"Acoustic Christmas" is Michael's sixth release! For many years Michael's fans have begged him for a Christmas CD to no avail. In particular, Michael's good friend Doug Smith, a Grammy winning guitar player and National Fingerstyle Champion 200, insisted that he had to do a holiday record. Given the time constraints of family and business, Michael felt he just couldn't bring himself to invest three months on a project that might only get used one month out of a year. This past August, though, a large business commissioned Michael to produce a holiday CD to be presented to their employees and clients. Michael is now able to release this on his own label Out of the Blue Records. With the help of graphic artist/designer Nurmi Husa this long-awaited CD has finally arrived! "Joy to the World" and "O, Come All Ye Faithful" are light and fun. Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" calls to mind a cup of holiday java next to the warm embers of a evening fireplace. With "Silent Night", you can sing along with Michael's crisp guitar stylings layered into a lush orchestral accompaniment. Delight in the simple elegance of the solo acoustic guitar on "We Three Kings", "What Child is This" "Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella" and "O, Holy Night". Lose yourself in the full instrumental arrangement of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)". For those who crave a little more excitement, tap your foot to "Winter Wonderland" or actually get up and dance to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". "Acoustic Christmas" is Michael's personal choice of some of the world's best loved Christmas carols ever. Each song was meticulously arranged and recorded for optimum listening pleasure. Michael's recordings are used in radio, satellite radio, TV and radio commercials, web pages, background for documentaries, sit-coms, and a library of meditation CD's. Michael lives in Vancouver, Washington with his lovely wife Jackie and has two children.