QRD – How old were you when you first realized you wanted to be a professional musician?

Michael – Pre-teen possibly, but certainly when I was a high school kid & discovered that I actually had some talent.

QRD – What are a few highlights of your musical career?

Michael – We took small tours from Portland to Los Angeles & back, & we’ve done shows with local luminaries & a slot or two opening for the likes of the Fixx & Moxy Fruvous.  Those were exciting times.

QRD – At what age did you decide you wanted to become a father?

Michael – I was 39.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your family has had on your career?

Michael – Well, it’s slowed us down considerably, because it is more important to us to be good parents than it is pretending we’re rock stars.  So, rehearsals are few & far between.  Gigs happen infrequently & locally.  The songs keep coming though.  We carve out time every month for songwriting.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your career has had on your family?

Michael – I can’t think of any negative ones.  I feel it in my bones, though, that it’s a positive thing for a child to be surrounded by music & musical instruments.

QRD – Have your children effected the music you make &/or listen to?

Michael – I don’t think so.  But fatherhood has worked its way into a lyric or two.

QRD – Have you had problems with the lack of steady money from a musical career providing the security you feel necessary in your household?

Michael – We have always supplemented our musical “career” with what is known in the trade as a “day job.”  & mine happens to be one that I love.  I am a high school English teacher.

QRD – Given the limitations having a family has on being a touring musician, would you have toured more earlier in life if you’d known?

Michael – Probably not.  Or maybe so.  I just don’t feel any regrets in that department.

QRD – Do you think being a father or a musician has a greater impact on your community?

Michael – Being a father, I think, has far more impact, in that I am sure my son will touch as many lives as my music has, if not more, & in more significant ways.

QRD – Would you rather see your son eventually become musicians or parents?

Michael – I don’t want to impose my wishes upon my son.  If he’d rather be a musician than a parent, or vice versa, that is his decision to make.  Maybe it is that he can successfully do both, as I am trying to do.

QRD – Both family & music seem like things that will take up as much of your time as you’re willing to put in.  How do you end up dividing your time?

Michael – I find time for music, enough to satisfy that part of me that can’t go without.  I don’t consciously or deliberately divide the time.  We make time for a rehearsal if a gig is coming & we make time to write once a month almost religiously; but ultimately taking care of our boy comes first, but not at the cost of the other thing.

QRD – What does your son think of your music?

Michael – Our son, Emerson, is 3 & a half.  He recognizes our music, requests it sometimes, can sing along with the words.  Later, he’ll probably think we’re fuddy duddies.  But for now, we have his ear!

QRD – Do you think you could ever do a musical project with your son?

Michael – Sure.  I think so.  As long as he was willing & able.  It would be a nightmare for everyone if it were not a mutually interesting thing to do.

QRD – Any words of advice to young people?

Michael – Which young people?  The children of musicians?  Or to musicians who are children & having children?  To the former, I say, like Joseph Campbell says, follow your bliss.  To the latter, young musicians who are thinking about having a family, I say, wait until you want it really bad, even if it takes you until you’re 39!