Michael Kirkpatrick
Michael Kirkpatrick, Colorado-based singer, songwriter, and producer blends elements of acoustic fingerstyle and folk rock to cradle lush songscapes in a fuzzy paradoxical blanket of sunshine and fog. With a voice that ranges from a quiet rumble to powerful mountain-top exclamation, Michael's passionate vocals bring to life lyrics about dreams, sensuality, and reverence for nature.
With over 30 years of experience on stage, Michael has toured extensively and won multiple awards for his songwriting, including the prestigious Telluride Troubadour award. His rich baritone voice, guitar and mandolin playing embracing an eclectic approach, and absurdly earnest storytelling have established him as a versatile and talented performer with a loyal audience. Michael currently tours as a soloist, as the front man for the Neo-psychedelic New-Wave Americana band Violet Pilot, The Holler!, and the Grateful Dead tribute act Pickin’ On The Dead.
Michael’s latest record Away-O (released Jan 12, 2024) was recorded by Tyler Lindgren on a bright, snowy day in an empty house in the foothills of Colorado’s Front Range. The 12 songs for fingerstyle guitar and voice were captured with an organic, live approach, mimicking the vibe of Michael’s famous solo house concerts and “fun streams” that kept his audience entertained through the dark days of Ronassance.
Throughout his career, Michael has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music, including Zac Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Sam Bush, Billy Valentine, Sonny Charles, Jim Belushi, Darol Anger, Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings, Brian Nova, Leftover Salmon, and many others. Michael has received numerous accolades for his music, including the "Best Colorado Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album of 2013" from the Colorado Sound Fan Poll for his album "Key to My Cage," the 2014 Telluride Troubadour Award, and six consecutive "Best Singer-Songwriter" awards from the Fort Collins Musicians Association. In 2019, he was honored with FoCoMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.