Michael

Michael S. Purcell
Musician / Engineer / Writer
Instrument: Guitar

Born a twin on May 4, 1963 in Islip New York Hospital residing in Bay Shore Long Island about 52.3 miles east of Manhattan. Brother to Vickie R. Craig, Richard K. Purcell, and twin Mark A. Purcell. Son of Dorothy J. Fox and Richard J. Purcell.

My first influenced to play the guitar was when I saw Mr. B.B. King (Riley B. King who adopted the professional name of "The Beale Streets Blues Boy" than shortened it to 'Blues Boy King, and finally to "B.B." King), on the Johnny Carson and Ed Sullinan shows in 1970 - 1971. He blew me away with that signature wrist move when hitting a vibrato lick, (Awesome!).

When I was twelve my older brother (Ricky), gave me a Vox nylon stringed guitar which I converted to a steal string. Ricky taught me my first song "House of the Rising Sun". The "F" was a bitch but was the best song to get me started into a way of life that I would never or ever could give up. Music has always followed me and even led me all through my life. No matter how good or bad things got the guitar was always there. The man upstairs must of wanted me to keep the culture link of the guitar to my soul because it never left my side any longer than I could bare it missing.

I learned what I could on my own jamming here and there, and whenever possible but mostly experimenting with the sounds of the strings. Learning by ear (as I do today), only helps me absorb and transmit the sounds to my audience. I moved from New York at the age of three to South Florida, then moved to central Louisiana and bounced back and forth learning everything from rock, blues, latin, jazz, and a little classical. I've visited Austria and Italy where I locked on any type of artistic influence from music to paint that I could. (I was a student art teacher in the sixth grade at Cutler Ridge Elementary, S. Florida).

. JAMMING: This is the thing I love best! And I've jammed with the best known and unknown. I love it when people come together and throw away their everyday B.S. and open up to the language of music. I always encourage anyone and everyone to participate in a jam session no matter if an accomplished musician or not. "If you can pick it up, you can play it". I have found that sounds just seem to communicate through everyone and when the beat is solid and good you can't go wrong it just works. A dear friend of mine always said "do no harm" (Rory). The psychedelic sounds of the 50's, 60's and 70's have always impressed me. Jimi Hendrix, Santana, B.B. King, Johnny Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Rory Gallagher, Janis Joplin, Paul Kossoff, Paul Rogers, God I couldn't list them all. Fleetwood Mac, Steppin' Wolf, Beetles�etc. � I wish I had the space to list them. Speaking of credit. "I always give credit where credit is due". Unlike alot of musicians today! I love to play the songs that I grew up with and I always credit the originator of the song no matter what. If I play on stage or in a recording I always credit the originator and in some cases the re-masters because they will never live on if someone like myself doesn't. I know I would not appreciate it if someone decided to re-do a song of mine and used it to get self gain and disrespect the author. I won't mention names but they know who they are. Thinking if the kids of today never heard the original than why should they think it didn't come from them. YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT ARTIST, BUT LEACHES! Let me catch you even thinking about using even a clip of mine to scratch on your recording�.I will nail you BIG TIME!

My dream in life since I have fulfilled everyone else's as a Employee / Manufacturing Engineer / ISO Quality Manager / CNC Programmer / Computer Programmer / Fix-It Man / Favor Giver / Pee On / etc. ��.to jam with my idols B.B. King, Carlos Santana, and if Jimi Hendrix was still around�."scratch that" he's always around. I remember when I was in Miami, Florida. Carlos Santana was playing at a free concert which he would do every now and then (bless him), and I was so close I could touch him if I wanted to. All I could think about was the sounds going through me and wanting to just jam with the man. That's what I like about music it always takes you to your childlike heart.

Well! I'll stop boring you.
I made a few CD's and if you get a chance check them out. You can get more information about them at the link below:

LINK HERE

Maybe I'll see you in a "Jam Session" (hopefully)
God Bless and follow your gift in life!

Michael S. Purcell