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SPORTS JINGLES FOR MIKE VEECK / VEECK ADVERTISING
Michael has produced recent jingles for advertising guru, Mike Veeck. "Veeck is a hoot to work for," Michael says, "heís got a great ear for jingles and heís a big fan of the fans."  Michael has completed jingles for several Veeck sports teams, including the Fort Myers Miracle, Hudson Valley Renegades, Portland Beavers, and the Brockton Rox.  Past clients include the Detroit Tigers, Charleston Riverdogs, Carolina Stingrays (a minor league hockey team), and First Choice Health Care Company. Melodies for both the "Miracle" and the "Renegades" were composed by Joe Ausanio, former NY Yankees pitcher (1995-1996), now working with Renegades team in upstate New York.  "Joe has a great knack for melodies," Michael says.  "He calls up and leaves jingle ideas on my voice mail."  While playing for the Yankees, he roomed with Wade Boggs, and has a lot of great baseball stories to tell. Veeck is still involved with the Saint Paul Saints, one of St. Paulís greatest outdoor attractions. Check Michaelís gig page for information on performances at Saints games this summer! 

MICHAEL HELPS PRODUCE NEW WENDY VICKERS CD 
Michael helped to produce an audio book recently for longtime friend and web-guru, Wendy Vickers.  In the new CD, Treasures In the Tip Jar: The Art of Awesome Fan Support, Wendy reveals the key to getting noticed by artists for the right reasonsÖgiving fan support in the most meaningful and positive ways. "The message here is how to support the work first and foremostÖand bring blessings to the artists and benefits to yourself that you may never have thought possible," she says.   Wendyís voice recording was done at REM Video and Event Company.  Michael then added some voices and other bells and whistles at his home studio. In addition, he also shot the CD cover and created the cover design!  Congratulations Wendy!! 

MICHAEL TO PLAY FOR THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS THIS SUMMER!
July 13th, 2004 - Michael played at another benefit for Minnesota Viking Matt Birkís HIKE Foundation, which has been established to provide the Twin Citiesí at-risk young people with opportunities to pursue their dreams. The event was an all-day charity golf tournament at the Wilds golf course, in PriorLake.  Michael performed from 11:00 am - Noon and 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm.  The mission of the HIKE Foundation is "to provide educational opportunities and resources needed to excel in the classroom and in life."  Matt Birk attended Nativity Grade School and Cretin-Derham High School, same alma maters as Michael!  Matt then went onto Harvard, where he earned a Finance Degree. 

MICHAEL AND SON RECORDING ORIGINAL SONGS 
A few months back, Michael recorded a collaborative track with 18-year old son, Jimi.  Jimi wrote the music and recorded the foundation tracks at dadís studio. Dad added a few instruments and wrote some words. The song is entitled "Shakiní again."  You can hear a sample on this websites "sounds" section, accessible from the home page.   The song is also available to hear in its entirety at ACIDplanet.  Dad is beaming:  "both Jimi and I are pumped about it," he said. "It felt good to bring a song to the finish line and Iím sure thereís more to come."  Jimi shows great chops on the guitar, where he likes to utilize alternate tunings.   In addition to being a great player, Jimmy loves to change dadís guitar strings. "That rocks," says Dad. Stay tuned for more tunesÖ 

MICHAEL PLAYS FOR CHIEF WILLIAM FINNEYíS RETIREMENT PARTY
June 5th, 2004 - Michael performed at a retirement party for St. Paul Chief of Police, William Finney.  There were several hundred people in attendance.  Michael played before the party, as well as in throughout the night.  The event was held at the St. Paul Radisson Hotel. 

MICHAEL PLAYING MUSIC AT NATIVITY OF OUR LORD CHURCH 
Itís been nearly 15 years since Michael was enticed to play music at his alma mater, Nativity Church, by his brother, Patrick.  "My initial thought was that I couldnít survive Sunday morning Mass after playing late gigs the night before," says Michael, "but Patrick encouraged me to stick it out and be disciplined about it." The group has evolved over the years. Patrick decided to leave the group a couple years ago. 

Michael plays at 9:30 am and 5:00 pm Sunday services, along with sidekick Amy Kuebelbeck, who plays guitar, sings and plans the music for the group.  Michael and Amy are joined each week by a rotation of singers, which includes Damien Riehl and John Theis, along with saxophonist/clarinetist David Methner, and violinist Brigid McCarthy, who plays with the group when sheís in town from her Boston Music Conservatory. 

In addition to the Sunday services, Michael and Amy oversee a youth singing group (comprised of 6th, 7th and 8th graders) which sings for the all-school liturgies. Michael enjoys working with the kids. "Some of them have a lot of passion for music, and we can see the enjoyment in their eyes."  Michael, Amy and their group also play for various church services during the week, as well as for weddings and funerals. "Itís a real gift for me to bring my music together with my faith," Michael says.  "My mom was always so proud of my piano playing, and Iím very happy and grateful that itís become a central part of my life."   Amy Kuebelbeck is a renowned author, who used to write for the Associated Press. Her book, Waiting with Gabriel, is a beautiful story about cherishing her babyís brief life.  (Loyola Press, Chicago:  "The book is not simply one of personal tragedy ? itís a story of deep parental love, of the blessing of supportive family and friends, and of cherishing life.  It is the story of one family, and one baby, but it will touch  the minds and hearts of all who read it.") 

UPDATE - OTHER PROJECTS: 

MUSIC / RECORDING: 
Recently produced jingles include The Fort Myers Miracle, Hudson Valley Renegades, Brockton Rox, Portland Beavers, Jingle Production in process for Omni Health and Fitness Center. Writing and recording with son, Jimi (see the Sounds page to hear a snippet of their song, "Shakiní again.") Recording completed on Wendy Vickerís new audio book, "Treasures in the Tip Jar:  The Art of Awesome Fan Support."