Songs selected for the film:  Into The Canyon, Unbroken Spirit and The Forgotten Plains

Silent Voices Cover

Since about January of this year I’ve been recording compositions for a new solo Fingerstyle guitar album. I will be finishing it up over the next two or three weeks and then moving on to final production. Look for a Summer release date, perhaps sometime in August.

The songs on this album reflect the deep feelings we have when experiencing various occasions in our life. These feelings are the silent voices…what we think and say to ourselves inwardly during these experiences. We feel crushed or hopeful, we think it was our failure or just circumstance; but we survive these occasions and continue on.

Listen to “Reflections”

I need to admit though that at times I have struggled as to whether I should make this more prominently known to the listeners of my music. Why? Because I want the music to be determined listenable on its own merit, and not by who the artist is. I am probably only to myself overemphasizing this point; since not one listener of my music with whom I’ve conversed has ever said they tossed out my CDs because I’m a Christ follower.

So, I think today is the day that I begin letting my spirituality be known. No, I don’t mean in the way a preacher does; I’m not of that fabric. The way I would do it is . . . not shy away from mentioning it in album liner notes, conversations, blog posts, etc. Because I want folks to know that this music is genuine, comes from a minstrel’s heart, and it’s okay to let God kiss you with it.

I have always wanted my music to mean something to the listener . . . to stir and effect the inner person. And I mean that even in the simplest of ways, like putting a smile on their face and enjoying the drive down a long road. This is my musical purpose fulfilled.

I guess in the end I really don’t need to worry about anything. Folks will hear my music and either continue listening because it touches some part of them, or they will move on to something else that makes musical sense to their ears and heart.

I just went on about my musical life without regard to that word previously spoken. Around 1988/89 I more fully found my true musical self as I dove into listening to and composing instrumental songs, somewhat influenced by John Michael Talbot and Acoustic Alchemy. Interesting, because a minstrel is an instrumentalist.

Fast forward to August 2008. I had long given up on being a minstrel because, as far as I was concerned, it had never come to pass in 25 years. I was at the beginning of a three month tour in an effort to get some kind of music career going. At one of my performances was Bob, who happened to be quite drunk. From the back of the room he shouted “Sir, you are a troubadour!” Yikes! Was this guy going to start yelling during my performance? Thankfully, during the rest of my performance he sat talking quietly to my wife.

Let’s now cut to after the show. Bob and I spoke for two hours in which time he repeatedly told me I am a minstrel. This same word had not been spoken to me in 25 years; but I knew what he was saying was true. Bob and I have never again crossed paths. I think his time there while I performed was intended. For the rest of my time on the road, and thereafter, I have pondered these two occurrences, in ‘83 and ‘08.

So, should I move closer and embrace this being a Minstrel? You know what that is, right? One who plays instrumental music, creating an atmosphere in which the listener(s) can experience God coming to them, to whatever degree that is. It’s a very intimate environment, perhaps more than what you might experience being led in worship (on Sunday mornings).

From Jason Heilman’s blog: “We see that David had the anointing, as a Minstrel, to play the harp and create peaceful atmospheres in which King Saul was able to be at rest. It never says that David sang during these times, but only mentions that he played upon the harp. This is a prime example of a Minstrel creating an atmosphere simply with instrumental music. David did not need to sing, “Be at peace.” David’s music exuded peace and all Saul had to do was enter in to the atmosphere that David was anointed to create.”

I am a Minstrel.

Ancient Elements Cover

This is my first collaborative album with Steve Rushingwind. Steve plays the Native American flute and does so wonderfully. He and I connected through a mutual friend and in three months time we wrote and recorded this album.

The album title stems from mine and Steve’s mutual respect for, and the influence of, music of the ancients and the natural elements.

We think our respective listeners will truly enjoy ‘Ancient Elements’. It is especially suited to quite moments, yoga, massage, etc.

Visit the Rushingwind-Mucklow website

“Steve and Michael, I listened to your new album again this morning. There is only one word that can describe my reaction – fantastic. In my capacity as a flute maker I have the opportunity to hear many new CDs. Yours has already become one of my favorites. You and Michael play together like you have one vision and one voice. You have created a collection of calm, meditative and inspiring Native American flute music that reflects the Great Spirit within us all. Play on brothers. Your heart felt songs help bring peace to a troubled world.”

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