Album Notes

Like his song "Jack of All Trades" says, singer/songwriter Michael Gaither has done a bit of everything: journalist, corporate trainer, even joke writer for Jay Leno. All roads danced around - and eventually led back to - writing. And music. He favors songs with stories and tales of day-to-day life: Big cars. Bad drivers. A baby’s first steps. And, well, even mules. This debut CD, the 2006 release "Spotted Mule and Other Tales", is an Americana mix of folk, bluegrass, and a little gospel. (Michael’s song “Entertaining an Angel”, from this record, was one of 20 winning entries in the Indie Artists Alliance "Songwriters and Storytellers" contest in May of 2007.) Michael also produces and hosts "Songs and Stories", a bi-monthly songwriting podcast which features stories behind his songs and interviews with other songwriters. Songs and Stories can be heard on his web site at www.michaelgaither.com, in iTunes (it's a free subscription) and Friday evenings on Grateful Dread Radio, a Baltimore-based Internet station carried by the Live365 network. Here's what a few folks have to say about "Spotted Mule and Other Tales": "A brilliant debut CD from Michael Gaither. A fine blend of folk, bluegrass, alternative country and Americana in its purest sense. Aside from the strong songwriting ability and Slaid Cleaves-style vocals, Michael surrounds himself with very strong and multi-talented musicians. (Jeff Scammon, Wild West Radio/KVMR FM, Nevada City) "Album of the Week for May 21 2007": Michael Gaither, "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" (Eddie O'Strange, Town & Country Radio [New Zealand]) "It's a testament to Gaither's songwriting skills that songs about mules and bad drivers come across as effective and engaging, as opposed to gimmickry, and there's a lot to be excited about in an artist who, relatively early in his career, shows this much promise." (Paul Davis, Metro Santa Cruz)