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Michael Kelsh

I was raised in San Antonio, Texas.
At the age of eleven, I started playing guitar:
a Sears and Roebuck's acoustic and a Framus electric.
I learned 'Hide Your Love Away', House of the Rising Sun',
'Louie, Louie', and 'As Tears Go By'.

In 1967, our combo played 'Gloria' to our elementary school
in Heidelberg, Germany.

Back in the states, I absorbed the musical fare reverberating
around San Antonio.

After moving to Tarboro, North Carolina, I joined 'Jack and the Cadillacs' in high school, playing some 'serious' blues and rock and roll.

In Chapel Hill, NC, I played in the 'Hope Valley Trio', a reformed 'Jack and the Cadillacs', and in 1986 joined 'Southern Culture on the Skids'.

After I left 'Southern Culture', I put out two solo records ('Ghostdance' and 'Steel Blue Ballads'). I am honored to have opened shows for the likes of Warren Zevon, Richard Thompson, Doc and Merle Watson, Lucinda Williams, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Steve Forbert, Eric Andersen, Sleepy Labeef, Alex Chilton and NRBQ.

In 1993, I moved to Nashville, and lived on 16th Avenue South for ten years, writing for Pickard Mountain Publishing, Not Stock Music (EMI), Warner-Chapell Publishing and Sonoita Music (BMI). I landed an artist developmental deal with Bill Halverson.

At this time, I began touring, writing, recording, and performing with many of my heroes: Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Joy Lynn White, The Sky Kings, Bobbie Cryner, Jack Sundrud, Linda Hargrove, Charles John Quarto, Danny Flowers, George Hamilton IV and V, John Cowan, Poco, Rusty Young, Bill Lloyd, Hugh Moffitt, Bonnie Bramlett, Michael Rhodes, Russ Mason, Duane Jarvis, Billy Block, Robert Reynolds, Stu Cole, Cidny Bullens, Sam Baker, Marcus Hummon, Walt Wilkins, and others.

In 2001, I recorded my album 'Well of Mercy' in Rodney Crowell's basement, engineered by Donivan Cowart and produced by the great Bill Halverson.

For much of these last many years, my musical adventures have included, as a member of The Saint Augustine Ramblers, support to Becca Stevens and her brilliant message of love, hope and justice.

'Harmony Sovereign' is my latest recording, graced by the talents of Jack Sundrud, Bill Halverson, Siobhan Kennedy, Tammy Rogers, Paul Griffith, John Cowan, Ray Kennedy and Bob Delevante. Halverson narrowed the field to 16 songs and sequenced them.

Lastly, I am so grateful. Peace and Love.

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