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Michael Tomlinson

With his honey-warm voice and earthy, uplifting lyrics, Seattle-based singer/songwriter Michael Tomlinson’s songs comfort the weary soul. Drawing upon folk, smooth jazz, and Americana, Tomlinson’s songs unfold with an easygoing charm and crystalline clarity, driven by his moving, poetic narratives. Tomlinson’s latest album, The Way Out West, finds him reflecting on his life, how the experiences of his past have taught him compassion and helped him appreciate the stunning beauty of his beloved Pacific Northwest. The Way Out West could be seen as a journal of the two decades of his life since Tomlinson left his home in Austin, Texas, and made Seattle his home. On the cover, Tomlinson is seen in silhouette holding his guitar as he walks among bold outlines of trees; the brilliant blue of the sky lending a sense that he is embarked on a new beginning. The title track describes the grief of leaving all he knew behind, while the wind-swept strains of “Seattle Skies” conveys his life long love of changing seasons and natural elements. Tomlinson moved to Washington State after a homemade cassette of his song, “The Climb,” became the most-requested track of all time on popular Seattle FM radio station, KEZX. The station had developed its ownprogressive music format that would eventually become known as Adult Album Alternative (AAA), and Tomlinson’s friendly hybrid of folk and rock, with a jazz-inflected vocal delivery, was greeted with wide enthusiasm. Inspired by the smashing reception from KEZX and its listeners, Tomlinson recorded and self-released his debut LP, Run This Way Forever. Made available through his Desert Rain label, the record sold 15,000 copies in its first month in Seattle. It eventually moved over 100,000 units nationally as other independent radio stations began adding cuts from the album in high rotation. By his second LP, Tomlinson had signed with a new L.A. record company. The album, Still Believe, earned Tomlinson his first Top-10 Adult Contemporary hit, “Dawning On a New Day,” and he headlined major theaters across the country as a result of its success. However, an amicable relationship with the label was short-lived. By his fourth record, Tomlinson had grown disenchanted with the company, and when he discovered that the label was secretly shifting his contract to a larger, international company, he rebelled, eventually regaining all of the rights to his previous work. Tomlinson then revived his Desert Rain label, freeing himself from corporate obligations and creative interference.

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Event

An Evening with Michael Tomlinson at Mukilteo Coffee Roasters in Langley, WA on April 24th

An Evening with Michael Tomlinson at Mukilteo Coffee Roasters in Langley, WA on April 24th

Source: Michael Ricci

April 24, 2010, 7pm, Tickets $20 Mukilteo Coffee Roasters 3228 Lake Leo Way Langley, WA 98260 Seattle's favorite son “Michael Tomlinson" performs in the woods on Saturday, April 24th at Mukilteo Coffee Roasters from 7pm. to 9:30pm. Michael's had amazing success in his long career putting out such hits as “The Climb" which was the most requested song on our beloved former radio station “KEZX" Michael's album “Dawning of a new day" sold over 100,000 copies. ...

121

Performance / Tour

Michael Tomlinson in Concert at Laguna Playhouse

Michael Tomlinson in Concert at Laguna Playhouse

Source: Michael Ricci

Come enjoy an evening of unforgettable music by Michael Tomlinson in a rare “one night only" concert at the Laguna Playhouse, benefiting Pacific Marine Mammal Center. Concert begins at 7:30 PM in Laguna Beach, CA. Tickets are $25 each (plus tax and service fee.) There will be a 20 minute intermission with a drink bar and snacks available for purchase. All ticket sales from the evening's event go towards the cost of food and medication for recovering seal and sea ...

143

Interview

Singer/Songwriter Michael Tomlinson Interviewed at AAJ

Singer/Songwriter Michael Tomlinson Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

Before smooth jazz, there was Michael Tomlinson--the radio format, that is.

In the mid-'80s, Tomlinson became a staple among stations that would eventually evolve into smooth jazz or Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) such as KTWV “The Wave" in Los Angeles. In fact, it was one such FM outlet, the late KEZX in Seattle, where Tomlinson found such early success that it inspired him to relocate to “The Emerald City." Tomlinson achieved this without the benefit of a record label, ...

"Tomlinson has a very real talent with musical hooks. . . almost every tune bristles rhythmic choruses rich with sizzling rhythms and memorable melodies. . . a perfect illustration of a performer whose optimism far outshines his dark side." ~Don Heckman, LA Times "The whole sell-out crowd at Michael Tomlinson's concert connected deeply with his intimate performance and propelled him to a graceful two-hour troubadour tour-de-force of singing and story-telling." ~ Beau Brendler, Anchorage Times "Michael Tomlinson's music truly explores the issues of the heart." ~ James Redfield, Author of The Celestine Prophecy "Michael's CDs feature his appealing tenor and melody-rich songs that focus on healing and unity among humankind through understanding and honest communication." ~ John Roos, LA Times "Through the years of my broadcast experience Michael has always had the ability to turn the ear, I've made many friends playing his music and the wait for his Florida appearance was so worth it

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Way Out West

Self Produced
2008

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One Way Through

From: The Way Out West
By Michael Tomlinson

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