© 2006 - 2011 a band called STONE CANYON
Michael comes from the small, southern Virginia town of Ridgeway where his young life was surrounded with music. His parents had achieved some local notoriety with their singing and had made music a very integral part of his life. He got his first guitar at the age of 13, and a year later had taught himself the electric bass. It was then he began playing in his first real band. Those early musical influences were soul groups like The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Sam and Dave. His interest and dedication to being the best at his instrument helped him to develop a sense of rhythm and timing that would serve him well in years to come. Later influences from groups like The Doobie Brothers, The Eagles, and Yes expanded his horizons even further, making him one of the most sought after rhythm/bass players of the area. "These bands played positive, upbeat, music that was never dark or weird. I guess it better suited my personality and the message that I wanted to get across."
Michael moved to Roanoke through a job transfer and there met Jeff Snyder. They struck up a serious friendship playing together in a band called "3rd Street". "We just had so many musical things in common, that we couldn't help but become great friends. Jeff and I could sit down, and in no time have a song written or covered." Their musical influences at the time were singers like Bruce Carroll, Phil Keaggy, and Steven Curtis Chapman. They soon were talking about putting together their own group that could take their musical message out in a different direction. That's when Stone Canyon came to be. It was the perfect outlet for Michael's positive approach to music and life.
Michael has two sons and lives with his wife in Salem, Virginia.
Michael moved to Roanoke through a job transfer and there met Jeff Snyder. They struck up a serious friendship playing together in a band called "3rd Street". "We just had so many musical things in common, that we couldn't help but become great friends. Jeff and I could sit down, and in no time have a song written or covered." Their musical influences at the time were singers like Bruce Carroll, Phil Keaggy, and Steven Curtis Chapman. They soon were talking about putting together their own group that could take their musical message out in a different direction. That's when Stone Canyon came to be. It was the perfect outlet for Michael's positive approach to music and life.
Michael has two sons and lives with his wife in Salem, Virginia.
