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15 Facts About Michael Messer

1.

Michael Messer is noteworthy for his ability to combine acoustic and electric National slide and lap steel guitar into his playing style.

2.

Michael Messer is included in the Virgin Encyclopaedia of the Blues.

3.

Michael Messer appeared in his own 'blues' episode of the BBC Television show, ZingZillas.

4.

Michael Messer moved to the United States while in his early twenties and in Nashville, Tennessee, both met and heard the country music performances of Roy Acuff, Hank Snow and Johnny Cash.

5.

Michael Messer performed solo and in several line-ups, before meeting Ed Genis in 1983.

6.

Michael Messer formed the Michael Messer Band in 1985, and this initially included Messer, Ed Genis, Andy Crowdy and Jeffro Robertson.

7.

In 1989, Michael Messer's band played on Ted Hawkins album, I Love You Too.

8.

Michael Messer began to gain a reputation for incorporating different musical genres, as well as the blues, into his work.

9.

In 1999, Michael Messer travelled to Alberta to work with the Canadian guitarist and songwriter Doug Cox.

10.

One of Cox's songs, "Cold When I'm Dead", featuring Michael Messer playing the electric slide guitar was used in Terry Gilliam's film, Tideland.

11.

In 2005, Michael Messer signed a new recording contract with Cooking Vinyl, who released Lucky Charms the following February.

12.

Michael Messer's live show with the Second Mind Band gained worldwide recognition.

13.

The National Debt CD, From the Horse's Mouth, to which Michael Messer contributed was featured by Mark Lamarr on his BBC Radio 2 show.

14.

In February 2013, Michael Messer held a workshop on the Mississippi Delta and Chicago-style blues slide guitar at the Mahindra Blues Festival in India.

15.

Michael Messer has retained a global fan base for his virtuoso guitar playing, enjoying a thirty-year recording career.