Musicians: Michael Tinholme (vocals), Mike Mille (guitars), Steve Lukather (guitar),
Irvin 'Magic' Kramer (guitar), Bill Cunliffe (piano), Kim Hansen
(piano/keyboards), Bruce Fowler (trombone), Walt Fowler (trumpet/flugel horn),
Albert Wing (saxophone/clarinet/flute), Tom Fowler (bass), Gary Novak (drums),
Ralph Humphry (drums), Ray Yslas (percussion), Andrea Miller (vocals/1st vo),
Carissa Schroeder (vocals), Rebecca Jade (vocals), Alexis Nestor (vo), Austin
Nestor (vo), Jon Jon Nestor (vo), Aubrie Nestor (vo)
Tracks: Silver Bells, Sleigh Ride, Moonlight in Vermont, Christmas Time is Here, Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song, When Winter Falls on New
York, I'll Be Home for Christmas, Auld Lang Syne, Happy Christmas (War is Over),
O Holy Night, Maybe Next Year
Biography: Michael Tinholme's story is quite remarkable. He was discovered by Tom Fowler
legendary bassist and producer for Ray Charles. His band members include some of
today's greatest and accomplished musicians and artists. Michael's story spans
from homelessness to making music at the very top of the music business.
Michael's first professional gig was when he was 12 years old where
he appeared at clubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Michael's mother suffered from a lifetime of mental illness. For what
seemed like his own self-preservation, that soon turned to his own
self-destruction, Michael fled his home at the age of 15. He hitchhiked up and
down the west coast; pan handling, picking produce and working odd jobs. He
spent time on the streets and shelters of skid row in Long Beach, Los
Angeles, and Oakland.
Michael came off the streets when he was 21 years old and soon put
a band together and began to gig again. He was promptly signed to a management
contract and was soon being courted by top record labels. Still tormented by the
demons that put him on the streets and unable to cope with the
expectations that went beyond singing and performing Michael ran away from all
the wonderful opportunity’s that were presented to him.
The road from homelessness to success is about more than a house and a job,
it's also a state of mind. After many years of struggling with the demons that
put him on the streets Michael has found success again with his music. Today, he
works with the greatest musicians and artists of our time. You can hear in his
music and in his voice the influence of those early years. His original songs
"When Winter Falls on New York" and "Maybe Next Year" are melodically rich and
filled with strong visual images.
Michael never forgets the struggles that he faced while on the streets as a
kid and he is deeply honored to be working with Covenant House-a non-profit
organization devoted to getting homeless children off the streets and prevent
the sexual exploitation of homeless children everywhere. Proceeds from the
online sale of his CD "It's Christmas Time in the City" go to support Covenant
House.
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