A++ Victoria Amplifiers
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My guitarist Sam Hubbell plays/endorses Victoria Amplifiers. You can hear some of Sam's sound clips on the Victoria site. These world famous handcrafted amplifiers are made right here in Illinois. If you are looking for some serious gear talk to Mark. I'm not kidding. Lot's of great musicians do. Just take a peek at the artist list. I've heard he likes my band too. He's got a link to Michaelheaton.com on his site! Mark is a guy that takes pride in his craft. If you're a serious musician check out theses amps. He didn't pay me to say anything either. I just like 'em. |
A++ VintageFX
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Are you a playa? Do you dig the groovy sounds of old gear? Check out these pedals. My guitarist Sam Hubbell plays these bad boys and he certainly squeezes some pretty notes out of 'em. We recommend them for anyone looking to get into vintage sounds without spending all of your gig money! They're cool man. |
Chaikaroma Blog &Stuff
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My pal Chaikaroma has this wacky blog that gets a lot of attention. It's been mentioned in USA Today, Wired, Spin, and on numerous (misguided) TV news programs about the "HIP" youth culture of BLOGGING. He just writes about whatever strike's him. Sometimes funny sometimes it's as crazy as watching a moustrap. Check in and you'll always find something to read. I just love his clothing line. |
Dave Pomeroy
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"Dave Pomeroy plays bass and it's like the whole band is riding on the back of an elephant." -Michael Heaton ***
Quite simply he knows the bass like know one else. Check out his symphony of bass! He has my CD listed in his Dave's Picks section. |
Dave Ramont
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My friend Dave Ramont. He is the western suburbs answer to city snobs that say there's nothing in the burbs worth listening to. This guy is real deal earthy and funny. If you like Americana style music you should go see him at least twice! He has lived in the area for years but I happen to know he lived in Austin, TX for a while and won a few awards for his music while living it the live music capital of the world. I love his album "Scrawny" and he has a band he plays with called "Dick Smith". If you know who the Bad Livers are you will totally get the vibe of the music. The are the coolest in My book. |
Dave Tamkin
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Dave is a real sweetheart of a musician. A good songwriter and very supportive of other musicians . I have seen him at my shows a number of times and he's always got something nice to say. Here his website decription of the music. You should check him out. Chicago Singer/Songwriter, Dave Tamkin, has created his own unique style of rhythmic-acoustic rock that's based around a fresh musical vision. His shows vary from intimate solo acoustic performances to a full band experience encapsulating a mixture of personal lyrics and skilled songwriting set against a high-energy percussive backbone. |
Dick Prall
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My pal Dick Prall. When I first met him about four years ago he had just moved to Chicago from Iowa. He had a great disc called "Somewhere About Here". Then he put together a band called the Starchmartins and proceeded to make another fine disc called "Dressing Up The Failure" . Dick has a great sense of melody and his lyrics dig deep into the Bruce Springsteen to Guster arena of rock. He has the best touches of Beatlesque flair to his music as well. Not hard to listen to at all! He's now back to being just Dick Prall and working on some new stuff. Check him out. |
Eddie Bayers
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Eddie Bayers plays drums on my new disc. Eddie is THE first call drummer for Nashville music. You have to see what this guy has accomplished in his amazing career. He holds the distinction of having played on over 150 gold or platinum records. He's also won more CMA awards consecutively than any artist in history. If I would have known more than I already did about him before we went to the studio I might have been scared! He was really cool in the studio and talked to me anyway. |
Emory Joseph
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One of the best unsigned songwriters you have never heard of. I ran into Emory's music on Garageband.com last year and we started talking over the phone. We traded CD's and compliments. I have since become addicted to Emory's incredible lyrics and beautiful homespun musical style. He's got the best growl of Lowell George, the lyrical thoughtfulness of Jackson Browne, the musical comedy of Randy Newman and the soulful gospel underpinnings of Lyle Lovett. Bonnie Raitt has performed with him and word is that she may be recording a couple of Emory's songs on her next disc. His CD "Labor and Spirits" is an all-star cast of some of the most impressive talents in the music biz. He's completely independent and has made one of the greatest collections of songs I have heard in ten years. BUY THIS CD- BUY THIS CD-BUY THIS CD (This link is for real music fans only!!!) |
HDwebtrader.com
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One of my old friends from Tulsa started a Harley Davidson trade and purchase site and it's been doing well. Connecting sellers with buyers and more. Sort of an everything you need for your Harley site. What do you need? Apparel, Basket Cases & Kits, Bikes, Carburetor & Intake, Collectibles, Driveline, Electrical, Engine, Exhaust, Footpegs & Foot Controls, Forks & Suspension, Frames & Frame Kits, Gaskets, Handlebars & Controls, Lighting, Seats, Saddlebags & Touring, Sheetmetal, Tools, Maint & Accessories, Trailers, Transmission & Clutch, Wheels, Tires & brakes and more. They've got it! Including a very nice "Babes" page. |
IMDB
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Look up Michael Heaton and find out about the two movies I was in. Two songs from "Learning Curve" are in the film Under the Bus. The other film is called The Homecoming. I have a credit for performing in the movie with the band at the homecoming dance. |
Jackson Rohm
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Jackson is from New York. I ran into him one night in Chicago at Cullen's. He stopped in when my band was playing after one of his shows. He was very into the songs I played from "Learning Curve". He buys a CD and we talk a little about music. Next thing I know he liked the sound so much of my CD so much that he is actually recording in Naperville with Steve Jacula who produced my disc. Not only that Jackson tours constantly and apparently tells everybody about my music as well because I get calls all the time and emails from across the country from his friends and friends of friends and radio stations that have heard about me through him. He is a great guy and he has two discs out that I would recommend giving a listen. His third CD "Red Light Fever" recorded with Steve Jacula is now out and it's getting played all over the country on mainstream radio. I wish him all the luck in the world. He's a real sweet fella. |
James McMurtry and The Heartless Bastards
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If you like songwriting that really paints a picture you will love James McMurtry. I have to say there must be something in the water in Texas that makes great writers. Maybe it's just the open spaces and lack of something better to do i don't know but I love it. James' father is Larry McMurtry the Pulitzer winning author and screen writer of Lonsome Dove, The Last Picture Show and recently Brokeback Mountain. The apple truely doesn't fall far from the tree with James. He has a talent for just outright "saying it" in a song that very few will ever match in music.
We sometimes play a couple of his songs in our sets and we met him down in Austin. James is just as real and cantankerous as his songs and I wouldn't want it any other way!
Rock & Roots or Roots & Roll, whatever you want to call it—we challenge you to find a description that fits other than good music you can count on when you thought maybe you just couldn't count on music anymore!
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JOB PREDICTIOR
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What should you really be doing with your life? Type in your name and hilarity ensues! Be careful it could change you. Great time waster. |
John Hiatt
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The KING of songwriters. I said Kim Richey is one of the best writers around. John Hiatt is THE best songwriter. One of the most celebrated songwriters alive his songs have been covered by more than 50 artists and more show up every couple months. Yeah Diane Warren has made more money but if you need soul you better get right with John. The list includes Bonnie Raitt,B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Neville Brothers, Willie Nelson, Jeff Healy, Georgia Sattalites, Iggy Pop, Paula Abdul. If that isn't enough Bob Dylan himself actually asked John to write a couple songs for him. If you don't know who he is listen up. John Hiatt is the Cole Porter of the modern era friends- a true classic. |
Johnny Clueless
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A great Rock band from Minnesota the songs are smart and great to drive to. |
Kim Richey
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Simply one of the best songwriters in the music biz! I love her music.
Especially a CD named "Bittersweet" it's unbelievable if you are into songwriting. Check her out. Please. That is a picture of me and Kim at Fitzgerald's. |
Laurie Notaro -Idiot Girl
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Laurie Notaro is one of the funniest writers I've read in a long time.
Her books just found me and so I pass them on to others all the time. She's a person that's not afraid to make fun of herself as much as she makes fun of the world around her. Check out any of her books and you won't be sorry. If you are...you need to lighten up a bit. The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club is a great book but I can't pick favorites with any her books. It's all great. |
Megon McDonough
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OK so I get this singing/playing gig with a company for a couple days at Chicago Recording Company. I'm part of the talent for a project and then I meet this woman Megon McDonough. Shes the the other part of the talent. We start talking and I realize that I know who she is from seeing her perform. Megon is a former founding memeber of The Four Bitchin Babes. I am a fan. She started the group with her pals Sally Fingerette , Christine Lavin (who by the way has influenced my music) and Pattie Larkin. Megon is one of the most energetic people I've ever met. She has a VOICE to be reckoned with and she writes wonderful songs. I can't tell her whole story here just look her up on the site. I'm going to work with her soon. |
Michael Heaton Myspace
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Yep! I've got one just like every one of the ten billion other rock stars in the world. Be my friend. |
Mighty Joe
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One of our local pals...even though he's really from Oak park. Joe says nice things about me to people all the time and supports live music in a big way. A hard working musician just like myself! (From his bio)-Mighty Joe is a full-time performer who averages 250 gigs per year. Simply put, he is a musical powerhouse. His performances always promise spontaneity & audience response (see Photos page). Joe performs solo, accompanied by an acoustic guitar & harmonica, & with a band called The Regulars (featuring KJ Hachmeister on lead guitar, Wardo on bass, & 'EP' Eugene Plascak on drums & percussion). This high-energy trio adds a complementary flavor to Joe's songs. In the past, Mighty Joe has been awarded "Best Acoustic Performer" by SNL Magazine in their annual reader's poll consecutively for 3 years! |
Parker Guitars
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Guitarist Sam Hubbell endorses Parker guitars. He appears in the new Parker catalog playing his Parker Nitefly. That tiny pic to the left is Sam playing it on stage last fall. I haven't met Ken Parker yet but Sam says great things about him and his guitars. Check 'em out. Sam is on page 10 of the catalog PDF. |
PASS THE PIGS
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Have you ever played that game where you roll a couple pigs like dice and score points for how they land? Well this is the online version! I find it a great way to waste some time at work! Really! |
Pat Bergeson
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Pat Bergeson is the producer of my studio CD Our Little Secret. One of the greatest guitarists I have ever seen much less having had the pleasure to record and perform with. He is also one smokin' ace on the harp. His list of credentials is impressive but all you have to do is listen to see why. Pat is one of my favorite artists. |
Radney Foster
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This guy for me is the Kevin Bacon of country music. Everybody knows him or has worked with him. His songs have been covered by everyone from Dixie Chicks and Trisha Yearwood to Pat Green. He helped launch the career of my favorite gal Kim Richey and even wrote a number one hit with her.
From his early days with Foster and Lloyd to present he has yet to let me down with his great songwriting. |
RD Roth
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A fine songwriter from Evanston, Il. RD makes Americana music for lack of a better term. He really make's you think with his lyrics. He also has his wife playing bass in the band. You may have seen them in Time Magazine. |
Red Woody
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Red Woody is a high-energy rock and roll band that plays a great selection of music. I stole my bass player Doug from them.
He used to be their guitarist. Although I think they got a better deal with our pal Brant he's got better gear. |
Sam Bush
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Sam is quite simply one of the best players in the worlds of bluegrass and country music. I was absolutely thrilled that we could get him to record on "Our Little Secret"
He is a two-time Grammy Award winner and besides being a mandolin virtuoso he has a great voice to boot! You really should check him out. His site lists a ton of incredible artists he's worked with and influenced. You should hear his latest CD! It was truly an honor. |
second hand poets
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My friends Dave and Dan Thomas. These two brothers play earthy Americana style music with a little twang. |
Sheep Herder Game
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Another goofy little game to make you giggle at work. Try to herd all the sheep with your cursor. Seems easy but the little buggers are fast. |
Shelley Miller
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She has a slogan - "Folk someone you love tonight!" She's worth a listen! I played a couple shows with her in Chicago and Evanston, IL. and I ran into her in San Diego. |
Steve Conn
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Steve played keys on a few songs on the new disc. By some coincidence I showed up wearing a t-shirt from his favorite Louisiana coffee company "Community Coffee". He was born and raised there and has performed with some of the best talent Louisiana and the world has to offer. Including one of my favorites Sonny Landreth. This fella is pretty good on keys. He's a two-time Grammy nominee and his new CD is beautiful. |
Susie Dobbs
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A friend of mine who sings country music. More energy than a firecracker and she has a great voice. |
The Drovers
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I used to work with these guys as a instrument tech and occasional opening act. To describe the music I would say it's where Celtic music and Pink Floyd meet the road. Great traditional Irish folk style together with loads of wide open experimentaion. I came up with this word for it 'Celtidelilic"! See if you agree. It was because of these guys that I got to meet Elvis Costello, Taj Mahal and Los Lobos! Great bunch of folks. |
The Silverfish Band
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My former right hand man on stage Stanley Dembowski leads a secretive double life. By day a mild mannered science boy. By night talented multi-track songwriter. Oh yes of course on the weekends he's a guitar wielding, kazoo tootin' rock and roll swiss army knife that can sing to boot! This is his project called The Silverfish. It's fresh stuff and truly original just like Stan! |
the tragically hip
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Tragically Hip, an incredibly powerful rock band from Canada. We occasionally throw their songs into our setlist. They make me love rock music again like back when I first saw the Who as a kid. They put on fantastic live shows. The music flows like a muddy river. It's low, menacing and usually without mercy. Without all the over the top hype and crap that MTV shovels. In fact truth be told these guys are probably UNHIP in the best way possible. My wife and I met them in Montreal and they were a true bunch of sweetheart music fans themselves. They have won a JUNO (Canada's Grammy) for all but one of their 11 releases.
Most of America is missing out on these guys and it's their loss. Don't be a loser friend! No seriously hit the link...... |
Your Band Sucks
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"Support the local music scene. Quit your band." This is the soon to be famous "Your Band Sucks" site. They give out awards for the worst local bands in the country. It's pretty funny. Check out the Hall Of Fame section where they must have 500 band promo photos. Almost all of them are against brick walls or railroad track backdrops. Hmm you think that might have been done before? The comments are a laugh. If you're in a band you have to see this. I'd better not find myself nominated or I'm taking down the link. |
