Michael Caruso (musician)

Michael Caruso
Background information
Birth name Michael Anthony Caruso
Born (1954-05-23) May 23, 1954
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Rock, alternative
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, performer
Years active 1974–present
Associated acts Michaels Disciples

Michael Caruso is an American singer-songwriter, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 23, 1954. He studied both music and theater at the world-renowned American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan then later moved to the West Coast where he was employed as a songwriter for Homegrown Music, Geffen Music Group, Sony Music Publishing and Chrysalis Music. He performed as a solo artist and as Frontman for the band "Michael's Disciples".

Biography

Probably Caruso's most well known work remains Love Is[1] co-written with Tonio K, John Keller and recorded by Vanessa L. Williams and Brian McKnight, featured on the Beverly Hills 90210 Soundtrack. It was nominated for a Grammy in the best of R & B vocal category and earned Michael a special citation of achievement from BMI for garnering two million broadcast performances. However, Caruso's musical journey afforded him to collaborate with many other artists and writers: co-writes with Tamara Champlin and Dennis Matkosky for Chris LeDoux's "Runaway Love" (that appeared on Billboard's Country Music's Top 40 Chart) and Rita Coolidge's Shoo Rah.[2] Caruso's most recorded song would surely be "Guns of Love" (written with Randy Sharp[3] and John Keller) performed by Maura O'Connell, the Moffats (who performed this on "Good Morning America" on July 3, 1995 donating proceeds from their release to the families of victims of the Oklahoma City bombings), Pam Rose for her Album " Morpheus", was also featured on Grammy Award Winner Kathy Mattea's Album "Roses";[4] and finally by Caruso himself on his 2011 EP "When The Devil Starts To Pray."

Caruso with Michaels Disciples

On "You Won't Get To Heaven Alive" by Tamara Champlin,[5] Caruso was a background vocalist, player on several tracks, co-producer on two, and co-writes included the title track, "Purple Black and Blonde", "St Anne's Wheel" & "Tragic Black" that featured the magic of Nicky Hopkins [6] on Piano. On Will Champlin's (Finalist for 2013 The Voice) solo projects, Caruso was a co-writer on many songs from "The Goldmine Sessions", his Self Titled "Will Champlin" CD, and his EP "Killing Me With Twilight". He collaborated on Bill Champlin's (formerly of Chicago) most critically acclaimed Solo Album "No Place Left To Fall";[7] again Michael wrote the title track (with Bill and Tamara Champlin) and the barn burner "Tuggin' on Your Sleeve" (written with Bill Champlin and Will Champlin). Caruso also co-wrote with Joan Jett and Randy Cantor[8] a cut featuring Joan Jett & the Blackhearts for the Days of Thunder (soundtrack) entitled "Long Live The Night". Later, again as a song writer, he attracted Music Row's attention with Bekka Bramlett "What's on My Mind"[9] (another Caruso, T. Champlin & D. Matkosky collaboration).

In Episode 7 of the 2011 Season of Single Ladies on VH1, Lori Michael's performed the Michael Caruso & Tamara Champlin's haunting ballad, "Pretty When She Cries", that had previously been featured on her CD "Living My Life Out Loud" [10] released in 2008.

Michael Caruso's[11] EP "When The Devil Starts To Pray" was a mix of folk, pop, Celtic, rock and alternative music. The co-writers and musicians involved in the project were some of the industries greats: Randy Sharp; Trey Bruce, Roy Braverman, Tamara Champlin, Jeff Paris,[12] Glenn Goss, TJ McFarland, Dennis Matkosky;[13] Michael St.Thomas, and Moon Calhoun. A film short, Sunshine Deprivation Blues[14] featured one of the EP's songs "Tell Me What You Will" (sharing vocals with Glenn Goss). Caruso released the singles "True Love's Tears" (Caruso/Sharp) in 2014, "Good When You're Gone" (Caruso/Paris/Kravitz) in 2015 and "What A Day" (Caruso/Rydell) in 2016.

In addition to collaborations with influential artists as Lita Ford, Terri Nunn, Vixen, and Michael LeCompt,[15] Caruso has also worked with the legendary Sammy Cahn, Eric Bazilian, Paul Williams, Dave Berg and Tom Keane. He continues to compose, perform and explore new ways to connect to our world and to his audience.

Discography

Michael Caruso – In The Studio
Michael Caruso

References


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