Career History
Complete Career History of Michael Peterson
Overview
2 songs in movie soundtracks
4 music publishing deals
7 number one songs on charts around the world
8 record deals
8 books as a contributing author, co-author or author
15 times songs hit #1 on charts around the world
22 countries as a performer/inspirational speaker
25 studio or live albums
32 video projects
37 recorded by other artists
48 states as a performer/inspirational speaker
106 music projects as a performer, songwriter or producer
236 Studio Recordings (not including demo’s)
283 Commercially released recordings as a performer, songwriter or producer (includes recordings released multiple times)
2000 plus - School assemblies
3000 plus - Performances & speaking engagements
1,250,000 plus - Albums sold as a solo artist
26,500,000 plus - Radio Airplays/Streams
Detailed Chronologies
Record Deals
Chalace Records - 1984
Sparrow Records - 1986 – 1988
More Music – 1990 – 1994
City Alive Records - 1998
Warner/Reprise - 1997 – 2000
Sony/Monument - 2000 – 2003
AGR/Universal - 2004 – 2006
37 Records – 2017-2019
Music Publishing Deals
Gateway Music House/Westwind Pub;ishing – 1986-1988
Warner/Tamerlane– 1996-2002
Dimensional Music Publishing – 2006-2007
S1 America Music Publishing – 2007-2009
Stage Productions
Raiding The Country Vault - Musical Director 2016 & 2017.
National Veterans Creative Arts Festival (NVCAF) - Master Of Ceremonies 2011 - Present
Music Awards, Nominations and Wins
Top New Airplay Artist/Billboard Magazine - 1997
Top Selling New Male Artist/Billboard Magazine - 1997 - 1998
Top New Artist/Radio & Records Magazine - 1997
TNN/Music City News Male Star Of Tomorrow - 1999
Gavin’s Artist To Watch - 1998
CMA Horizon Award Finalist - 1997
ACM Best new Male Finalist - 1998
Country Weekly Magazine’s Golden Pick Award for Top New Male Artist - 1998
Country Radio Music Awards Song of The Year finalist for “Drink Swear Steal & Lie” - 1998
Country Radio Music Awards Best New Artist Finalist 1998
CMT #3 Most Played Video of the Year - “From Here To Eternity” - 1998
CMA - Gold Record Status - 1998
BMI One Million Airplay Award - “Drink Swear Steal & Lie” - 1999
BMI One Million Airplay Award - “From Here To Eternity” - 1999
Branson Show Awards Entertainers Of The Year “Raiding The Country Vault” 2017
BMI Two Million Airplay Award - “Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
California Music Hall of Fame induction - 2024
Complete Discography (as Artist, Songwriter or Producer)
1975 – “The Way We Were” RHS Jazz Choir & Solo - Indie
“April In Paris”
1976 – “Feelings” RHS Jazz Choir & Solo - Indie
“Feelings”
1977 – “Coudburst” RHS Jazz Choir & solo - Indie
“Cloudburst”
1985 – ”To Bless your Heart”– album for Chalace Records
“You Reveal Your Love”
“We Worship You”
1984 – “Never Go Away” – First Solo album - Indie
“Never Go Away”
“Autumn Falls”
“Nail Without A Carpenter”
“Change Your Mind”
“I Give My Best To You”
“Change Your Mind”
“Speak Softly”
1986 - “Michael Peterson” - Album for Sparrow Records
“Draw Me Near”
“Nail Without A Carpenter”
“Beyond The Very Best”
“Autumn Falls”
“Give It Up”
“Faith Is”
“I Give My Best To You”
“Never Go Away”
“Speak Softly”
1986 – “Sounds Of Sunmer Vol II” - Collection on Sparrow Records
“Give It Up”
1988 – “So Glad I Know” - Album by Deniece Williams on CBS records
“If We Are The Light”
1989 –”Hot On The Trail” – LP by Deniece Williams
“We’re Together”
“He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”
1991 – “Inside Out” – Contemporary Worship album
“Inside Out”
“Lift Up The Name Of Jesus”
“High Tower”
“He Is The Christ”
“As We Lift Up His Holy Name”
“I Will Call On The Lord”
1991 – “Michael Peterson - Sampler” – Indie CCM album
“I’ve Got To Believe”
“New Creation”
“Never Take A Chance”
“I’ll Be Waitin For Ya”
“Taking Your Love For Granted”
“I’ll Take My Chances”
“The Price”
“I Believe In You”
“River Don’t Run”
“Your Memory Lives In Me”
“Just A Shame”
1991 – “Worship & U” ON More Music records
“Lift Up The Name Of Jesus”
1992 – “Stir It Up” by The Classic Imperials on Star Song records
“Taking Your Love For Granted”
1993 – “Eastside Music Spotlight” Indie CCM album on More Music records
“Yesterday”
“Small Things With Great Love”
.1993 – “Live From Chicago” Solo album City Alive Records
“Oh Yeah”
“Inside Out”
“Taking Your Love For Granted”
“Still Standing”
“Act Of God”
“River Don’t Run”
“The Little We’ve Got”
“Small Things With Great Love”
“Still Carrying Me”
“Leave The Rest Up To Me”
“Like Nobody Else”
“Taking Your Love For Granted”
1994 – “Bendt Knee Project: Songs From The Sheepfold” Worship album produced by Roby Duke
“Mercy And Grace”
“Have Mercy On Me”
“I’ve Made Up My Mind”
“He Is The Christ”
1995 - “Color The World With Us” for Southern Baptist Convention
“Like Nobody Else”
“Against The Flow”
“Tenderness”
“Like Nobody Else”
1997 – “Michael Peterson” Warner-Reprise Country debut
“Lost In The Shuffle”
“Love’s Great”
“When The Bartender Cries”
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
“I Finally Passed The Bar”
“From Here To Eternity”
“That’s What They Said About The Buffalo”
“Too Good To Be True”
“Since I Thought I Knew It All”
“By The Book”
“For A Song”
1997 - “Mistakes” - By Robert Ellis Orrall
“The Burden Of Proof”
1998 – “Jenny Simpson” on Mercury Records
“I Wanna Grow Young With You” – Duet with Jenny Simpson
1998 – “No More Looking Over My Shoulder” Travis Tritt album
“No More looking Over My Shoulder”
1998 - “Wedding Day Music” Warner-Special Products LP
“From Here To Eternity”
1998 – “Country Fun” Warner-Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
1998 - “Outlaw Justice” Movie Soundtrack Closing Credits
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder”
1999 - “My Heart Is Bethlehem” by John Berry
“My Heart Is Bethlehem”
1999 – “Calvary Worship Alive VOL 1” by The Calvary Church Singers
“Have Mercy On Me”
1999 – “NFL Goes Country” album of duets with NFL Players
“All It Takes Is All You’ve Got”
1999 – “Being Human” Warner-Reprise second album
“Laughing All The Way To The Bank”
“You Find Love When You Make It”
“I Owe It All To You”
“Somethin ‘Bout A Sunday”
“Let Me Love You One More Time”
“Sure Feels Real Good”
“Being Human”
“Stomp”
“Two Of The Lucky Ones”
“Slow Dance”
“Before Another Day Goes By”
“Nothing’s Gonna Change What’s In My Heart” – UNRELEASED
“Living La Vida Loca” – UNRELEASED
“It’s Simple – UNRELEASED
“Downtime” – UNRELEASED
2000 – “Super Hits” – Michael Peterson Greatest Hits LP
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
“From Here To Eternity”
“Something ‘Bout A Sunday”
“I Owe It All To You”
“Too Good To Be True”
“Laughing All The Way To The Bank”
“I Finally Passed The Bar”
2000 – “Country Love Songs VOL IV– Warner-Special Projects
“From Here To Eternity”
2000 – “Favorite Country Duets VOL II” - WMG
“Two Of The Lucky Ones”
2001 – “One Heart” by J.D. Martin
“I Shall Not Be Moved”
2001 – “Modern Man” Originally a SONY Nashville debut – Released eventually by AGR/Universal in Europe only
“ No More Looking Over My Shoulder”
“Travelers Prayer”
“Modern Man”
“If My Memory Serves Me Well”
“Rome Burns”
“Nothing Compares To Living You”
“Right About Now”
“Play”
“Let Your Imagination Run Away With Me”
“What Makes A Man”
“Lesson In Goodbye”
“About Caroline”
“A Good Thing When It’s Gone”
2001 – “Tobacco & Chanel” – Debut album by Bacilos
“Mas Alla”
2001 – “New Shadow” by Austrailian Star Felicity Urguhart CD
“Less Of Me More Often”
2001 - “Feed The Fire” – Album by Timothy B. Shmit
“Top Of The Stairs”
2005 – “Down On The Farm” Album for New Holland
“What Should I Do With My Life?”
“Down On The Farm”
“The Warriors Anthem”
“News”
“The Perfect Weekend”
“When You Look Like That”
“I Cut Myself Off At The Past”
“I Hope They’re Wrong”
“Sometimes Love”
“From The Grave To The Cradle - Live”
“King Of The Beach” – UNRELEASED
2006 – “Rhino HiFive - Chart Hits Country” Collection
“From Here To Eternity”
2006 - “Rhino HiFive - Chart Hits Kickin Country” Collection
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie
2006 – ““Rhino HiFive Drinking Songs” Collection
“When The Bartender Cries”
2006 – “A Country Music Christmas” Produced by Buddy Killen for book of the same name by Edie Hand.
“Silent Night”
2008 – “Grave To The Cradle -
“We Found Love”
“I Wouldn’t Do Nothing Else”
“Good Day For Leaving”
“What’ll You Have?”
“Your Watch And Your Opinion”
“If You Want Me”
“I Can’t Fight Loving You”
“She Can’t Remember And He Can’t Forget”
“Between Going And Being Gone”
“From The Grave To The Cradle”
“Happy Father’s Day Mama”
2007 – “It’s Who We Are” American Legion EP
“It’s Who We Are”
2007 – “Right About Now” by Ty Herndon
“Right About Now”
2008 – “In Black”
“Marriage Is The Leading Cause Of Divorce”
“If You’re Willing”
“I Remember America”
“To Satisfy Me”
“Alcohol Abuse”
“From The Word Go”
“Girl Of Summer”
“Only Time Will Tell”
“The Price Of Admission”
“In Black”
“Stones”
2008 – “Standing Strong” by The Classic Imperials
“God Is Not Our Enemy”
“Mercy And Grace”
2008 – “Share: Songs of Hope, Awareness & Recovery for Everyone” collection
“When The Bartender Cries”
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder”
2008 – “Never Forget: 9/11 Tribute” collection
“The Little Things”
2009 – “Strength Of The Nation” w/US Army Field Band
“I’m A Soldier” (Warrior Ethos)
“The Warriors Anthem (I Am An American)
2009 – “Baby, I’ Sticking With You” (European release only)
“Baby, I’m Sticking With You”
“Tell Me What You Got I Mind”
“Good Day For Leaving”
“Better Than Me For You”
“Why Didn’t You Think Of This Before?”
“Support The Wildlife, Throw A Party”
“The Little We’ve Got”
“I Hope You Know What You’re Doing”
“The Perfect Weekend”
“Freight Train”
2009 – “You Could Hear A Pin Drop” American Legion project
“You Could Hear A Pin Drop”
“I Remember America”
“The Warriors Anthem”
“I’m A Soldier”
“The Road Les Traveled”
“It’s Who We Are”
“Little Things”
“Let Them In Peter”
2009 – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” American Legion project
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
2010 – “One Day From Someday” (Unreleased)
“Anniversary Of A Broken Heart”
“Before The Sun Goes Down On Us Tonight”
“Depending How You’re Looking At It”
“Hollywood Road”
“Just A Moment Ago”
“One Day From Someday”
“She’s So Beautiful”
“Something Here For Everyone”
“Top Of The World”
“With Any Luck”
2010 – “Still Standing” by The Classic Imperials (Co-produced)
“Live My Life”
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder”
“Brighter Day”
“Heaven”
“Been Through The Water”
“God’s Got Something Good”
“Ebenezer”
“If There’s No God”
“If I Was Jesus”
“Love Speaks For Itself”
“Something’s Wrong With The World”
"Still Standing" – UNRELEASED
2010 – “I Remember America” American Legion project
“I Remember America”
2011 – “Baby, I’m Sticking With You” (U.S. release only - new packaging/mastering)
“Baby, I’m Sticking With You”
“Tell Me What You Got I Mind”
“Good Day For Leaving”
“Better Than Me For You”
“Why Didn’t You Think Of This Before?”
“Support The Wildlife, Throw A Party”
“The Little We’ve Got”
“NEWS”
“I Hope You Know What You’re Doing”
“The Perfect Weekend”
“Freight Train”
2011 – “Deep In The Heart” Movie Sountrack
“Down On The Farm”
2011 – “An American Life” (Unreleased)
“This Old Army Hat”
“Ford Fairlane”
“I’d Love To Feel That Way Again”
“What Love Left Behind”
“King Of The Beach”
“Bring Em All Back”
“When It Comes To Loving You”
“I Miss That Girl”
“Even If It Kills Me”
“She Can’t Remember What He Can’t Forget”
2012 – “We Are Veterans”
“Wave On, Old Glory Wave On”
“Old Army Hat”
“Guys Like You And Me”
“Underdog”
“I Remember America”
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
“It’s Who We Are”
“You Could Hear A Pin Drop”
“Dear God”
“The Man They Sent Back Home”
“The Shield”
“Let Them In Peter”
“We Are Veterans”
2013 – “The Country Jukebox Collection” by Time-Life
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2014 – “Change” by Clint Brown
“Oh Yeah”
2014 – “Western Concert Series W/21st Century Orchestra
“Gun Fight At OK Corral”
“Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling”
“Rawhide”
2015 – “More Hope In The Garden” – Produced for the Alzheimer’s Organization for Abe’s Garden
“She Can’t Remember And He Can’t Forget”
2015 – “ I Still Get Dressed On Sundays” by Gene Pistilli
“It’s Simple”
“Less Of Me More Often”
2016 – “Christmas” by John Berry
“My Heart Is Bethlehem”
2016 – “Somewhere In Texas” by Bryan Fontenot
“The Perfect Weekend”
2017 – “Drink Swear Steal & Lie”– 20th Anniversary CD
“Looking For Love”
“Wichita Lineman”
“Most Beautiful Girl In The World”
“Boy Named Sue”
“Friends In Low Places”
“When The Bartender Cries”
“Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
“From Here To Eternity”
“Too Good To Be True”
“Borderline”
“I’m My Own Grandpa” (Live)
2017 - “90’s Country” Warner Special Products
“Too Good To Be True”
2017 “Country Morning Wake Up” Warner Special Products
“Something Bout A Sunday”
2017 - “Young Country” Warner Special Products
“Sure Feels Real Good”
2017 - “Feel Good Country” Warner Special Products
“I Owe It All To You”
2017 - “Dance Hall Favorites” Warner Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2017 - “Country Chill Out” Warner Special Products
“From Here To Eternity”
2017 - “Sexy Country” Warner Special Products
“Too Good To Be True”
2017 - “Summer Country” Warner Special Products
“Sure Feels Real Good”
2017 - “Country Style” Warner Special Products Collection
“Sure Feels Real Good”
2018 - “Barbecue Summer” Warner Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2018 - “Ultimate Country Music Party” Warner Special Products
“Stomp”
2018 - “American Country Cuts” Warner Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2018 - “90’s Country Mix” Warner Special Products
“Two Of The Lucky Ones”
2018 - “Country Party Songs” X5 Music Group
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2018 - “Tailgate Country” Warner Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2018 - “Complete Country” Warner Special Products
“From Here To Eternity”
2018 - “State Of The Art Country” Warner Special Products
“Sure Feels Real Good”
2018 - “Kick Ass Country” Warner Special Products
“Stomp”
2018 - “Country Love Songs” Warner Special Products
“Let Me Love You One More Time”
2018 - “Lone Rangers” Warner Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2019 - “Blue Collar man” Travis Tritt: The Complete Albums 1990 - 1998”
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder”
2019 - “America At The Crossroads” Indie Single
2019 - “Warrior” by Soleil Moon
“72 Camaro”
“Here For You”
“420”
2020 - “Backyard Barbecue Anthems” Warner Special Products
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2020 - “Comfortable Shoes” by Jamie Hosmer
“Fade Away”
2020 - “Summertime Country” Warner Special Products
“Sure Feels Real Good”
2020 - “I Love Country” Warner Music Group
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2020 - “90’s Country VOL II” Warner Music Group
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2020 - “KIck Ass Country VOL II” Warner Music Group
“Stomp”
2020 - “Life’s A Dance: Summer Country” Warner Music Group
“Sure Feels Real Good”
2020 – “Country & Western Anthems” Warner Music Group
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2021 – “90’s Country Throwback” Warner Music Group
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
2021 – “Colt” by Colt Prather (UNRELEASED)
“In Black”
2023 - “MPact” Vocal Jazz Group (UNRELEASED)
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder”
“You’re Memory Lives In Me”
2023 - Jordan Asher Huffman
“Out Loud” (Produced by the legendary producer Alan Parsons)
2023 - Duet on iTUNES with 5 time Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year Frankie Moreno
Merry Christmas From a Million Miles Away”
2024 - Rob Mayes
“By The Book
ARTIST/PRODUCER - Music Videography
1988 – “The Searcher” for More Music
1988 – “Give It Up” for Sparrow Records
1989 – “Known By My Scars” for 100 Huntley Street
1990 – “The Searcher” – For Eastside Music Group
1990 – “Act Of God” – for 100 Huntley Street
1993 – “Live From Chicago” – City Alive Records
1997 – “Drink Swear Steal & Lie – Warner-Reprise
1997 – “From Here To Eternity” – Warner-Reprise
1998 – “Too Good To Be True”- Warner-Reprise
1998 – “When The Bartender Cries” – Warner-Reprise
1999 – “Country Fun” Warner Special Projects
1999 – “Drink Swear Steal & Lie” – Walker Texas Ranger TV show
1999 – “By The Book” Walker Texas Ranger TV show
2005 – “The Warriors Anthem” – Special project for the US Army.
2005 – “I’m A Soldier” – Special project for the US Army.
2006 – “I Remember America” – American Legacy Scholarship fund.
2006 – “True Blue” Commercial for New Holland Agriculture
2006 - Tractor Safety PSA for the Childhood Tractor Safety Network
2007 – ”It’s Who We Are” Theme song for the American Legion
2009 – “Faith In You” – American Legion.
2010 – “You Could Hear A Pin Drop” – American Legacy Scholarship
2011 – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”- Am Legacy Scholarship
2011 – “This Old Army Hat” – EBV Special Project
2018 – "Lookin For Love" - Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2018 – "Drink Swear Steal & Lie" -Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2018 – “When The Bartender Cries” - Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2018 – “Wichita Lineman - Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2018 – “From Here To Eternity” - Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2018 – “Boy Named Sue” - Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2018 – “Mama’s Don’t Let your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
2018 – “Too Good To Be True” – Drink Swear Steal & Lie CD
2020 – “America At The Crossroads” – Indie release
#1 Fifteen Times on Music Charts Around the World
“Taking Your Love For Granted” - The Imperials 1993 CCM Chart
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie” - #1 on CMT in 1997
“From Here To Eternity” - #1 on Billboard
“From Here To Eternity” - #1 CMT
“From Here To Eternity” - #1 GAVIN
“From Here To Eternity” - #1 R & R
“Too Good To Be True” - #1 on CMT
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder” - #1 Hot Disc (European Country Top 40 chart)
“No More Looking Over My Shoulder” - #1 / German Country Top 40 chart
“Looking For Love” - #1 on Hot Disc (European Country Top 40 chart)
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie” - New Version - #1 on HotDisc (European Country Top 40 chart)
“Wichita Lineman” - #1 on HotDisc (European Country Top 40 chart)
“Too Good To Be True” - New Version - #1 on HotDIsc (European Country Top 40 chart)
“From Here To Eternity” New Version - #1 on HitDisc (European Country Top 40 chart)
“Drink Swear Steal & Lie - #1 on Swiss Country Music Top 40 chart
36 Songs Recorded By Other Artists
Deniece Williams
He Loves Me He Loves Me Not
We're Together
If We Are The Light
The Classic Imperials
Still Standing
Takin Your Love For Granted
Love Speaks For Itself
No More Looking Over My Shoulder
God Is Not Our Enemy
Mercy and Grace
Julie Miller
Against The Flow
Troy & Genie Nillson
Like Nobody Else
Tenderness
John Berry
My Heart Is Bethlehem
Travis Tritt
No More Looking Over My Shoulder
The Backwards Song (From the HBO TV series “Arliss”)
Tennessee Walt's - (UNRELEASED)
Timothy B Schmit (of The Eagles)
Top Of The Stairs
Calvary Church Singers
Have Mercy On Me
Ty Herndon
Right About Now
Bacilos
Mas Allas
The Michael Thompson Band
72 Camaro
Soliel Moon
72 Camaro
I Will Be There For You
420
JD Martin
I Shall Not Be Moved
MPact
(Vocal Jazz Group – UNRELEASED)
No More Looking Over My Shouider
Your Memory Lives In Me
Gene Pistilli
Less Of Me More Often
It’s Simple
Felicity Urquhart
Less Of Me More Often
Robert Ellis Orrall
Burden Of Proof
Bryan Fontenot
The Perfect Weekend
Colt Prather
(Unreleased)
In Black
Clint Brown
Oh Yeah
Frankie Moreno
Merry Christmas From a Million Miles Away
Jordan Asher Huffman
Out Loud
Rob Mayes
By the Book
NOTABLE TOURS & MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Royal Albert Hall - in London with the 21st Century Orchestra
CMA Awards - Horizon Award nominee
ACM Awards - Best New Male Artist
TNN/Music City News Awards – Best New Artist
NHRA Award - Co-Host of the annual Awards show on ESPN
Walker Texas Ranger - Guest Star on an episode of Walker Texas Ranger with Chuck Norris
USO/Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Holiday Tour of the Middle East (11 Countries in 7 Days)
CMA Awards - Brenda Lee Hall of Fame Induction "Break It To Me Gently"
A Salute To The Stars – Hall Of Fame Induction of Brenda Lee
National Anthem - for NFL: Seattle Seahawks
National Anthem - Tennessee Governor Sundquists Imauguaration
National Anthem NBA - Seattle Supersonics
National Anthem NASCAR - Watkins Glen
National Anthem - Army/Navy game on CBS TV live in 140 countries, Tennessee Governor Sundquist’s Inauguration
FFA National Convention - Keynote Speaker for 20,000 students
22 Countries/Territories Playing Music & Speaking
America - 48 of the 50 States
Canada – 30 + times
Japan
·Korea - Twice
Russia
England – Three times
France – 6 times
Italy – 6 times
Poland
Spain - Twice
Austria - Twice
Switzerland – 5 times
Africa - Djibouti
Iraq – 9 times
Kuwait – 9 times
Qatar
Bharain
U.A.E.
Afghanistan - Twice
Republic Of Georgia - Twice
Germany – 7 times
Puerto Rico
Worked/Share Stages With:
Dixie Chicks – Multiple TV shows and 30+tour dates together, Label mates @ SONY, Fan Fair
The Classic Imperials – Co-Produced album, wrote 6 songs they have recorded
Phillip Bailey-Earth Wind & Fire – Sang after him at Deniece Williams Wedding
Trace Adkins – Friend, Multiple shows, Clint Black Tour, TV Shows, both Warner Writers, Fan Fair
Clay Walker – 30+ tour dates, Fan Fair
Clint Black – 30+ tour dates, Fan Fair
Timothy B Schmit – Spent a week at writers retreat, co-wrote TOP OF THE STAIRS for his album
Jo Dee Messina – Multiple tour dates & TV shows, Fan Fair
Garth Brooks – Both appeared on 97 & 98 CMA & ACM awards shows
Steve Wariner – two TV shows together
Alabama – ST Jude appearances, CMA 30th anniversary show
Brooks & Dunn – Multiple festivals, radio station events, CMA & ACM shows, Fan Fair
Deana Carter – CMA & ACM shows, A couple shows together, Fan Fair
Diamond Rio – Multiple festivals, CMA & ACM awards, a few benefits, Fan Fair
Faith Hill – Label mates, multiple festivals, CMA & ACM awards, Fan Fair
Michael McDonald – Sang on my BEING HUMAN album, Writers in the round
Merle Haggard – Opening act for him several times
Don Williams – Opening act for him several times
Mel Tillis – Appeared together on the George Jones TV show
George Jones – Appeared on his TV show
Amy Grant – Played a benefit together
Deniece Williams – Friend, Co-wrote 3 songs together that she also recorded including “IF WE ARE THE LIGHT” on the multiple Grammy award winning album “So Glad I Know”, signed me to my first record and publishing deal. Sang on my debut album, sang BGV’s for her U.K. concert trip in Northampton.
Glen Campbell – CMA 30th anniversary show together
Willie Nelson – played several shows with him, Co-hosted a segment of FARM Aid Patty Loveless – CMA & ACM Awards, Salute To The Stars TV show, Fan Fair
Reba McIntyre – CMA & ACM Awards, CMA 30th anniversary show, Fan Fair
Tim McGraw, Prime Time Country, numerous festivals & shows, CMA & ACM Awards
Martina McBride - Prime Time Country, numerous festivals & shows, CMA & ACM Awards Fair
Collin Raye Prime Time Country, numerous festivals & shows, Ryman Benefit for Abused Children, CMA & ACM Awards, Fan Fair
LeAnn Rimes – Fan Fair, numerous festivals & shows, GSTAAD Switzerland, CMA Awards, Fan Fair
Bobby Bare – One show together – Festival in Arizona
Keith Urban - Opened for me on a few shows when he was in THE RANCH, CMA’s, opened for him in the Tri Cities
Darrell Worley – Numerous festivals, U.S. Army HS All-American Bowl
Daryl Dodd – Friend, a few festivals
Darryl Singletary - Friends from the early Nashville days hanging at the Randy Travis Gift shop, Label mates @ WMG, several shows and benefits, Fan Fair
Connie Stevens – Friend, several fundraisers in Jackson Hole Wyoming
Stephen Bishop – Connie Stevens fundraiser in Jackson Hole Wyoming
Don Felder - Connie Stevens fundraiser in Jackson Hole Wyoming
Norbert Putnam – Friend, Produced my Dan Fogelberg tribute song “His Way With Words”
Sawyer Brown - Prime Time Country, numerous festivals & shows, CMA & ACM Awards, Fan Fair
George Strait – CMA Awards
Marty Stuart - numerous festivals & shows, The Bluebird w/Brazillian group, Fan Fair
Travis Tritt – Has recorded three of my songs, sang a duet with me on my first album, sang a second duet with me on CMT concert special
Connie Smith – Played major Japanese festival together
Bryan White – Multiple shows together, Fan Fair
Trisha Yearwood – CMA & ACM Awards shows
LeAnn Womack – CMA & ACM Awards shows, multiple fesitvals, Fan Fair
Rhett Akins – ACM awards, multiple festivals, Fan Fair
Big House – TNN Music City News Awards, festival
Kenny Chesney – CMA & ACM awards, a few festivals CMA Music Festival Stadium show, Fan Fair
Sara Evans – Sang demos on same sessions, some festivals and fundraisers, Fan Fair
The Kinleys – Friends, several tour dates with Clint Black, TNN-MUSIC CITY NEWS Awards, Fan Fair
Montgomery–Gentry – Label mates at SONY, TNN-MUSIC CITY NEWS Awards,
Toby Keith – Played some radio events together, CMA & ACM Awards , Fan Fair
Gary Allen – A few festivals
The Lynns – Label mates, a few charity events, CRS show
Lila McCann – Walker-Texas Ranger, several festivals, Puyallup Fair
Porter Wagoner – Backstage With Porter Wagoner (segment prior to my Opry debut)
Charlie Pride – Introduced me at my Opry debut
Lari White – A few festivals, in town events
Lonestar – Several fairs and festivals, TNN Music City News Awards, Fan Fair
Dwight Yoakam – Label mates, numerous festivals
Vince Gill – CMA Awards
Brad Paisley - CMA, ACM & TNN/Music City News awards, a few festivals, Fan Fair
Brenda Lee – Sang solos for her Country Music Hall Of Fame induction on the CMA Awards and A Night Of Country Greats TV show
Taylor Swift - I was one of three other artists in the round with Taylor at the Bluebird the night Scott Borschetta “discovered” her.
Mindy McReady – CMA Awards, TNN/Music City News Awards, Fan Fair, A few benefits around Nashville
Sting – CMA Awards
SEAL – Both played the same show for the WEA convention at Caesars Hotel in Las Vegas
Eddy Arnold – A Night Of Country Greats TV Show
Cheap Trick - Played a show together
REO Speedwagon – Played a festival together
The Oak Ridge Boys – Played a few festivals together
Lorrie Morgan – Sang in a trio together for Brenda Lee Hall Of Fame Induction on the CMA Awards, several festivals and shows together, Fan Fair
Whisperin Bill Anderson - Friend, Wrote together, The Opry, Played and acoustic show together, Recorded his “Old Army Hat” song
Mac McaNally – Played an acoustic show together, interviewed him to produce my SONY album
Susan Lucci – Worked together for the U.S. Army Ball
Jeff Foxworthy – TNN/Music City News Awards, Label Mate
Bill Engvall – Label mate, a few festivals together
Tanya Tucker – Friend, played some shows together
Alan Jackson – CMA & ACM Awards, Fan Fair
The Wilkinsons – TNN/Music City News/A few festivals
Mark Wills – CMA & ACM Awards, Several festivals, Bianchi Cup
Kenny Rogers – 30th Anniversary of the CMA’s TV show
Linda Davis - Fan Fair
Billy Dean – CMA & ACM Awards, Fan Fair, TNN/Music City News, Branson
Pam Tillis – The George Jones TV Show, Fan Fair, CMA Awards, Some festivals
George Strait – CMA Awards
John Michael Montgomery – CMA Awards, Several shows, , Fan Fair
Ty Herndon - Friend, several shows together, recorded my song “Right About Now”
Joe Diffie – Fan Fair, several shows, his benefit for his son
Terry Bradshaw – TNN/Music City News Awards
Sammy Kershaw – Several shows together
Charlie Daniels – TNN/Music City News Awards, CMA 30th Anniversary TV special Leon Russell – Show with Willie Nelson in Evansville Indiana
Russell Smith & The Amazing Rythm Aces – Played one show Evansville IN.
Stevie Nicks – Played a WEA convention at Alcatraz
Chris Isaak - Played a WEA convention at Alcatraz
The Olson Twins - Played a WEA convention at Alcatraz
K.T. Oslin – Co-hosted FARM AID
Jason Scheff, Chicago – Friend, Sang on “You Could Hear A Pin Drop”
Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles – Wrote together @ The Castle in France, recorded song ww wrote together “Top Of The Stairs”
Don Felder of The Eagles – Played 2 shows together at Connie Stevens Jackson Hole Annual benefit
Jonathan Cain. Journey – Played Bluebird show together
Peter Yarrow – Peter, Paul & Mary – Shared a show during Tin Pan South
Teena Arena – Hung out together at Desmond Childs Writers Retreat in South Beach
Chuck Norris – Guest starred on Walker Texas Ranger
Bob Montgomery – Friend, Co-Produced the unreleased “An American Life” LP, co-wrote a new version of “She Can’t Remember What He Can’t Forget
Kris Kristofferson - 30th Anniversary of the CMA’s TV Show
Little Jimmie Dickens – Grand Old Opry
Highway 101 – Several shows on the road and in town
Big & Rich – Friends with both, played a few shows with each prior to Big & Rich, went to a number of early Music Mafia events
Wade Hayes – Friend, several festivals together, several shows together, Fan Fair Aaron Tippin - Fan Fair, Military Tours in Iraq, Several shows together
Hal Ketchum – Prime Time Country, Several shows
Reba McIntyre – CMA & ACM Awards, Stopped me in an alley to congratulate me
Wynona Judd – Friend, several shows, Celebrity Softball game
Paul Williams – Wrote together
Danny O’Keefe Friend
Mark Chesnutt – Fan Fair, several festivals together
Vice President Dick Cheney – Political Rally for George Bush in Portland Maine
Secretary Of Defense Donald Rumsfeld – Invited me to his office for a private meeting the Friday before he resigned as SecDef.
President George Bush Sr – Shared the Green room together at Major League Baseball game in Chattanooga TN
President George W. Bush – Connected the team at WORLD AG EXPO to hire him for a fundraiser I helped put together
U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona – Worked with him to develop Comprehensive Soldier Fitness for the US Army
U.S. Army 4 STAR General Ann E Dunwoody U.S. – Worked with her for V-WISE “FIRSTS” ceremony
U.S. ARMY Chief Of Staff General Casey – Worked with him to develop Comprehensive Soldier Fitness for the US Army
Dr Martin Seligiman, The Founder Of Positive Psychology - Worked with him to develop Comprehensive Soldier Fitness for the US Army
General Peter Pace, Chairman Of The joint Chiefs – Friend, 11 day tour to the Middle East with the USO
Dr Daniel Amen – Friend, my Brain Health Doctor, partner in schools initiative
Lynn Anderson – Did a duet together of “Rose Garden” during Fan Fair
Mac McAnally - Discussed him producing my SONY album
Sawyer Brown – Prime Time Country, many festivals together
The Kentucky Headhunters - Prime Time Country, many festivals together
Deborah Allen – Friend, co wrote “Christmas Under The Covers”
The Bellamy Brothers – Several festivals together
Reverend Franklin Graham – Co-Hosted 100 Huntley Street TV show across Canada
Marty Raybon – Several Festivals and shows
Shenandoah - Several Festivals and shows
Cesar Augusto – With over 200 million records sold as a producer and writer, Cesar is the most successful Producer/Writer in the History of Brazil. During the Covid Pandemic, we developed a recording project to introduce me to the Brazilian Country music fans.
Restless Heart - Several Festivals and shows, co-wrote “A Certain Ernest Hemingway” together with Larry Stewart
Richie Sambora – Guitar player for Bon Jovi – Hung at writers retreat in Miami on South Beach
Bad Company – Hung out with them for a week when Josh Leo was producing them Enrique Iglesias - Hung at writers retreat in Miami on South Beach
Josh Leo – Close friend, co-produced my first two albums for Reprise, co-wrote many songs together, co-produced “I’M A SOLDIER” & “THE WARRIORS ANTHEM”
Robert Ellis Orrall - Close friend, co-produced my first two albums for Reprise, co-wrote many songs together, co produced “FROM THE GRAVE TO THE CRADLE”
Howard Leese, Founding member of Heart – Hung out with him as we both worked for Harry Cowel
Del McCoury – Hung out his home for a picking party, Son Robbie played on Reprise “BEING HUMAN” album
The Nelsons – Label mates at Reprise, a few shows
Ricky Skaggs – Pickin Party at the McCoury’s home, a few festivals
Steve Earle- Pickin Party at the McCoury’s home
Jeffrey Steele – Label mate at SONY, hung out at several events, shared acoustic shows
Big Al Anderson – Co-wrote “COME AND GET IT”
Craig Wiseman – Co wrote many songs together
John Berry – Wrote together at Castle in France, recorded “MY HEART IS BETHELEHEM”, several shows together
Rascal Flatts – Hung together at Fiddle & Steel before they were Rascal Flatts
Buck Owens – Friend, Played the Crystal Palace several times, picked me up in his limo on the way to the ACM awards
John Bettis – Friend, Co-wrote may songs together
Dinah Washington - Played show together at Connie Stevens Jackson Hole Annual benefit
Mark Sanborn – Friend, met through Jill
John Anderson – Several festivals together
Leeland Sklar – Played on ’72 Camaro
Michael Thompson - Played on ’72 Camaro Brent Mason – Played on almost all my Nashville sessions
Jim Horn – Arranged and played horns on Modern Man
Kyle Lehning – Produced Modern Man album
Randy Travis – Credits me with finding “THREE WOODEN CROSSES”
Hugh Prestwood – Recorded his “OKLAHOMA STRAY”
Doby Gray – Worked together at fund raiser for Animal Shelter
The Commodores – Worked together at EBONY Awards show
Dick Clark – ACM Awards
Duane Eddy - Met through Promotions guy???
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin – Hung out with him a little at Connie Stevens Fundraiser in Jackson Hole
Gene Pistilli – Close friend, Co-writer, brother
Mandy Barnett – Sang demos on same sessions before we had hits
Blackhawk – 10 shows together in Canada
Little Texas - 10 shows together in Canada
T Graham Brown - Many shows together
Cesar Lemos - Friend, co-writer, Produced all my Sertanejo recordings
Miles Copeland – Wrote at his Castle in France for a 10 day retreat – co publisher on several of my tunes
Vin Diesel - Hung out with him several nights at Connie Stevens Fundraiser in Jackson Hole
Jay Demarcus – Bass player and founding member of Rascal Flatts - I spoke at Super Summer Youth Evangelism camp whre his band was doing the music. Then we met again in Nashville at The Fiddle & Steel before Rascal Flatts exploded and then several times around Nashville after we both had hits.
Michael Johnson – Singer of such hits as Bluer Than Blue. One of my favorites of all time. Worked several shows with him on the tour for the Mental Health & Music project.
Clint Holmes – Singer o the #1 song – PLAYGROUND IN MY MIND. Wrote with him, became friends in Las Vegas.
Frankie Moreno – 5 Time Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year. Friend, co-writer, a few shows together
Michael Martin Murphy – Singer of the hit song WILDFIRE – did a few shows together.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Did some shows together. One of the origials sang on the BEING HUMAN album
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers - Did a few shows together in Montana & Wyoming
Prince Phillip of Monaco – Met him backstage at the GSTAAD festival in Switzerland
Bryan White - Multiple shows
Music Career Timeline
1984-85
Toured the U.S with The Power Team doing school assemblies & church concerts
Produced first album titled “Never Go Away”
1987
Signed to first publishing/management deal by Pop Superstar Deniece Williams for her company Gateway Music House
Released first major label record deal by gospel music label Sparrow titled “Michael Peterson”
Landed 5 singles in the top 20 on the CCM charts from the album “Michael Peterson.
1989
Released the gospel album “Inside Out”
1990
Released the gospel album “Sampler”
1991
Released live gospel album “Live From Chicago”
1993
First #1 Song as a writer - "Takin Your Love For Granted” for The Classic Imperials
1996
Negotiated and signed publishing deal at Warner Chappell ($750,000 over 5 years) & record deal at Warner/Reprise Nashville
1997 - 1999
Recorded and released debut Country album "Michael Peterson" on Warner/Reprise records. The album yielded five consecutive Billboard top 20 singles as an artist and writer
Three #1 CMT Music videos
ACM & CMA nominations as best new Artist
1997
Billboard’s top new airplay artist
Co-Hosted WIllie Nelson’s “Farm Aid” with K.T. Oslin
1997 & 1998
Billboard Top selling new male artist
Debuted on Grand Old Opry
1998
TNN/Music City News - Best New Male
Country Weekly Magazine "Golden Pick Award" for Top New Male artist
Country Radio Music Awards Finalist for "Best New Artist" & "SONG OF THE YEAR - "Drink Swear Steal & Lie"
1999
Pacific Lutheran University sole recipient of Distinguished Alumni Award
Signed new record deal with Sony Nashville
2000
Headlined Kumoto Country Gold Festival in Japan
Recorded "Modern Man" album for SONY Nashville
2003
Played Gstaad, Switzerland Music Festival
Played Craponne Country Music Festival on France
2004
Signed with AGR/Universal for release of Sony "Modern Man" CD in Europe only
Featured performer on the German/American Country music Awards
Hot Disc Hit single "No More Looking Over My Shoulder" reaches #2
6 songs simultaneously in the top 10 on the German Chart
2005
USO Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Holiday tour - 11 countries in 8 days - including Iraq/Afghanistan/Djibouti Africa/UAE/Qatar/Bahrain/Kuwait etc...
Sang the National Anthem at the ARMY/NAVY game on CBS
2006
Created and delivered national tour & sponsorship w/New Holland Tractors.
Recorded and released 100,000 copies of new album "Down On The Farm" to New Holland dealerships across North America
2006 - 2010
Created and oversaw 4 consecutive Celebrity Tractor Race's at CMA Music Festival
Signed a Publishing deal w/Dimensional Music which became S1 America
2007
Signed contract with the U.S. Army to create and deliver "The My Real Life Tour" for students.
Recorded and self-released new album "In Black"
Became the official National Spokesman for the American Legion's American Legacy Scholarship fund.
Created and released "I Remember America" DVD for the American Legion
Recipient of the U.S. Army’s "Horatio Gates Gold Medal” for meritorious service to our nation.
2007 - 2009
Helped define the core ideas that culminated in mental health component of the US Army's groundbreaking "Comprehensive Soldier Fitness" program with UPENN
2007 - 2011
9 tours of Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea & Germany - over 150 performances
2008
Created theme song and national initiative "It's Who We Are" CD/DVD for the American Legion
Received the Bob Hope "Spirit of Hope" medal from the USO & US ARMY
Recorded and self released new album "Grave To The Cradle"
Received the "Distinguished Public Service Award" from the Union League of Philadelphia.
2 Italy tours
2008 - 2011
Created and delivered "Tag You’re It!" & "What’s Your Story? " High School student initiative for 13 High Schools in and around Huntsville AL.
2009
Recorded and released the new album "Baby I'm Stickin With You" - The album contained four top five Hot Disc hits
Record and released the "You Could Hear A Pin Drop" CD and DVD for the American Legion
2010
Co-produced The Classic Imperials new album "Still Standing"
Recorded and released new album "Depending How You're Lookin At It"
Recorded "An American Life" album with Bob Montgomery (Unreleased)
Recorded and released "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" DVD for the American Legion
Created and delivered "FIRST" initiative honoring incredible female "FIRSTS" for the Institute For Veterans & Military families at Syracuse University
Co-created The AG Warriors Program" along with the International Agriculture Center, to pave the way for placing Veterans into Agri-Business.
Co-created fund raising dinner for AG warriors featuring former President G.W. Bush raising $1 million
2011
Received the "National Education Award" from the American Legion.
Co-created “Ag Warriors” program with World Ag Exposition
2012
Received the "Public Spirit Award" from the American Legion Auxiliary
Recorded and self-released the new album "We Are Veterans”
Celebrated 6th year as Celebrity Judge and mentor with ARMY talent contest “OPERATION RISING STAR”
2013 - 2014
Worked for the US Department of State in the Republic of Georgia on two separate trips supporting an event dedicated to Soldiers with Post Trauma Stress.
Performed concert at the US Embassy for the US Ambassador.
2013 - 2015
Co-created the "We Are Veterans" initiative with WGVU & PBS (Never launched)
2015
Performed as a guest soloist with the 21st Century Orchestra in Lucerne Switzerland
2016
Performed again as a guest soloist with the 21st Century Orchestra Frankfurt, Bern, Lucerne and London at the Royal Albert Hall.
Hired as the Musical Director of the hit musical "Raiding The Country Vault" in Branson MO. (#1 concert/show on Trip Advisor)
2017
Musical Director of the hit musical "RAIDING THE COUNTRY VAULT in Branson, MO. (#1 concert/show on Trip Advisor)
Recorded and released new album "Drink Swear Steal & Lie" on 37 Records to commemorate 20 years in Country music
2018
Released 7 singles on the European Country Top 40 (HotDisc) 5 reach #1 (Including 4 consecutive #1’s) and the other two reach #2.
Successful tours in Poland, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany
2019
Successful tours in Poland, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany
Celebrated 10 years as MC for the National Veterans Creative Arts Council
Celebrated 5th year as regular guest and sometimes host of “Nashville Unplugged” at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
2020
Covid Pandemic
Launched weekly radio show “Funny You Should Ask” on Internet Radio Station “Positive Listening Radio” about 2500 weekly listeners in 27 countries
Launched “North To South” Brazilian album project with Cesar Augusto
Recorded and released inspirational single “America At The Crossroads”
2021
Covid Pandemic continues
Presented “Sertanejo &” Music streaming series with Allen Taylor and Cesar Augusto
Created “Hope Happens Here” initiative for University of Kansas
Formed “The Consulting Group” with Mike Gillespie
2022
Coming out of Covid
Began NORTH TO SOUTH Brazilian Sertanejo recording project with Cesar Augusto
2023
Getting back in the studio and on the road
The song “OUT LOUD” by Jordan Asher produced by and co-written with the legendary producer/artist Alan Parsons, Jordan Asher and Joie Scott.
2 Million Airplay award from BMI for “Drink Swear Steal & Lie”
“Merry Christmas From a Million Miles Away” reaches #3 on the iTunes chart - from the album “Christmas Duets” by Frankie Moreno which reached #1 on the iTunes chart.
2024
California Music Hall of Fame induction
Assorted Music Headlines/Press
Gstaad Switzerland Daily News
At Europe's largest country music festival in Gstaad, Switzerland with LeAnn Rimes - The headline for festival reported: "Peterson Steals The Show."
Branson News
“I've been privileged to meet a large number of music stars in my career. All of course, are talented; almost all are down to earth and very friendly; and finally, many are gifted in a number of other areas as well. Then there is Michael Peterson (…and that by the way can only be interpreted as the highest form of praise). Michael Peterson is all those and a lot more as well. What an impressive guy! He looks like he could play in a movie about the Old West, and has in fact appeared in an episode of "Walker Texas Ranger". He was also a member of the Pacific Lutheran University football team that won a national championship. Interestingly enough it was his friendship with a former teammate on that championship team who went on to work as a producer for pop star Deniece Williams that helped Michael get established in the music business. More on that in a bit.
I remember Michael from the late-90s when "From Here to Eternity" was racing up the charts. Two thoughts came to mind watching and listening to Michael on the small screen back then: "What a great voice and what charisma" were my thoughts. Now fast forward about 20 years down the road, when after hearing and meeting Michael in Branson, my earlier thoughts from seeing him that first time on television were only reinforced.
Michael smiles a lot, especially when talking about the red-hot new show in Branson called "Raiding The Country Vault". Housed at the beautiful state-of-the-art Mansion Theatre, the show is drawing rave reviews from both the media as well as the fan-generated Trip Advisor rating. It is easy to see Michael Peterson is proud of this excellent body of work and he should be! He is a vital cog in the talent-rich cast (which he also helped select). He is Musical Director as well as handling lead vocals and playing guitar. He's joined on stage by the likes of Billy Yates, Danielle Peck, Colt Prather, Michelle Poe, and Melody Hart. All possess very strong resumes. Band members have equally strong credentials as well. We don't think we would be too far out on a limb to say this is the most talent ever assembled on a Branson stage. Heck we may even go a bit farther on that limb by saying the Branson talent level rivals both Nashville and Las Vegas, maybe surpasses!
Let's go back to Michael's first job in Nashville. He was a songwriter who got acquainted with a couple of guys named Josh Leo and Robert Ellis Orrall as Michael was paying his dues in the early days he was in town. He followed the advice of his buddies to pursue a singing career, and Leo and Orrall later co-produced Peterson's first album for Reprise. The self-titled product yielded five charted songs. "From Here to Eternity" went to the top of the charts, but "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie" didn't miss by much and remains a cult favorite to this day. Another cut on the debut album that I still listen to a great deal was "Too Good To Be True". So with five hits on the first album and awards coming Peterson's way, there was much buzz about the upcoming sophomore project. It was titled "Being Human" and was released in 1999. It debuted to positive reviews and produced two charted songs.
A third album was never released, save for Europe. So after seven hit songs for an artist who was well liked and charismatic, what happened! Well what happened was label politics and jealousy and egos got in the way inside the label's hallowed walls, so Michael Peterson, instead of "household word", became an innocent victim caught up in the slime. No one ever said life was fair, particularly in that crazy business called "country music", but, friends, Michael Peterson certainly has had the last laugh ever since.
Here is what I mean. While I don't know how appropriate it would be to call Peterson the "new Bob Hope", one could certainly make an argument for that title going on Michael's resume. You see he has given more than 150 performances for our service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, which prompted the USO to present him with the highly distinguished "Bob Hope Spirit of Hope Award".
But that's not all...his voice has been featured on spots for the following: Special Olympics, Selective Service, Ronald McDonald House, USO, St. Jude's Research Hospital, American Legion, the New Holland Corporation and the U.S. Army. In addition he has been a contributing author on the "New York Times" best-selling "Chicken Soup For The Soul" series.
He and his wife, (Ret) COL Jill Chambers collaborated on the children's book, "Little Is Good". In addition to being featured on 18 albums, he has been the primary male voice for the acclaimed 21st Century Orchestra and Chorus on their Western Concert Series in both this year and 2015 that has traveled to acclaimed venues all over the world, including the Frankfurt Opera House and London's Royal Albert Hall.
Michael Peterson is a good guy who though he never achieved world-wide status as a singer, has certainly far surpassed everyone else we know of who did achieve such status, and Michael's recognition is for doing the things that count! By the way in another example of his amazing versatility, Peterson has had songs he has written recorded by artists who hold memberships in various pop, country, gospel, and rock halls of fame.
Tommy Jackson – Newspaper columnist, Branson MO.
Michael Peterson: A Ticket To Inspiration
People buy tickets to a concert every day. They go to an event, hear a few songs and then go their separate ways. When you go to a concert by Michael Peterson, you listen to music and leave with an inspirational experience. Michael Peterson has a magical metamorphic approach in the way he presents his music. Michael has an uncanny way of telling a story and putting the words to music that you will always remember.
Michael is an artist who creates Art in a “Picasso” manner when he performs. His keen ability to keep an audience enthralled during his performance is a quality that sets him apart from many professional performers today. During a recent concert at Showcase Live in Foxboro, Massachusetts Michael wowed the crowd and brought tears, exuberance, enthusiasm, and pure pleasure to all those in attendance. Michael performed a one-man show that captivated the audience like a Broadway Production. People left this concert with a feeling of joy and a sense of personal accomplishment.
That is the effect that Michael Peterson bestows after a performance. Michael is also one of the most caring and giving people you will ever meet. The day before his Showcase Live appearance he performed three separate shows for the patients at the Veterans Medical Center in Brockton. Doing an almost one hour set at each location, Michael made sure he met each one of the patients personally, bringing a smile and feeling of purpose to everyone he met.
I have a saying that I use, “Leaders are not those who are simply elected, but those who make a change in the hearts and minds of the people they come in contact with.” Michael Peterson epitomizes that statement. From a three-year old child to an eighty nine year old wheelchair bound World War II veteran Michael made a change in their hearts and minds forever.
Michael is not just a solo act. His Managing Partner retired Army Colonel Jill W. Chambers makes them a pair that can beat any full house. Her experience and exuberance make this a terrific partnership. Jill has an infective “kid in a candy store” excitement about her that is a perfect complement to all their business endeavors. Michael and Jill are true partners and true champions for the veterans and the children of this great nation. They travel thousands of miles a year and weeks on end to champion personal programs designed to aid and support our veterans and their families. Michael and Jill are two people who are true American’s and “Making a Difference” each and every day with everyone they meet.
If you are looking for inspiration in your life the best ticket in town is meeting Michael Peterson and Colonel (R) Jill W. Chambers.
Clifford Smith, Past National Commander: Sons Of The American Legion
BAGHDAD - U.S. Army News Article
In 2005, country music singer and songwriter Michael Peterson was asked to tour Iraq on a United Service Organizations tour with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as part of his Annual Holiday Tour. When the tour was done, Peterson expressed interest to USO officials in continuing to support deployed troops. “It kept ringing in my mind that there must be places that don’t get to always see the ‘big show,’” Peterson said. Since then, Peterson has toured Afghanistan twice and Iraq six times with the USO, prior to this Morale, Welfare and Recreation tour.
Once again Peterson is back, adding this second visit to Forward Operating Base Union III to his list of tour stops. It’s only been five months since his last visit to the International Zone, but the energy that overwhelmed him during his Christmas visit still lingers in his mind. “It was one of the best Christmases I’ve had,” said Peterson, who received the U.S. Army’s Bob Hope “Spirit of Hope” award in 2008. “Even though people were away from home and loved ones, [service members] still found a way to celebrate.”
During his latest tour, Peterson continued to be amazed with the troops here, stopping every once in a while to greet a service member that he remembered from his last visit to Union III. As he toured the FOB, getting a sense of a daily life for a deployed service member, Peterson met with United States Forces-Iraq’s Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter, at the Scott-Wolfer Fitness Center here as he finished up an intensive combatives workout. Peterson’s visit concluded with a musical performance, showcasing his talents for service members at the MWR stage here,
May 15. Peterson opened his show with a comedic piece, “I am my own Grandpa,” getting service members to laugh, relax and enjoy the rest of the set. Peterson continued to share his unique sense of humor throughout his show, continuing to fill the MWR facility with laughter. “We try to bring laughter to our shows,” said Peterson, who has teamed up with Travis Tritt on the duet “I Finally Passed The Bar”. “We want to bring variety to the monotony of a deployment.” Peterson’s humor took some of the audience members off guard; they were not expecting a comedy show as well. “I was shocked by the level of humor in his show,” said Idaho Edokpayi, an employee with USF-I’s International Zone Sharepoint office. “He’s funny. It’s like getting two shows in one.”
Although he had the audience cracking up between songs, his first tour to Iraq had a different mentality. “The more I’ve come [over here], the better I’ve had the understanding of [what it means] to be here and really make a contribution, not just give a concert,” he said. However, just the fact that Peterson made the effort to come to Union III to support the troops spoke volumes to appreciative service members. “[Performers] could easily choose to stay in their comfort zone,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Allen, the International Zone Support Element’s Information Systems Management Officer operations non-commissioned officer. “Instead, they choose to come over here, risking their own personal safety, to show appreciation for what we do.”
As Peterson’s show continued, he shared music from his own repertoire, and included pieces from musicals like “Oklahoma,” to which he added an alternative verse of his own, inspired by service members. “They’re stronger you see for their adversity, their future is better than they thought it might be” he sang, earning a special appreciation from his audience.
Peterson finished his show with performing a heartfelt song entitled “This Old Army Hat,” which highlights the importance of memories between veterans and their family members, and passing those memories on to future generations. “It’s an important story to tell,” he said, referring to the challenges veterans face. No matter how difficult the mission is, Peterson said that he is always impressed with the motivation and strength of America’s Armed Forces. “I will never down-play the challenges service members face,” said Peterson, who was also recognized as country music’s top-selling new artist in 1997 and 1998. “When they face adversity, they’re stronger for it, not weaker.”
U.S. Army News article
Assorted Quotes & Recommendations
I'm never surprised to see amazing performances by artists we work with (after all, that's why we work with them), but last night's show with Michael Peterson at Trout's in Bakersfield, was just simply brilliant. Along with Michael's hit songs, there were stories, patriotism, nostalgia, and laughter and tears, all tied in with a seamless multimedia presentation.
I want everyone to see this show! Michael and his wife, Col. Jill Chambers do a great deal of ongoing work with Vets- last night's performance benefited the group 'Healing Horses & Armed Forces' and Trout's was at capacity for the show. A great night hosted by one of country music's most generous and talented people.
Ken McMeans - Talent Agent
Michael Peterson drives emotion and emotion drives action.”
Gene Hemphill North American Dir of IndustryAffairs New Holland Farm Equipment
“Generally speaking, there are 'Speakers' and there are 'Singers'. Michael Peterson is one of those rare individuals who is both. With #1 records under his belt as a Country music star AND 25 years of experience as a communicator he will deliver an “Encore Effect” for your audience and event."
MarcSanborn - Speaker and Author of the best selling books “The Fred Factor” and “The Encore Effect
"I was familiar with Country music star Michael Peterson from hearing his hit songs on the radio. I had no idea he was such a funny and inspiring communicator. We were completely blown away by his ability to hit the bull’s eye for our audience."
Randy Blass Director of Management College Of Business, Florida State University
"When we hired Michael Peterson to perform a concert at our National Convention in 2005, he asked us if he could write a song for the event. We had no idea that 5 years later we would still be singing that song and his praises as a communicator. His ongoing work as the national spokesperson for the American Legacy Scholarship has made a measurable difference in helping us to provide college scholarships for the children of the fallen."
Jack Querfeld Director Of Internal Affairs American Legion National Headquarters
Veterans & Military Support Highlights
2 Consultant Contracts - Army Strategic Communications
3 Spirit of America Tours
5 My Real Life Tours
1 MWR Alaska Tour
1 USO Chairman’s Holiday Tour (Middle East)
8 MWR Iraq Tours
2 AFE Korea Tours
2 MWR Germany Tours
2 Afghanistan Tours
5 MWR Operation Rising Star Seasons
10 Consecutive years National Spokesman for the American Legion’s “American Legacy Scholarship Fund” campaign
14 consecutive years Master of Ceremonies for the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival
10 years creative consultant, performer for The Institute For Veterans and Military Families
2 Songs written for the Army (The Warriors Anthem, Trust Your Hopes Not Your Fears)
2 Army Global Leadership Conferences at West Point Military Academy
Notable Military Concerts & Speaking Events
American Legion National Conventions – 2006 -2012
Sons Of The American Legion National Conventions - 2007 – 2011
AUSA George C Marshall Dinner w/Tom Btokaw
American Legion Auxilliary National Conventions - 2009 – 2010
Union League Of Philadelphia – ARMY/NAVY Banquet Performer
ARMY Birhtday Balls in Washington D.C. – Featured performer 2006/ Co-host 2008
Institue For Veterans & Military Families (IVMF) National Convention
Entrepreneurship Bootcamp For Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) at Syracuse University 2010 – 2015
EBV at University Of Connecticut - 2 Times
EBV at Texas A&M
EBV at Purdue
EBV at Florida State University - 2 Times
Senior Professional Womens Asscociation (SPWA) Awards - 2 Times
Operation Rising Star: (The Military version of American Idol) - 2006 – 2014
Veteran Women Igniting The Spirit Of Entrepreneurship (VWISE) 23 events from 2012 – 2019
U.S. ARMY Field Band "SPIRIT OF AMERICA" concerts at Syracuse, Clevelands & Washington D.C.
Indiana National Gaurd: Welcome Home Celebrations - 3 times
Safari Club International: Veterans Breakfast Concerts - 5 Times
172nd Stryker Brigade "Welcome Home" celebration Fairbanks AL
USO Metro Gala - Introducing CJCS GENERAL Peter Pace
Gold Star Families Events
Blie Stsr Families Events
VFW Fundraising Event
West Point MIlitary Academy "Global Leadership Conference"
U.S. ARMY "Center Of Influence” Dinners - 10 times
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Awards - Created original song for them and delivered Keynote Concert
Employee Support For The Gaurd and Reserve (ESGR) Awards
Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Conventon - 2 Times
National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - 2009 - Present - Master of Ceremonies
USO & U.S. ARMY Morale, Wlefare & Recreation (MWR) Tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany & Korea - 2005 - 2011 - Over 150 performances for deployed Service Members
ARMY/NAVY Game - 2005 National Anthem
Military Initiatives & Special Projects
American Legion - 4 nationally released public service announcements
Wrote, recorded Original Song "It's Who We Are" which became the centerpiece of their national branding campaign from 2006 – 2009
Created national communications/recruiting/membership video around the song "It’s Who We Are"
National spokesperson for the “American Legacy Scholarship” helping ensure a college education for children of the fallen 2007 – 2013
Created Special Music Projects for fundraising:
- "It’s Who We Are" DVD
- "I Remember America" DVD
- "He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother" DVD
- "You Could Hear A Pin Drop" CD & DVD
Office of The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff - Consulting & Ghost Writing as part of the team developing the program to help Service Members with post Traumatic Stress that became Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) - 2007 - 2008
Office of the Chief Of Staff of The U.S> Army - Consulting & Ghost Writing 2005 – 2008
Grand Valley State University & PBS - “Wave On Old Glory, Wave On” - National Community Initiative
Veteran Women Igniting The Spirit Of Entrepreneurship (VWISE) - Created their "FIRSTS" Award & Communications Seminar
U.S. Selective Service - National Spokesperson & Advertisement
U.S. Army Office of Strategic Communications Wrote and recorded official song for the Army's "SOLDIERS CREED" Recorded “I’m A Soldier” Music Video
U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) - Consultant and Creator of the "My Real Life Tour". This PR initiative designed to increase positive impressions of Army Recruiters in communities reached approximately 200,000 people in 11 communities (Greenville, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dothan, Alabama; Columbus, Georgia; Evansville, Indiana; Midland, Texas; Waco, Texas; Lawton, Oklahoma; and Lincoln, Nebraska and Nashville Tennessee) between 2008 & 2011
Military Awards & Recognitions
American Legion Auxilliary "Public Spirit” Award
American Legion “National Educatior Of The Year” Award
Union League of Philadelphia "Distinguished Public Service” Award
USO & U.S. Army Bob Hope “Spirit Of Hope” Award
U.S. Army "Horatio Gates Gold Medal" Award
Notable Student Keynote Concert & Speaking Events
2000 + School assemblies from 1986 - 2021
National Entrepreneurship Educators Conference
“My Real Life” - Student experience for the U.S. Army 2007 – 2012
Southeast Regional D.A.R.E. Cnvention - 2 Times
4-H Dairy – National Youth Conference
FFA National Convention
Wisconsin FFA – State Convention
Southern Baptist Youth Conventions - Georgia, Missouri, Texas and South Carolina 1983 – 1995
“Tag You’re It” & “What’s Your Story?” for Madison County and Huntsville AL City Schools - 2008 - 2012 and Tucson AZ in 2017
Notable Sponsors/Spokesperson & Charities
U.S. Army – Presenting Sponsor for the My Real Life – Strong For America tour
New Holland - Celebrity spokesperson and sponsorship for the My Real Life – Strong For America tour.
Prince William Marina/SeaRay boats – Associate Sponsorship for the My Real Life - Strong For America tour.
The American Legion – National spokesperson for the American Legacy Scholarship fund and associate sponsorship for the My Real Life – Strong For America tour.
National Christmas Tree Association – National spokesperson for Trees For Troops.
Childhood Agricultural Safety Network – National spokesperson
National Tractor Safety Board – I served as a national Spokesperson for them appearing in an award winning TV Public Service Announcements
National Farm-City Council - Official Spokesperson
Charity work - Raised over $1,000,000 in support funding with and for these organizations:
FFA
4-H
The American Legacy Scholarship fund
Home Front Cares
Habitat For Humanity
American and Canadian Cancer Societies
NHL All-Star Alumni Team
Ronald McDonald House
St. Jude Children’s Hospital
American Cancer Society
Canadian Cancer Society
Tennessee Special Olympics - Served as the official Tennessee Celebrity Spokesman.
Official Spokesperson
Official Sponsorship/Spokesperson - The New Holland Corporation - 5 years
Official Spokesperson – National Farm-City Council – 1 year
Presenting Sponsorship – U.S. Army – 1 Year
Official Spokesperson - The National Christmas Tree Association – 5 Years
Official Spokesperson - Child Safety In Agriculture – 2 Years
Official Spokesperson – The American Legion Youth Legacy Fund – 10 Years
Master of Ceremonies - The National Veterans Creative Arts Festival - 14 years
Wrangler Jeans – 4 Years
Fender/Guild Guitars – 4 Years
Boulder Creek Guitars – 3 Years
Author/Co-Author/Contributing author
"Chicken Soup For The Country Soul" - (HCI & distributed by Simon & Schuster)
"Tag You’re It” – A Young Person’s Guide To The Game Of Greatness. (Ransom Publishing)
“Song – The Worlds Best Songwriters” (Writers Digest Books)
“My First Tractor: Stories of Farmers and their first love” - (Voyageur Press)
“Between The Lines and Spaces” (Standard Press)
“A Country Music Christmas” (Random House)
"Little IsGood” (Tate Books)
“My Life In Ten Minutes” – Self Published
Notable National & International Publicity
Trees For Troops – Paul Harvey, Good Morning America, AP, UPI and Public Service Announcements.
The G Gordon Liddy Show talking about the My Real Life Tour.
John Boy And Billy Show (#1 ranked Country morning radio show in America) talking about the My Real Life Tour.
Bianci Cup – Press release went out to 450,000
Nine U.S. Military Concert Tours – AP and UPI / ABC Nightly News Visits included an eleven country tour of the Middle East with the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff; General Peter Pace.
Michael Peterson/CMA/New Holland Celebrity Tractor race – AG Wired, Country Weekly, AP and UPI
The American Legion National Convention – 9 consecutive Years CNN, FOX, MSNBC, AP and UPI. Opening session break out sessions and evening concert performance.
The Commodity Classic – AG Wired, AP and UPI Concert for the National Convention of the American Soybean and the National Corn Growers Associations.
Country Weekly – The My Real Life Tour and the Spirit Of Hope Award
Trinity Broadcasting Network – 10 million viewers – Over 20 feature appearances since 1985
Notable Non-Music : Awards & Nominations
2001 - Outstanding Alumnus Award from Pacific Lutheran University.
2007 - U.S. Army’s Horatio Gates Gold Medal Award for meritorious service to our nation.
2008 - Bob Hope – Spirit Of Hope Award – Given to recognize the top civilian entertainer who has served service members. Former recipients are Walter Cronkite, Senators Strom Thurmond and Daniel K, Inouye and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
2008 Distinguished Public Service Award from the Union League of Philadelphia
The American Legion – National Education Award
Agriculture
New Holland Equipment Manufacturer
Created and delivered a 2-year branding/PR initiative impacting 1800 New Holland dealerships across North America
Helped raise close to $1 million for charity
Created and hosted the "Michael Peterson/New Holland "Celebrity Tractor Race" for four years at the CMA Music Festival
Nationally released TV Commercial
Sold 100,000 copies of the branded special edition CD "Down On The Farm" to dealerships
The International Agri-Center (World's Largest Annual Agriculture Event "The World AG Expo")
Co-created the Ag Warriors program designed to place military Veterans in AG related jobs
Co-Created the Ag Warrior Gala fundraising event with Former President GW Bush, raising nearly $1 million dollars
The American Soybean Association & The National Corn Growers Association
Wrote and performed a theme song for their national convention "The Commodity Classic"
The Child Agriculture Safety Network
Award winning Video & Radio Public Service Announcements
Ag National Spokesperson Relationships
The New Holland Corporation
The National Christmas Tree Association
The Childhood Agriculture Safety Network
Ag Keynote Concerts & Performances at National Conventions
FFA - 4 years
The National Bio Diesel Board - 2 Years
4H Dairy Youth
American Farm Bureau Fedaration (Worlds Largest Farm Organization)
American Bankers Association
American Soybean Association
National COrngrowers Association
National Ag Media Summit
American Dairy Association
National Tractor Safety Board
National Farm Broadcasters Convention - 2 years
Pennsylvania Farm Show - (The worlds largest Farm show)