Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael McHenry.
Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was obsessed with guitars for as long as I can remember. Even before I actually had a guitar. I was immediately writing songs and sending them to record companies which garnered me more attention and interest than I expected. I was fortunate to get some songs recorded by other artists as well as writing songs for various TV commercials and radio shows. I am very fortunate to have been a full-time musician since 1994. At present I have released 14 albums of all original music. Other than my daughter I played all instruments and vocals on all but 5. I have a new album completed but not released yet. I continue to play live shows. I have played for as many as 35,000 people to 3 people and every number in between. My Love for performing, writing, and recording music has not waned. My favorite pastime is and has always been listening to music.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Small budget tours found me traveling across the country in a station wagon with 6 people. Driving 16 hours to play a 45 minute show yet we all thought it was worth it. There were plenty of times with not enough money to even buy food but the time onstage was worth the hardships. Also family and friends being critical about being a full-time musician and instead of encouraging you they tell you to get a real job. There have been times when I was making more money than the very people who were looking down on me and I told them so yet they still were condescending. I never considered doing anything other music.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I constantly am writing songs, many of which I don’t intend on anyone other than to hear. I have a home studio and a house full of instruments so when I want to record some music I can without obstacles. I can play all instruments that I need to record full songs. Which means I work on my own time. I don’t have to book studio musicians and show them what I want for my music. I can record at 4am if I want. I am so lucky to be able to record an idea as soon it pops into my head. As far as what makes me proud is I have my entire life thought about being boxed in by what the current fad is or fitting in. All of my songs are written for me so it means so very much to me when someone else can relate to it. A lot of people, friends included may not be fans of my songs which doesn’t bother me at all. As a matter of fact it makes me proud in a strange way because I take to mean I am being true to myself by making music of true expression and not trying to be influenced by trying to get likes on the internet.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Making music that is an honest and personal expression. That to me is successful wether or not it gets likes on the internet and wether or not I make a dime.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Michael McHenry or Michael McHenry Tribe
