Biography

Michael Gaither was raised on the central California coast and takes the “write what you know” idea to heart, wrapping songs around small-town life with humorous takes on the everyday. He turned to songwriting after a background in journalism and a narrow brush with standup comedy. (He sold jokes to Jay Leno. Back when Jay Leno was still funny.)

Michael has released three CDs of original material, all of which have received international airplay.

The UK’s “Maverick Country has called him “a writer with a keen eye for detail and a gentle sense of humor”. A storyteller as much as a songwriter, Michael takes the “write what you know” idea to heart, wrapping his music around stories of small-town American life with humorous takes on day-to-day life: Big cars, bad drivers, cell phones, a baby’s first steps. One CD Baby customer said “I love the way Michael crafts his lyrics and speaks about everyday stuff that you wouldn’t think to make into a song.”

Michael’s love of animals and rescue work also find their way into his music. “Charlie and Chloe” is the true story of a rescued orphan coyote. “Not Stubborn Not My Mule” dispels the old myth. (Mules are just set in their ways; an apt song metaphor if ever there was one.) “Roselle” is another true story. It’s a tribute to the guide dog that walked her blind owner out of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001.

“Home” is a running theme on “Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night” (2012), Michael’s third independent release. This new story collection takes an “embracing the past while facing the present” approach. Michael mixes nostalgia (the title track) with a fondness for his hometown (“Still a Small Town”), along some of his trademark humor (“Tell Me Where It Hurts”, “Now It’s a Taqueria”.)
“Starlite Drive-In Saturday Night” was Americana station KPIG ‘s featured CD for “Fresh Pork Chops” during the week of 8/6/12. (The CD was played in its entirety, two cuts at a time, each night of the week.)

The new record is a logical follow-up to Michael’s previous CDs. “Spotted Mule and Other Tales” (2006), which was called “a brilliant debut” from the online station Wild West Radio and “Dogspeed” (2009), called “a great CD talking about everyday life” by the music blog Indie4Life.com.

When not performing his own music, Michael books and hosts the Corralitos Cultural Center Music Series. Offstage, he produces and hosts the “Songs and Stories” podcast, which features stories behind his songs and interviews with other independent songwriters.