Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Walker.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been really fortunate to have built a career focusing on my passion and doing what I love. I’m a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter, and have been blessed to work with many amazing folks along the way. After enjoying a long career in artist development through my company Dreamwalker Music Evolution, I’ve recently embarked on a new chapter focusing on releasing my own music.
My wife Caroline and I began writing country-ish songs together several years ago, drawing from our combined life experience with a heavy emphasis on storytelling. All of my songs are self-produced, allowing me to work within a truly creative framework. In 2023, I released my first instrumental piece, “Wind Walker,” followed by sixteen more singles with many more on the way!
I grew up in the Philadelphia area and first picked up a guitar at the age of thirteen. I became obsessed with learning to play, practicing up to eight hours a day. My biggest influences were Joe Satriani, Randy Rhodes and Swedish virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen. I studied classical guitar with Charles Bell and jazz guitar with jazz pioneer John Dougherty.
After both of my parents died, I found myself on my own at the age of eighteen. I relied on my musical skills to support myself by giving guitar lessons and working at a local amplifier company. In my early twenties, intrigued with the growing Central Florida music scene, I moved to the Orlando area to pursue a fresh chapter in my music journey. During that time I worked as a session guitarist providing tracks for major artists, as well as performing in my own bands and continuing to grow my instructional business.
In 2005, my band “Rule of 7” received a Grammy Award for the Florida Unsigned Bands Showcase. Although the group disbanded, I continued to perform with other local bands, opening for major acts such as Pat Benatar, Charlie Daniel’s Band, Jake Owens, Scotty Mccreery, and Colt Ford.
To present, my wife and I have spent the majority of our time focusing on raising our kids and building our artist development business in Gotha, Florida. We share four adult children, the youngest of whom plays in two local bands and is following in his dad’s footsteps. I’m looking forward to sharing my music with new friends with the hope that my songs will resonate with anyone who enjoys a good story and an occasional long guitar solo.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Supporting myself at a very young age was challenging but also very character building. Some other challenges have included keeping up with the ever-changing music business and starting an artist career in mid-life. But I view these challenges as opportunities to learn and explore new things.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m finally at a stage in my life where I can focus more on my own artistry and that feels really empowering. Being able to write with my wife has been such a special and bonding experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I’m really proud of our small catalog and the songs we’ve released into the universe. Being able to produce all of my own material in our studio has been really fulfilling. I think that self sufficiency is part of what sets me apart as an artist: being able to write, perform, and produce all of my own projects.
I’m also super proud of all of the artists I’ve worked with over the years who are finding success in today’s extremely competitive music business. The biggest compliment I receive is when clients contact me years later and thank me for the part I played in their journeys. That makes it all worth it!
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Going to Eagles games with my family.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Jeannie Albers
