Born in Henderson, NC, Michael grew up in a very loving, musical and most importantly, SUPPORTIVE family. His parents, Doug and Donna, fed and nutured his musical appetite by exposing him to any and all types of music around the household. He became enamored by the Beatles and the Beach Boys pop sounds as well as how the groups on the Motown label made him "feel".

In the 1970's, through his own curiosity, he "discovered" music by Elton John, America, Supertramp and the catalyst for his desire to become a musician, KISS. Their music and image turned his young mind inside out and set his imagination on fire...so we can blame them for the individual we know today!

Although Michael was self-taught on guitar and bass, the only way to get a musical education was through Band in elementary school. His first attempt was in the 7th grade on trumpet, however having braces on his teeth proved to be a stumbling block, so he switched over to drums in and recieved the 1st chair position in the All-State Band Competition the following year, a pretty impressive achievement for someone that had only been playing for a year! He continued his percussion studies throughout high school and at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC until he joined his first real touring group from Albany, New York. That band, and many other variety and cover bands, helped him to continue developing his bass chops and earn a decent living.

In the fall of 1990, Michael decided to give original music a chance by joining an Orlando, Florida group called Disturbance. Soon after the band moved to Memphis, Tennessee to begin recording their major label debut for Zoo Entertainment (RCA/BMG) and Polygram Publishing. "We Come Out At Night" was released in 1993 with the first single and video, "Resolution" appearing on MTV's "Headbangers Ball" recieving accolades from critics and fans alike. The band also made monthly appearances in publications like "Metal Edge", "RIP", "Guitar For The Practicing Musician", as well as Japan's "Burrn" magazine. They performed or toured with artists like Alice In Chains, Firehouse, Trixter and Dangerous Toys.

Since the group's breakup in 1993, Michael has done some touring, writing, recording, and is most recently performing in the Raleigh/Durham area of NC after moving back to North Carolina to help his far minister to his dying mother who passed away April 10th, 2004. Shortly after returning home he felt the Holy Spirit calling and received Christ November 28th, 1999. The next few years following his mother's passing were tough, but in the summer of 2008 he met his future wife Maria and now has 2 wonderful step-children Andrew and Amanda.

In February 2009, he went to Vancouver, Canada to work with producer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter's "Bad Day", Kelly Rowland's "Unity", and State of Shock's "Money Honey") and mix engineer to everyone, Mike "Fraz" Fraser (AC/DC's "Black Ice" and most recently CHICKENFOOT). The results were "Waste of Time" and "Foolish Man".