Michael Kirkpatrick

Layout Created at KillerKiwi.net
Michael was born and raised in Cascadia and now resides in Northern Colorado with his wife marie and a room full of strings.
Michael begain playing music as an infant. He would reach through the bars of his crib to press buttons on his dads Juke box. In fifth grade he began learning woodwinds with sax and clarinet being his favorites. In his junior high years Michael started to learn guitar, and in high school became the not-so-jazzy guitarist in the Jazz band led by local hero John Pugh. In an attempt to broaden his talent and meet girls, Michael joined the Concert Choir led by local hero Tom Reich.
It was in high school when Michael realized that music would remain a large part of his life. He learned to write songs by copying his favorite folk musicians and in 1994 Michael self-produced and recorded his first EP "Songs From My Backyard."
At Washington State University Michael could be found Experimenting with Jazz, Madrigal and Concert Choirs as well as playing guitar in local Rock and Blues bands. In 1998 Michael begain to find his rich baritone voice and auditioned for Mozarts "Le Nozze Di Figaro" taking the role of Figaro--his first forays into Opera.
Michael moved to Colorado in 2000 to study Opera Theater at University of Northern Colorado and in 2003 became and apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera Company performing as a chorus member, understudy and taking a role in the world premier of "Madame Mao" by Bright Sheng. While working on his masters in music Michael met Josh Beard and formed Wildwood Holler! string trio. Wildwood Holler! went on to record "Exclamation" (2005) and "Round Trip" (2007) and achived mild success in Northern Colorado with KUNC calling Wildwood Holler! best new artist of 2005.
In 2006 Michael self-produced "Green Man," an album of all original compositions with every instrument played by Michael. Currently, Michael is performing with Bourbon Toothpaste a progressive pop-rock thing and will be working Spring of 2009 on an album with HandPicked Holler! "american tuba rock." You can find them in his top friends. Michael finds great joy in placing his voice in all kinds of music and would love to sing with you.