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Highlights
Discography
Interview
MEDIA
- Electronic Press Kit
Feature
story from Trad & Now magazine
here
Michael
Fix
Biography
Put a guitar into Michael Fix's hands and the emotional possibilities of
music are suddenly released. This remarkable composer and musician has the power
to create myriad sensory experiences through his music - it captures and conveys
emotions, experiences and images with ease. And they are unforgettable.
Over the past decade, he's released six albums, together with several singles
and EPs, and has established himself as one of Australia's finest guitarists and
composers, performing at festivals across the country, and writing evocative
music for television, film and documentaries.
He's also won numerous awards for his music, including three Golden Guitars, and
his guitar workshops are in high demand all over Australia and internationally.
Indeed, Michael's reputation is growing rapidly. He has already achieved
international recognition, performing in the United States and New Zealand, as
well as numerous times on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.
Now, he receives regular invitations to perform at festivals and concerts throughout Italy and germany.
Michael began performing in his home town of Wollongong at the age of 12, and in
his early twenties moved to Sydney, where he was discovered by the legendary
Tommy Emmanuel.
Emmanuel became a mentor to the young guitarist and spent several years teaching
and working with him.
Michael's credentials include acclaimed Sydney band Hat Trick, which he joined
in 1985. Hat Trick specialised in eclectic versions of classical and folk
pieces, and this music has played a major role in the development of Michael's
own musical style.
The years 1991-95 saw Michael working with award-winning singer/songwriter
Graeme Connors, touring Australia several times as lead guitarist with Connors'
Prodigal Sons band.
Michael also found time to produce two independent solo albums, Tantalise
and Fingerpaintings, and to build up a strong and rapidly growing
following for his work with a succession of solo shows.
His next album, The Heart Has Reasons, established Michael's distinctive,
evocative style, which has emerged once again in his latest release, Web of
Dreams.
On Web of Dreams, this remarkable composer and guitarist has taken his
ability to evoke compelling emotional and sensual experiences to a new level.
Something's Cooking (2005) is Michael's seventh album, and the one he believes is most
representative of his music. It is relatively laid-back and acoustic, with the
focus on solo guitar, although other instruments have been selectively brought
in to add to the feeling of some tracks.
In 1999, Michael was recognised by the CMAA with his first Instrumental of the
Year Golden Guitar, for the catchy "Mr Wonglepong". He went on to win
the award the following year with "Walkin' the Walk", and took it out
again in 2003 with "Mulga Dan", joining Keith Urban with the
highest-ever tally of Instrumental Golden Guitars.
Michael performs regularly at music festivals around the country and overseas.
His distinctive, eclectic and accessible style make him a popular performer at
everything from guitar festivals to jazz and blues festivals, folk festivals and
country music events.
He's also toured with artists like Albert Lee, Christine Anu and Anne Murray, as
well as appearing with the world's greatest guitarists - including Leo Kottke,
Tommy Emmanuel and Martin Taylor - at festivals in Australia, New Zealand and
the United States.
On Australia Day 1997, Michael opened the Gift to a Nation concert, performing
Classical Gas with Tommy Tycho's orchestra. This event was filmed before 150,000
people and telecast live across the nation on the Seven Network.
Michael regularly presents guitar workshops to aspiring guitarists captivated by
both his expertise on the guitar and his original music. In 1997 he released a
video, No Secrets!, demonstrating his style and offering tips to other
guitarists.
Michael believes strongly that his music is a gift which should be shared. Over
the years, he has taken the chance to use his music to assist others. In 1995,
he penned "Bush Bash" to raise funds for the Variety Club of
Australia. The song was used as part of the Variety Club's annual car rally.
In 2002, following the death of legendary country guitarist Barry Thornton,
Michael recorded Remembering Barry Thornton, a fundraising EP to assist
Barry's family. He also penned a single in memory of Barry, "Mulga
Dan". The song went on to win Michael his third Instrumental of the Year
Golden Guitar, as well as taking out the 2003 Victorian Country Music Award in
the Instrumental category.
Recognition of Michael's extraordinary talents on the guitar has led to major
ongoing sponsorship deals with Maton Guitars and D'Addario Strings, as well as AER amplification.
For more information on Michael Fix and Web of Dreams, or to arrange an
interview, please contact Fret Music at
info@michaelfix.com
Career
highlights
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 2004, 2005, 2006 Tours of Germany and Italy
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2004
& 2001 Queensland Recording Association winner, Instrumental album of
the Year
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2004
& 2001 Queensland Recording Association winner, Instrumental album of
the Year
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2003
CMAA Golden Guitar winner, Instrumental of the Year, "Mulga Dan"
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2003
Victorian Country Music Award, Best Instrumental, "Mulga Dan"
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2000
CMAA Golden Guitar winner, Instrumental of the Year, "Walkin' the
Walk"
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2000
Release of "Michael Fix" signature model guitar by Maton Guitars
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2000
Invited to perform at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention,
Nashville
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1999
CMAA Golden Guitar winner, Instrumental of the Year, "Mr Wonglepong"
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1999
International guitar festival with Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor & Tommy
Emmanuel, Auckland NZ
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1997
Australia Day: Opened the Gift to a Nation concert, performing
"Classical Gas" with Tommy Tycho's orchestra. (150.000 people live
and telecast on Seven Network).
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1997
Australian tour with Canadian singer Anne Murray
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1997
Soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, presenting the music of
Gershwin all over Australia
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1995
Australian tour with US guitar legend Albert Lee.
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1994
release of "Bush Bash" in conjunction with the Variety Club Bash
to raise funds for children
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Regular
appearances on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton
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Festival
performances over the past decade include regular appearances at the
Frankston Guitar Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Gympie Muster, Tamworth
Country Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Norfolk Island Country
Music Festival, Lord Howe Island Music Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival,
Grafton Music Festival, Blue Mountains Festival, Jabiru Festival of the
Wind, Top Half Folk Festival, Grafton Artsfest, NZ Mainland Festival and the
Emerald Country Music Festival.
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Discography
Albums
Somethings Cooking (2005)
Web of Dreams (2003)
Sunday Morning (2001)
Transfixed (2000)
The Heart Has Reasons (1996, re-release 2004)
Fingerpaintings (1993)
Tantalise (1992)
EPs
Remembering Barry Thornton (2002)
Promise (1998)
Singles
Walkin' the Walk (1999)
Breakup Breakdown (1997)
Restless (1996)
Falling (1995)
Sundaze (1995)
Bush Bash (1994)
Video
No Secrets! (1997)
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