Michael McMorrow
Washington Native- Musician- Composer- Recording Artist- Record Producer
Welcome readers to the first installment of "MAN About Town". I will attempt, through a casual interview process, to shed light on some of the movers and shakers in the Northwest music scene.
How did you get into this crazy music business anyway? Didn’t you have anyone to warn you against it?
No in fact I was encouraged by my mother and grandfather who were both musicians. By age 11 I was already writing music and playing for them on the piano. At 12 I won a statewide Young Composer Competition in California. I never looked back from there.
I know you still play music, what’s going on with that?
Well eventually I found myself in a band called the Yarddogs where I continued writing original music. We developed that band to a point where we were playing with bands such as Delbert McClinton, Jefferson Airplane, Ann and Nancy Wilson from Heart and Paul Rogers to name a few. I was always more into original music than playing in cover bands. While I was on tour with the HORDE Festival I met Brendan Hill of Blues Traveler, we hit it off, and decided to start a band called Stolen Ogre. That band went on to earn various national acclaim and we won the Relix Magazine 2005 Jamoff competition. “Icing”, a song I composed, became one of the songs picked to be on their nationally distributed compilation CD. We toured, especially in the Northeast, received significant college radio airplay and were highlighted as one of the top bands to watch for amongst unsigned bands in the country. I continue writing, recording and performing with various projects.
I saw you play at the MAN Tsunami Relief concert back in 2004 and you were playing with an all-star cast of musicians. Tell me about some of these collaborations.
As you know I was on the MAN board at that time and was more than happy to participate. Of course I asked John Popper from Blues Traveler to join us. My band Stolen Ogre played and then there was the all-star jam which featured Alan White and Roger Fisher and I played keys for that too. That was a blast. Over the years I have performed with Ann and Nancy Wilson and the Lovemongers, Ricki Lee Jones, Taj Mahal and of course Blues Traveler. I have also collaborated in the production of the nationally syndicated host Bob Rivers "Twisted Radio" from KISW (now with KZOK) radio in Seattle. I have been fortunate to have been involved in countless projects and events and have made many lasting friendships right here in the Northwest. I am also currently on the airstaff over at WARM 106.9FM here in Seattle.
What is Synergia Northwest?
I am very interested in music education and experiences for our youth. I want to make sure kids can get a chance to enjoy music and even pursue careers in music. It is a part of a well rounded education. Synergia NW is a concert I am planning for 2010. It will be used to raise awareness and funds for youth music programs. I want to bring together music students and professional musicians playing classical and contemporary music.
Have you produced events of this nature before?
I have been involved with and produced many events over the last 20 years. I produced the Support the Troops Concert for Peace Benefit at the Paramount theatre in 1991. I had the Lovemongers, Chris Cornell, Alice in Chains and my band the Yarddogs. This was a fundraiser for the international and American Red Cross during the gulf war crisis. I was also involved in Harmony for Humanity, a national violence prevention program, Heartland Relief Fund, Seattle Firefighters benefit, Picnic on the Green Snoqualmie Winery, Puget Soundkeepers Benefit and Winter Warmth Concert for homeless children
Tell me more about Synergia.
I am partnering in this project with Dr. Bret P. Smith, Assistant Professor, Central Washington University’s Department of Music who is an educator and conductor specializing in instrumental music education. I also have the support of Seattle Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Young Musicians Excelling Chair, Maestro Gerard Schwarz, Young Musicians Excelling, the Washington Music Educators Association and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.
I will be teaming up with Alan White and Dr. Smith to collaborate on original music for the event. It will showcase various musicians, young and old, students and professionals, across all formats and styles. I will highlight local youth and public school orchestras as well as original composers. Net proceeds will go through MAN to be directed to various music programs around Washington.
We are excited about, and looking forward to, this concert. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help out. We would be honored to accept the proceeds and distribute them to the selected beneficiaries.
We hung out chatting at the restaurant for a long time and touched on many subjects. You know you have been there too long when the waitress drops the hint about her shift ending. It’s refreshing to be around someone as excited about his work as Michael McMorrow.
Visit Michael online at michaelmcmorrow.com.
And so my eventually loyal readers,
Be inspired by music…
Mark Naficy
