Michael Young

This Minneapolis fingerstyle guitarist plays both the six and twelve-string guitar with driving rhythm and groove. While in his mid-twenties, Michael has an ageless stage presence, and he displays his technically proficient fretwork by carrying his bouncy and energetic groove from powerful and compelling compositions to soulful ballads. Moving from daunting and alarming to lighthearted and idiosyncratic instrumentals, Michael takes advantage of the guitar's possibilities by combining standard and alternate tunings with a mix of slide guitar into his playing. He has impressed audiences all over the country including appearances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the legendary CBGB 313 Gallery in New York City, and the illustrious Knitting Factory also in New York City. While primarily an instrumentalist, Michael also incorporates his warm singing voice into his sets. .
"Michael's performance took the chill out of the air and warmed us up enough to set the Doom's Day Clock ahead 12 years. He was fantastic! A wonderful wit and very engaging stories that had our audience totally captivated.” Mary Palmer, High Plains Public Radio Music Director
"Michael was wonderful on Saturday night. Everyone loved him; what an entertainer. He was a great inspiration, especially to other artists. At such a young age, he can captivate an audience of any age.”
Julie Dregne, The Little Theater, New London, MN
"Minnesota-bred Young is a world-class picker who shines on 6 and 12-string guitar. There's something of the Leo Kottke style in Young's playing, but he also has his own sound, which draws from folk, rock, blues, country and classical. Young knows his way around the guitar classics but also has a bag full of originals that jump. Listen for songs such as Plinko and Indio." Jim Beal, San Antonio Express News
"Michael's dexterity, depth and tone will fool you into thinking you're hearing an entire string section instead of just one dude with a 12 string. He channels real emotion and range in his songs, evoking dozens of moods and sounds out of his instrument.”
Jeff Reeves, Arizona Daily Sun