MICHAEL MONROE

as far as I can sing....here now for 50 years

Sunday, November 24, 2002

Time: Reception 2:15pm Concert 3pm

Jim Brandenburg Images accompanied by Michael Monroe on Bamboo Flute....

Special Guest Performers:

Marc Anderson/Percussion

Erik Naslund/Trumpet

Ed Willett (Chance)/Cello

Pat Mackin/Sax

Kevin Daley/Guitar

Phil Kitchen/Guitar and Vocals

Location:

Theatre de la Jeune Lune

105 North First St..

Minneapolis MN 55401

Tickets: 612-612-333-6200

$20 General admission for advance sales

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. / OCTOBER 20, 2001 Performing/Recording Artist, Michael Monroe is in the fourth decade of his musical career, from vinyl to digital, Monroe celebrates the release of his 7th recording, his 50th birthday and his 32nd year of performing approximately 8000 performances. The concert celebrates Monroe's just released fifth compact disc, "IF", recorded at his solar powered log cabin MisTree Studio on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Featuring Monroe on vocals, acoustic guitar, bamboo and glass flutes, Marc Anderson on percussion, Ed Willett of "Chance" on cello and acoustic upright bass with a horn solo by Erik Naslund. Internationally known National Geographic wildlife photographer, author and long time Monroe fan Jim Brandenburg's photos grace the recording. Special guests from his days as a duo Michael Monroe, Trio/Group and have been invited to "sit in" during this concert.

Performing in concert, festival, club and educational settings since the 1970's, his first paid performance was in New Jersey for 4000 people. Within a year he was invited to record his first "demo" at Paul Stookey's (of Peter Paul and Mary) "chicken coop" studio in South Blue Hill, Maine. Since that time Monroe has been creatively producing music, as in the early seventies when he found a way to record one half of a vinyl album (Mike Monroe Castaway) sharing an album with another musical act. In 1980, he released his first full vinyl LP recording,"Summer Rain," including former Twin Cities' greats Billy Barber and Billy Berg. While performing at the "Willows" in the Minneapolis Hyatt hotel, a patron offered to connect him with a gig in St. Thomas. He originally thought they meant the college! His two month U.S. Virgin Island gig led to a two year stay. Then later experiences in India offered inspiration for his 1992"Twice In One Day", a recording which blends expressive lyrics with an "island sound." Even now, demand from a Hi-Fi Record Store in Japan ( Perrier Jingumae 3F, 6-19-17, Jingumae, Sibuya-Ku,Tokyo-To, Japan) has ordered new vinyl "Summer Rain" LPs which Monroe still has in stock. The store also streams his music from their web site: http://www.hi-figr.jp/rotation.html, live365.com. Coincidentally, Michael Monroe was "made" (conceived) in Japan.

After twenty years of performing Monroe began to creatively use technology during his performances, layering his guitar, flute and vocal harmonies "live" on stage with his unique looping technique. Star Tribune Music Editor Jon Bream said Monroe"uses this technique more as an instrument than a gimmick". "I have always heard these harmonies in my head," says Monroe who has also been called the "techno-troubadour". Audiences are genuinely surprised by his demonstration of these musical "toys" as he explains none of the music is prerecorded or squenced in advance of the performance.

In 1994 he moved to Hovland on the North Shore of Lake Superior with his life and business partner, Deb Mueller, who became a fan of Monroe in 1972 and longed to be part of his musical journey. They had talked back then of the North Shore cabin and now live off the grid, haul water and enjoy a wonderful artist community in the Grand Marais area.

Monroe's 1997 solar powered recording, "as far as i can see", was a TOP TEN MN Star Tribune recording, "A work of art straight from the heart." It was also nominated "Best Indie" recording by the Minnesota Music Academy and the St. Paul Pioneer Press found "Monroe is a thoughtful tunesmith... sounding more timely than ever." Other North Shore musicians discovered his solar powered MisTree studio and Monroe has been producing, arranging and performing on their studio projects, loving the creative process and connection with other artists.

"Fully at peace with his subtle, yet expressively powerful, delivery", the Duluth News Tribune stated in their feature article about his life in the woods and Monroe's 2000 Live recording, "Abandin My Own Mind" which was recorded at Minnesota Public Radio "Live in Grand Marais" broadcast.

June of 2002, Monroe participated in the "North House Unplugged" song circle, which brought together Michael McDonald (former Doobie), Jon Vezner (Grammy winner), Bernie Leadon (former Eagle) to benefit Grand Marais' North House and Kathy Mattea made a surprise guest appearance. Monroe says, "I felt honored to participate with these greats and thought how cool, that they came to my backyard!"

Another returning backyard visitor was Jason Davis of KSTP. October 2002, Michael Monroe was featured as part of a his television special, "Grand Marais, a North Shore Work of Art" where, in addition to a segment about Monroe's lifestyle, his music was featured throughout the show.

Monroe performs nationally, often with corporations who find his performance and lyrics add heart and soul to their national conferences. He has not sought national attention in the music biz. He loves Minnesota and finds that it rewards him to travel his own musical path. Monroe brings his musical and environmental programs, to schools as part of the Minnesota State Arts Board Roster, Young Audiences of Minnesota as well as the Duluth Depot Outreach program. Performing with his portable solar powered set up from Minnesota to the California Capitol Steps for "Clean Power Day" serve to educate audiences about the renewable resources.

Debra Mueller is his manager and has a complimentary career as a Life Coach, challenging her clients to find balance, fulfillment and realize goals. Her career evolved from professional skating and corporate exectutive nursing which she left behind to promote Monroe in 1991. They collaborate on workshops in settings wishing to utilize her coaching skills and Monroe's original music which offers compelling energy to their program.

Monroe's effective and versatile repertoire continues to captivate audiences of all ages with his unique blend of guitar, bamboo/glass flute and rich vocals. Together they create a powerful style of acoustic folk, reggae and jazz...a style that is as much fun as it is innovative.

Awards/Highlights

• 2001 McKnight Music Fellowship Finalist
• 2001 MN State Arts Board Grant, Artist In Residency, Ivan Sand School, Elk River, MN
• 2000-02 Performing Artist Rosters: MN State Arts Board, Young Audiences, Duluth Depot Outreach.
• 2000 Fiscal recipient Fellowship Grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
• 2000 "as far as i can see" nominated Best CD, JP Folks-National Online Newsletter.
• 1999 Grand Marais Art Colony Calendar: "as far as i can see" and "Twice In One Day" lyrics featured to inspire artists in their monthly calendar art selections.
• 1998 Fiscal recipient of a Career Development Grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, funding attendance at the National Folk Alliance in Albuquerque, NM, February, 1999.
• 1997 "as far as i can see" , TOP TEN Minnesota Recording, by Minneapolis Star Tribune.
• 1997 "as far as i can see" , Nominated Best Indie Recording, Minnesota Music Academy
• 1997 South Florida Songwriter's Competition- performed in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as a top finalist and finished in 6th place after the performance in this national competition.
• 1994 Nominated for the National Association Campus Activities Entertainment Award.

Discography Chased By The Light, MisTree, 2003 CD, music from the PBS documentary, "Chased By The Light" IF, MisTree, 2002 CD Abandin My Own Mind MisTree, 2000 CD, "LIVE" Solo recorded MN Public Radio Broadcast +New Years Eve,1999, Imax Theatre, as far as i can see, MisTree 1997 CD/ Cassette TOP TEN MN STAR TRIBUNE Solo project recorded in harmony with Nature using solar power MisTree Studio. Summer Rain, MisTree, 1994 CD/Cassette Twice In One Day, MisTree, 1992 CD/, Cassette Summer Rain, New Beginnings, 1980 Vinyl At Home, Paul Stookey's (of Peter, Paul & Mary) Studio,1976, (Cassette) South Blue Hill, ME Mike Monroe Castaway, HIS Associates Limited, 1973 Vinyl

Recording Producer/Arranger/Performer 2001-02 Co-Produce/Arrange/Perform on Maryl Skinner's "Antler Bear Kazoo" 2000 Co-Produce/Arrange/Perform on Joe Paulik, "The Road" 2000 Co-Produce/Arrange/Perform on Leah Thomas, CD "Rock and Bone Recording Project 2000 Mixed and Mastered "LIVE At The Amazing Grace" Sterling Waters CD Recording Project 1999 Recorded/Produced/Arranged/Performed "Spirit of the Shore", CD Recording Project 1997 Recorded North Shore's "Debbie", 3 strong North Shore women, ARAC Grant Activity 1996 Recorded/Produced/Arranged/Performed "Native Realities", CD Recording Project