Born in Oklahoma, at the age of five Michael began his musical journey on the piano. A few years later he picked up the violin and began playing in school orchestras. As his love for music grew, so did his interest in rock and roll. Because of his background, at the age of fifteen, the guitar became the natural choice and he practiced constantly. He began playing in various rock bands and almost immediately began developing a reputation as a talented guitarist. Michael was featured in Mike Varney's "Spotlight" column in the March 1983 issue of Guitar Player