Artist Bio

GARY LEE MICHAEL

The heart & Soul of Country Music

ARTIST BIO

In the first year and a half of his professional career, Gary Lee Michael, was nominated for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year and Independent Songwriter of the Year by the MIRL as well as the CMA “Eagle Award”. Gary also won the EIA Male Vocalist of the Year award, was inducted into the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame and given an honorary membership to the CMA. In 1991, Gary was also appointed States Representative of the Southeast Region for the CMA.

Gary’s first single was “Daddy’s Little Girl”, a song that touched the hearts of people all over the world. This was evidenced when “Daddy’s Little Girl” became the most requested song for three weeks in Ireland. First lady Barbara Bush even sent a card thankingIn the first year and a half of his professional career, Gary Lee Michael, was nominated for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year and Independent Songwriter of the Year by the MIRL as well as the CMA “Eagle Award”. Gary also won the EIA Male Vocalist of the Year award, was inducted into the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame and given an honorary membership to the CMA. In 1991, Gary was also appointed States Representative of the Southeast Region for the CMA.

Gary’s first single was “Daddy’s Little Girl”, a song that touched the hearts of people all over the world. This was evidenced when “Daddy’s Little Girl” became the most requested song for three weeks in Ireland. First lady Barbara Gary for writing such a touching song. Radio personalities responded with great praise as well and to this day people still ask Gary about the song. The video was shown on CMT, “Shot Gun Red”, and “The Morning show”.

“Daddy’s Little Girl” was followed by “Wish You Didn’t Love Him The way I love You” and a third single entitled “Hometown Boy” that soared into the top 20 reaching #19 on the Billboard charts and #8 on the Cash Box charts. Gary’s most exciting moment in country music came when he looked at the charts and saw his song “Home Town Boy” at #19 with a bullet and Garth Brooks “Two of a Kind” at #20 with Vince Gil’s “Pocket Full of Gold” at #18.

Little did Gary know that several weeks later his promising career would come to a screeching halt…

Gary began playing and singing in the church at age four, tutored by his parents Roy and Mildred Sikes of Matthews North Carolina. Roy and Mildred played eleven musical instruments between themselves. Later Gary would master the guitar, bass guitar, piano and lap steel with proficiency. Musical talent had been bred into him. At sixteen, Gary started playing bass guitar for a gospel group, which is when he began to write songs.

Gary had a penchant for ballads and songs that he felt were meaningful. In his own words Gary recalls “I love up-tempo songs but my heart is in the ballads… Gary was shy as a boy and a little afraid to ask girls out. With the help of his guitar he overcame his shyness…” There was this shopping center near where I grew up… Everybody would ride through, cruising and just look at each other, but hardly anyone would ever pull over and talk. One night I was about out of gas, so I pulled over and got out and sat on the hood of my car with my guitar. Next thing I knew, there were girls everywhere. It was so funny, all the guys were still riding by looking and here I was, surrounded by all the girls.”

One evening while Gary was playing a song he had written, a man walked up to him inquiring as to whether he had other songs. After playing a few, Walter Bailes introduced himself.

The Bailes Brothers vocal group were a Nashville staple and second only to Roy Acuff at the Grand Ole Opry until they left to promote the Louisiana Hay Ride. Walter Bailes was also a hit songwriter having written many of Kitty Wells hits.

Walter took an interest and told Gary he might be able to do something with his music… With Walter’s help Gary got on “The Country Boy Eddie Show”, a syndicated television show. Tammy Wynette had gotten her start on this show. Walter also helped Gary get on Ernest Tubb’s “The Midnight Jamboree” a radio show out of Nashville airing on WSM FM. Gary also secured a guest spot on “The Grand Ole Opry Warm-up Show”.

“I heard somebody shout, Gary! I turned around and Garth Brooks was running over to me and he shook my hand and said, ’good luck with your music’ and that was when he was riding high on Friends in Low Places.”

Gary performed and held company with some of the biggest names in country including Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Porter Wagoner and Ronnie Milsap.

Gary recalls that Randy Travis and Garth Brooks were two of the most sincere people he’s met. One night after a show Garth and Gary were having a magazine photo session. When the session ended, Gary thanked everyone and turned to leave. Gary said, “I heard somebody shout, Gary! I turned around and Garth Brooks was running over to me and he shook my hand and said, ‘good luck with your music’ and that was when he was riding high on Friends in Low Places.”

Six days away from finalizing his deal with Warner Bros, Gary suffered a near fatal car crash. He remembers to this day, the sounds of the crash and fighting to free himself from the car before an explosion. Currently, Gary Lee Michael is in the studio finishing up a new album. His never-ending faith in God and his passion for music have brought Gary’s musical journey full circle. Gary’s now expressing his thoughts in song with an even deeper meaning and enjoying every minute…