We've launched an exciting new project of our own! Introducing the Kickstarter app for iPhone!

Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 22, 2012.

Everything has been mailed!!!

Update #8 · Dec 10, 2012 · comment

Dear Friends,

Well, we had a couple of snafus on the production end which caused a delay in getting the CDs in, and then out, but they are all mailed last week and this past weekend! Several friends have reported that they have arrived, so they should all be there any day!

I am delighted with the musicianship on this project! Please take a moment to read the liner notes to acknowledge the musicians! Especially Mark Kahny, the pianist and Musical Director, who was quite instrumental in arranging and overseeing the project while I was touring.

If any packages have not arrived by weeks end, please email to let me know. Also, a number of you have yet to submit your addresses for delivery of CDs! Please do so at your earliest convenience.

I can't thank you all enough! This ended up being quite a big project with many hands helping along the way. I applaud you all and hope you enjoy the final product. Cheers to you!

Love, Michael

PS ~ If any of you have comments or reviews, I would love to hear them :)

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Second week in the studio

Update #7 · Aug 28, 2012 · comment

Hello Dear Friends,

We are in our second week in the studio! Just so you know who you will hear on the CDs we have  Mark Kahny - Musical director and piano, Bobby Thompson - drums, Tom Lockwood - bass, Chris Lawrence - horns, Tom Hagen - clarinet, Mike Lutley - sax and Chris Martin - violin! These guys are AMAZING!!! This is a very exciting time seeing the months of preparation come together with many years of performance experience to create some very magical music. 

The arrangements are very personal and are great for dancing. Every number I've arranged is done with choreography in mind so that you, the listener, will hopefully be inspired to move and be a part of the music. There are seven songs directly from Broadway with the remaining being songs that have been in shows or films. Some you are very familiar with and some you may never have heard. We are taking artistic liberties and creating a mellow jazz swing I am delighted with.

In between arranging and recording I have been performing throughout the Midwest. It has been a marvelous and exciting journey. Monday I leave for Maine for a month of performances and return to Grand Rapids to complete the CDs in early October. Then mastering and manufacturing of the CDs and then to you!

I can't wait to get these to you!

Much Love,

Michael

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WOW! We did it!!!

Update #6 · Jul 24, 2012 · 1 comment

The project fundraising is completed and we reached 114% of the initial goal! That is incredible! I am on the road now and heading east from San Francisco in the morning. I am working on music all the way. I will keep you updated periodically as to how the recordings are progressing. If any of you have input I am open to hear it.

Again, I am grateful, humbled and honored by the overwhelming support and kind words I received for this project. I promise, I won't let you down.

A thousand kisses to you all,

Love, Michael

1 Comment

34 hours to go!

Update #5 · Jul 20, 2012 · comment

Wahoooooooeeeee!

34 hours to go! I am thrilled that this project is a go. You are all so very dear for lending your support. If you know of anyone who may wish to re-order or produce or want a concert/entertainment for their event there is still time, and strings are very possible!

Thanks a million,

Love, Michael

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You people are UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Update #4 · Jul 16, 2012 · comment

Wow! We still have a few more days to go and we are 109% funded! That means we have reached the minimum goal and the CDs are being made!!! I am speachless... almost!

This is a very busy, exciting time. The prep is quite involved and I am ready for it! We wrapped the season here in Palm Springs last week and I am gearing up to head east. The route is via San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lexington, Toronto and then Ogunquit, Maine! I hope to see as many of you as I can on the way.

I will be posting updates on the recording process for you all as we go along. 

Now that we have reached the initial goal, we are working toward raising as much as possible for additional musicians (strings!) and higher production values.  

I will keep you posted. Thanks a million!

Love, Michael

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133
Backers
$17,181
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Jun 22, 2012 - Jul 22, 2012 (30 days)

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    1 backer

    You get a single track download of any song on the CD's! Wahooooooo!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    7 backers

    You get a download of the Swinging Hot Jazz CD! Super juicy and fun to dance to!!!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    You get a download of the Super Cool Christmas CD! Something to warm the cockles of your heart (yup, I said cockles!!!).

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    17 backers

    You get an actual CD of the Swinging Hot Jazz Album before it is released to the general masses! That's right! The real thing to show all your friends!!!

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    10 backers

    You get an actual CD of the Super Cool Christmas Album before it is officially released to the public (you know, 'those people')! A Great stocking stuffer (if you like to stuff your stockings).

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    You get a download of the CD and an actual CD of the Swinging Hot Jazz Album! That's one to keep and one to give away! Wahooooo!

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    You get a download of the CD and an actual CD of the Super Cool Christmas CD! Keep it AND stuff it! How fun!!!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    11 backers

    You get a download of the CD and an autographed copy of the actual CD of the Swinging Hot Jazz Album! Signed by me!!!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    10 backers

    You get a download of the CD and an autographed actual CD of the Super Cool Christmas CD! A Christmas 2012 Keepsake ~

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    15 backers

    You get a download and an autographed copy of each CD! I sign 'em, I send 'em straight to you!!!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    11 backers

    You get a copy of each CD, signed with a salutation of your choice (ie - Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Nice Knowin' Ya, whatever you want!), to whomever you wish, with a Holiday Card from me and acknowledgement that it came from you! Woweeeee!!!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    6 backers

    You get an autographed copy of both CD's PLUS an autographed copy of my three other CD's (If You Were Wonderin', Let Yourself Go, The Judy Show CD) and a personal thank you! Yup! The whole Kit & Kaboodle!!!

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012
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    15 backers

    All of the above in #12 plus a liner note of thanks on the CD jacket! Your name in print!!!

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    Holy Cow!!! All of the above and special Producer Credit and acknowledgement on the album! See! I always knew you wanted to be a music producer!

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    All of the autographed CD's, a personal thank you from me, Producer Credit, and... wait for it... A concert with my band* in a venue of your choice!!! That's right! ***YOUR OWN CONCERT*** WAHOOOOO!!! *Three or more pieces - depending on location and availability, excluding travel.

    Estimated delivery: Nov 2012