The Vision Of Michael V. Doane

Many times in the past I've written about the personal reward I receive from publishing the Weekly Music Commentary. Over a period of just a few years I have met a number of good and great musicians. I follow quite a number of them and their career accomplishments closely. I have a short list of artists whom I featured before any album or EP release, and gain internal satisfaction as they create more music and grow to acquire wide acclaim. This week is special to me because I am featuring an entertainer for the second time. This week I chose to feature the multi-talented entertainer Michael V. Doane.

Several weeks ago, after the release of Michael’s EP Rock Family, I jokingly told him that I don’t know enough words to describe his music. In some ways, that is true. Over the past three years of listening to Michael V. Doane’s music, he seems to always surprise me. I never know what to expect. The only thing for sure is that it will be good. For those of you reading who may not be familiar with Michael V. Doane, I have the privilege of introducing you to one of the greater entertainers of our time. Read an excerpt from his bio:

MICHAEL V. DOANE IS A WRITER, SINGER, COMPOSER, PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR HAVING PERFORMED IN VARIOUS CONCERT VENUES, REGIONAL THEATRES, NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN TOURS, AND PRODUCTIONS ON AND OFF BROADWAY.  IN ADDITION HE HAS WRITTEN AND RECORDED ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR MANY ARTISTS INCLUDING BILLBOARD TOP-5 GIRL GROUP EXPOSE, GIOIA BRUNO, CHIC & KID ROCK’S JESSIE WAGNER, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE’ STAR BJ CROSBY, AWARD WINNING JAZZ RECORDING ARTIST ANDREW SUVALSKY, COUNTRY MUSIC’S DON JOLE AND EUROPEAN POP SENSATIONS QUENTIN ELIAS AND LARRY.  

MICHAEL CO-FOUNDED BULLET RECORDS, A GARAGE MUSIC INDIE LABEL, WORKING WITH DJ’S GUSTO AND CHOCO, AND PRODUCER’S LEM SPRINGSTEEN, LOUIE ‘BALO’ GUZMAN, RONNIE VENTURA AND THE UK’S FARLEY & HELLER.  BULLET RELEASED A DOZEN SUCCESSFUL SINGLES AND ENJOYED DISTRIBUTION WORLDWIDE. DURING THAT SAME TIME, MR. DOANE WAS THRILLED TO DO BACKGROUND VOCALS ON ACADEMY & GRAMMY AWARD WINNER IRENE CARA’S RE-RECORDING OF HER NUMBER 1 GLOBAL SMASH “FLASHDANCE (WHAT A FEELING).” 

FOR SEVERAL YEARS MICHAEL SERVED AS THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR THE FLATIRON THEATRE COMPANY (NYC) WHERE HE DIRECTED CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED REVIVALS OF ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY, THE SHADOW BOX, MEASURE FOR MEASURE, THE RUNNER STUMBLES, COME BACK TO THE FIVE & DIME JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN AND BENT. 

IN ADDITION, HE HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL ORIGINAL SCREENPLAYS INCLUDING THE 2008 PAGE AWARDS’ FINALIST WIDE AWAKE IN DREAMLAND, A ROMANTIC THRILLER, AND M, A CONTEMPORARY ADAPTATION OF EURIPIDES’ MEDEA, CO-PENNED BY FREQUENT COLLABORATOR ANN MARIE MILAZZO (SPRING AWAKENING/NEXT TO NORMAL/CARRIE/IF/THEN). 

OTHER RECENT WORK INCLUDES VOCALS AND VOICEOVERS FOR THE PARAMOUNT/VANTAGE BEN STILLER FILM THE MARC PEASE EXPERIENCE, COMPOSING THE ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR AVIGNON BOUND MEDIA’S GAME SHOW RED CARPET RUN, AND COMPOSING BOTH “I’LL TAKE YOU THERE” FOR THE BLAKE HOUSE MEDIA DOCUMENTARY FROM THE 50 YARD LINE AND “CLOSE TO ME”, A TOP-20 FINALIST FOR THE AMERICAN IDOL SONGWRITER’S COMPETITION (SELECTED FROM 30,000+ SUBMISSIONS).

In my previous feature of Michael V. Doane, I stated that I did not understand how he accomplished so much in a twenty-four hour day, and three hundred sixty-five day year. After years of examining the accomplishments of other artists/music industry leaders, I understand how, and even why he and others multi-task seemingly without interruption. Yes, I think I finally found a word to use in my description of Michael V. Doane; visionary. A person who is a visionary can be defined as one with original ideas about what the future will or could be like. Of course, looking at that definition you might be able to place the label on many musicians today. However, when I listen to the work of Michael V. Doane, I now realize why I find difficulty placing him under one musical description. He is always thinking ahead!

I will never forget that day when on twitter, Michael tweeted that he just released his video of a hot funky piece titled “We did it Right”. When I followed the link I must have viewed that video ten times. Then I decided to do something unprecedented at the time, I contacted Michael and told him I had to feature him in Weekly Music Commentary. I found he had also released a new concept album at the time Little Kid, and I had more than enough material for his feature.

Well, the creative process never ends for Michael V. Doane. Last month he released a four-song EP called Rock Family. The four new tracks explore the themes of love and family, how they can be discovered anywhere, and the profound emotions they elicit. In modern music we hear these themes presented all the time, but Michael has a unique method of presenting common themes in a package everyone can contemplate fully. Love and family are truly universal, and he makes sure his audience recognizes that point.

I always encourage my readers to listen to new music, and artists of whom they may be unfamiliar. Without a doubt, Rock Family is an EP for everyone. As always, Michael surrounds himself with great musicians who share his vision, and understand the goal of his music. Then they just go out and play. The result will always be very eclectic, genre bending, but an exceptional sounding musical presentation.

Michael V. Doane is certainly not a newcomer to the entertainment industry. Nevertheless, he is always gracious and appreciative of my feedback, even thanking me in advance of what I will say. I am happy he allows me to feature him and his music. We all get a close look at a true multi-talented entertainer. Yes, I dare to say – a visionary.