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MICHAEL FIX

Put a guitar into Michael Fix's hands and the emotional possibilities of music are suddenly released. This remarkable composer and musician has the power to create myriad sensory experiences through his music - it captures and conveys emotions, experiences and images with ease. And they are unforgettable. Over the past decade, he's released six albums, together with several singles and EPs, and has established himself as one of Australia's finest guitarists and composers, performing at festivals across the country, and writing evocative music for television, film and documentaries. He's also won numerous awards for his music, including three Golden Guitars, and his guitar workshops are in high demand all over Australia and internationally. Indeed, Michael's reputation is growing rapidly. He has already achieved international recognition, performing in the United States and New Zealand, as well as numerous times on Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. Now, he receives regular invitations to perform at festivals and concerts throughout Italy and germany. Michael began performing in his home town of Wollongong at the age of 12, and in his early twenties moved to Sydney, where he was discovered by the legendary Tommy Emmanuel. Emmanuel became a mentor to the young guitarist and spent several years teaching and working with him. Michael's credentials include acclaimed Sydney band Hat Trick, which he joined in 1985. Hat Trick specialised in eclectic versions of classical and folk pieces, and this music has played a major role in the development of Michael's own musical style. The years 1991-95 saw Michael working with award-winning singer/songwriter Graeme Connors, touring Australia several times as lead guitarist with Connors' Prodigal Sons band. Michael also found time to produce two independent solo albums, Tantalise and Fingerpaintings, and to build up a strong and rapidly growing following for his work with a succession of solo shows. His next album, The Heart Has Reasons, established Michael's distinctive, evocative style, which has emerged once again in his latest release, Web of Dreams. On Web of Dreams, this remarkable composer and guitarist has taken his ability to evoke compelling emotional and sensual experiences to a new level. Something's Cooking (2005) is Michael's seventh album, and the one he believes is most representative of his music. It is relatively laid-back and acoustic, with the focus on solo guitar, although other instruments have been selectively brought in to add to the feeling of some tracks. In 1999, Michael was recognised by the CMAA with his first Instrumental of the Year Golden Guitar, for the catchy "Mr Wonglepong". He went on to win the award the following year with "Walkin' the Walk", and took it out again in 2003 with "Mulga Dan", joining Keith Urban with the highest-ever tally of Instrumental Golden Guitars. Michael performs regularly at music festivals around the country and overseas. His distinctive, eclectic and accessible style make him a popular performer at everything from guitar festivals to jazz and blues festivals, folk festivals and country music events. He's also toured with artists like Albert Lee, Christine Anu and Anne Murray, as well as appearing with the world's greatest guitarists - including Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel and Martin Taylor - at festivals in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

On Australia Day 1997, Michael opened the Gift to a Nation concert, performing Classical Gas with Tommy Tycho's orchestra. This event was filmed before 150,000 people and telecast live across the nation on the Seven Network.

Michael regularly presents guitar workshops to aspiring guitarists captivated by both his expertise on the guitar and his original music. In 1997 he released a video, No Secrets!, demonstrating his style and offering tips to other guitarists.

Michael believes strongly that his music is a gift which should be shared. Over the years, he has taken the chance to use his music to assist others. In 1995, he penned "Bush Bash" to raise funds for the Variety Club of Australia. The song was used as part of the Variety Club's annual car rally.

In 2002, following the death of legendary country guitarist Barry Thornton, Michael recorded Remembering Barry Thornton, a fundraising EP to assist Barry's family. He also penned a single in memory of Barry, "Mulga Dan". The song went on to win Michael his third Instrumental of the Year Golden Guitar, as well as taking out the 2003 Victorian Country Music Award in the Instrumental category.

A leading exponent of contemporary acoustic guitar and a consummate performer - and he makes it look so easy! Michael's repertoire includes Jazz and Blues, Celtic and Australian Folk, Country, Classical and his own distinctive compositions, many of which have received national TV and radio exposure, as well as various major awards. Michael's unique style - distinctively Australian and highly original in its presentation - marks him as a performer not to be missed.

Career highlights

2004, 2005, 2006 Tours of Germany and Italy

2004 & 2001 Queensland Recording Association winner, Instrumental album of the Year

2003 CMAA Golden Guitar winner, Instrumental of the Year, "Mulga Dan"

2003 Victorian Country Music Award, Best Instrumental, "Mulga Dan"

2000 CMAA Golden Guitar winner, Instrumental of the Year, "Walkin' the Walk"

2000 Release of "Michael Fix" signature model guitar by Maton Guitars

2000 Invited to perform at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention, Nashville

1999 CMAA Golden Guitar winner, Instrumental of the Year, "Mr Wonglepong"

1999 International guitar festival with Leo Kottke, Martin Taylor & Tommy Emmanuel, Auckland NZ

1997 Australia Day: Opened the Gift to a Nation concert, performing "Classical Gas" with Tommy Tycho's orchestra. (150.000 people live and telecast on Seven Network).

1997 Australian tour with Canadian singer Anne Murray

1997 Soloist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, presenting the music of Gershwin all over Australia

1995 Australian tour with US guitar legend Albert Lee.

1994 release of "Bush Bash" in conjunction with the Variety Club Bash to raise funds for children

Regular appearances on Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton

Festival performances over the past decade include regular appearances at the Frankston Guitar Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Gympie Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Norfolk Island Country Music Festival, Lord Howe Island Music Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival, Grafton Music Festival, Blue Mountains Festival, Jabiru Festival of the Wind, Top Half Folk Festival, Grafton Artsfest, NZ Mainland Festival and the Emerald Country Music Festival.

Discography Albums

Somethings Cooking (2005)

Web of Dreams (2003) Sunday Morning (2001) Transfixed (2000) The Heart Has Reasons (1996, re-release 2004) Fingerpaintings (1993) Tantalise (1992)

EPs Remembering Barry Thornton (2002) Promise (1998)

Singles Walkin' the Walk (1999) Breakup Breakdown (1997) Restless (1996) Falling (1995) Sundaze (1995) Bush Bash (1994)

Video No Secrets! (1997)

The Ellis Stompbox is called by many names such as Cajon, Foot Drum, Hand Drum, Percussion Drum, Australian Artists have embraced the Stomp Box and it is being used in the Studio and on Stage by Ash Grunwald, Nathan Gaunt, Desert Child, Dave Mann, Jack Ceriani, Second Gear, Khin Myint, Joe Camilleri, Bruce Mathiske, Matt Katsis, Phil Manning, Michael Fix, Josh Pyke, Craig Sinclair, Toby, James Michael Thompson, Roy Martinez, Andrew Winton and many more.