0c4P0&feature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pE86UoPYoc&feature=related