Stillwater, OK-based country singer-songwriter Evan Michaels is set to release his new album, It’s About Time, on August 21, 2015. It’s About Time is not just the title of Evan Michaels’ latest album; it’s the mantra that has reshaped his life’s choices and songwriting style. “I needed to man-up,” says Evan. “This album is all about me acknowledging where I have been, admitting to what I have done and knowing what I need to do to move on.” With over 200 songs written and thousands of hours performing in front of audiences, Evan knows how to tell a story. His hard work and songwriting has garnered the supporting act roles with national star name acts Chris Young, Craig Morgan, Whiskey Myers, Jake Owen, the Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum.
Evan’s parents and hometown of Ponca City, OK helped make him the driven, hardworking businessman and musician he is today. “We were taught to work hard, do what’s right and if you have to feel something, do it through your music,” says Evan. “I knew for me at a very early age that I loved music and not being in music was not an option for me.” The Michaels children each had to study piano for three years before they were allowed to pick up another instrument. Evan only wanted to play the guitar, but paid his piano study dues for three years and worked a paper route before and after school to pay for his first guitar. By junior high he had started a band that played Top 40 because he couldn’t find any players who thought country was cool. He was playing for talent contests, parties and community functions in high school and had his first professional job as a musician during his first year in college. Evan’s first paid gig was as the lead singer for the local bar’s house band at Oklahoma State University.
“Most of my songs back then were all about partying and having a good time,” says Evan. “There was a lot of fluff in my lyrics and song structure, but the music was fun and echoed my beliefs at the time.” This fun-loving, have a good time with easy hooks and simple melodies formula seemed to work well for Evan.
“I got caught up in the dream,” says Evan. “It’s fun and games until you really get snapped back into reality. For so long I was playing the part of a heartbreaker until this girl broke mine. I was a mess and couldn’t let her go or admit the problem was with me. I ignored the pain and open wounds of my messed up relationships. Then, a few years ago my mother died. All during her battle with cancer, she never wanted anyone to fuss over her. We thought she was getting better, but she didn’t let us know it was as bad as it really was. I was wrecked but never felt like I could open up or share my feelings about it. The songs on this album gave me the ability to share some of these feelings. Through my music, I know who I am, where I have been and where I’m going. I finally realized it’s about time.”
|
“It’s About Time is a wakeup call of years hitting the snooze on the reality of who I am,” Evan says. “I can finally look back and understand that I am a product of my childhood and that’s OK. I wasn’t told ‘I love you’ and certainly didn’t feel comfortable saying it. I was blessed to be able to study music and use it to say what I want. I drove tractors and worked cattle. I broke hearts and had my heart broken. I went down some wrong roads. I made mistakes. It’s about time I own all this and move on with my life. That’s what this album is all about. I’m a singer-songwriter and I have a story to tell.”
“For me it’s all about the story,” says Evan. “That’s why I love country music. It’s real people with real stories. I want my music to tell you a story that means something to you.”
Be the first to comment