Michael Powers (born February 7, 1952) is an American blues guitarist and singer who has a varied style. He has fronted various bands since the late 1960s and has released albums from the late 1990s until the 2010s. He has been nominated for several blues and Grammy awards.

Background Michael Powers was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on February 7, 1952, to parents James and Doris Murchison.ZOHO - Michael Powers, Revolutionary Boogie He grew up in New Jersey. His father who was a merchant seaman was away most of the time. His mother also had polio.WBUR, April 14, 2015 - The Life Of A NYC Bluesman

As a boy, while watching television Powers would use a broom to play along with music performances. His mother later bought him a guitar with trading stamps.Tri-County Independent, June 4, 1978 - Shields and Powers to headline Mother's Best Fest - Thomas Jacques He got early help from a man called Frank Delio who was from his congregation who taught him how to tune the guitar. Years later, Powers recalled that he was an amazing guitar player and teacher.WBUR, April 14, 2015 - The Life Of A NYC Bluesman

In the early part of Powers' career, he had his own band while still in high school. Later, he was a member of the group, The Ad Libs who had the hit, "The Boy from New York City".Tri-County Independent, June 4, 1978 - Shields and Powers to headline Mother's Best Fest - Thomas Jacques

For some years, Powers was a member of the group Moonbeam who had opened for artists such as Bo Diddley.

Powers' guitar playing was described by The Guardian as "understated" and "free of the more furious embellishments of so many would-be blues rockers".The Guardian, Friday December 16, 2005 - Review, Michael Powers, Onyx Root - Robin Denselow Frank Matheis of Acoustic Roots & Country Blues said that Powers was the only guitarist that truly reminded him of Jimi Hendrix.Acoustic Roots & Country Blues, 2004 - Michael Powers' Onyx Root by Frank Matheis

At some stage Powers lost his leg due to diabetes.Acoustic Roots & Country Blues, 2004 - Michael Powers' Onyx Root by Frank Matheis

According to ArtsWestchester, Powers is a 7-time Blues Music Award & Grammy Nominee.ArtsWestchester, Friday, April 12, 2024 - MUSIC, Michael Powers’ Blues Heritage Band

Career 1960s to 1990s In the 1990s, Powers was leading a group called Michael Powers and the Powder Keg.IsraBox - Artist: Michael Powers and The Powder Keg In June 1991 the group was playing venues such as the Abilene Cafe at 73 Eighth Avenue, New York.New York Magazine, 3 June 1991 - Page 92 NightLife DIRECTORY COMPILED BY GILLIAN DUFFY, JAZZ/BLUES, ABILENE CAFE In February 1995 they were appearing at the Terra Blues club.The New York Times, Feb. 3, 1995 - CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK, CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; In Small, Smoky Bars, Music With Grit, TERRA BLUES, 149 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village. Tonight at 7: "32 20." Tonight at 10: Michael Powers and the Powder Keg They released the album Power Stomp in 1998. The songs included "Let the Good Times Roll", " Smokestack Lightnin'", "Dust My Broom" and "Killing Floor". Besides Powers on guitar and vocals, the group included Marco Petrilli on bass and Luigi Franconi on drums.IsraBox - Artist: Michael Powers and The Powder Keg

2000s to 2010s Onyx Root His album Onyx Root was released in 2004. It was reviewed by Frank Matheis of Acoustic Roots & Country Blues. Matheis said that it was a masterpiece.Acoustic Roots & Country Blues, 2004 - Michael Powers' Onyx Root by Frank Matheis The following year, it was given four stars and received a positive review by Robin Denselow of The Guardian.The Guardian, Friday December 16, 2005 - Review, Michael Powers, Onyx Root - Robin Denselow The album also got Powers a nomination in the Blues Foundation Best New Artist Debut category.Memphis Flyer, Dec. 31, 2004 - local beat - Andria Lisle

Prodigal Son In 2006, Powers released his Prodigal Son album. In addition to his six original compositions, he covered material by Sonny Boy Williamson, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Reed, Rev. Gary Davis, Arthur Lee and Tiny Bradshaw. It was reviewed by Jim Santella of All About Jazz who gave the album three stars, and said "For the most part, Powers rocks hard with electric guitar and plenty of action".All About Jazz, October 9, 2006 - Michael Powers: Prodigal Son By Jim Santella It was reviewed by Lahoradel Blues in 2007 with the reviewer saying, "You can’t deny it’s a splendid record" and that he showed "talent, passion and knowledge in every song he plays". The examples given were, "Goin’ Down", "White Lightning", "Wild Side", "Compassion" and "Prodigal Son". Lahoradel Blues, - Michael Powers “Prodigal Son” It was also received a positive review by David Barnard of Exclaim Magazine. Powers covered the song "Signed D. C." which was written by Arthur Lee. Barnard pointed out the dilemma of both Powers and Lee having to find acceptance as a rock musician. He finished off by saying that the album was Diverse and original and that it deserved to be heard beyond the blues ghetto.Exclaim!, Mar 22, 2007 - Michael Powers, Prodigal Son BY DAVID BARNARD

Further activities In May, 2007, Powers appeared on the DCC museum "Delta Sounds" radio program on KFFA-AM. It was hosted by Sonny Payne and Terry Buckalew. He also gave a free concert which was held in the afternoon at the Cherry Street Pavilion.Tri-County Independent, June 4, 1978 - Shields and Powers to headline Mother's Best Fest - Thomas Jacques

It was reported by Domenic Forcella in the July 19, 2007 issue of The Register Citizen that Powers and Connecticut act Ryan Hartt and the Blue Hearts were appearing at McCook's Park for the East Lime Day celebration on Saturday July 21.Calendar-365.com - July 2007 CalendarThe Register Citizen, July 19, 2007 - NEWS, Blues Beat By DOMENIC FORCELLA

In 2011, he had his Revolutionary Boogie album released on Zoho Roots ZM 201109.Discogs - Michael Powers (3) – Revolutionary BoogieZOHO - Michael Powers, Revolutionary Boogie

Powers was one of the headline acts booked to appear at the Front St. Jazz & Blues Walk which was held in Lahaina on April 5 and 6, 2013.The Maui News, Mar 28, 2013 - Front St. Jazz & Blues Walk

Powers played and sang on the Two Rivers Back album by The B. Christopher Band which was released on Guitar One Records in 2019. The album was reviewed by Steve Jones of Blues Blast magazine. With one of the two songs that Powers performed on, Jones said " Powers stings like a bee on his solo and then reprises as he takes the tune home".Blues Blast, October 11, 2019 - The B. Christopher Band – Two Rivers | Album Review BY STEVE JONES

2020s Powers with his Blues Heritage Band was booked to appear at the New Rochelle Public Library in New York on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 7:00 pm.Talk of the Sound, September 1, 2023 - New Rochelle Public Library Friday Night Concert Series Kicks Off On September 8 Written By: Robert Cox

Leading his band, the Blues Heritage Band which comprised Charlie Torres on bass, Michael Fox on drums, and Tommy Mandel on piano, they were booked to appear at the New Rochelle Public Library in New Rochelle, New York on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 7:00pm.ArtsWestchester, Friday, April 12, 2024 - MUSIC, Michael Powers’ Blues Heritage Band

Discography + Albums Act Title Label Catalogue Year Notes # Michael Powers and the Powder Keg Power Stomp Lightning Rod 1998 IsraBox - Artist: Michael Powers and The Powder Keg Michael Powers Onyx Root Baryon Records BYN002 2004 Back to the Roots - Michael Powers, Onyx Root, Baryon BYN 002 Michael Powers Prodigal Son Baryon Records BYN 005 2007 Back to the Roots - Michael Powers, Prodigal Son, Baryon BYN 005 Michael Powers Revolutionary Boogie Zoho Roots ZM 201109 2011 Discogs - Michael Powers (3) – Revolutionary BoogieZOHO - Michael Powers, Revolutionary Boogie The Michael Powers Frequency BandAKA Michael Powers & Frequency Pumping Hot Latin Blues Live Comic Talent 888295214834 2015 Hey Joe Covers - MICHAEL POWERS AND FREQUENCY, PUMPING HOT LATIN BLUES LIVE (Bombeando Caliente)AllMusic - Release: Pumping Hot Latin Blues Live (Bombeando Caliente) Michael Powers Frequency(CD - #5638415487)

+ Compilation albums Act Title Label Catalogue Year Notes # Michael Powers Bluesiana Breeze 3 Decades 2011 Amazon - ALBUM, Bluesiana Breeze 3 Decades

Further reading Static and Feedback, June 20, 2008 - Once again, Michael Powers outlasts them all By JOSHUA LIEBERSON Blues Matters 63, Dec 1, 2011 - Interviews, Page s 44 - 47 Michael Powers Interview with Brian Kramer

References

External links Discogs - Michael Powers (3) AllMusic - Michael Powers Michael Powers channel, Dec 22, 2023 - Full Show Michael Powers at Club Helsinki Hudson - New York 2014 Michael Powers channel, Apr 17, 2024 - Michael "Murch" Powers NY Blues Heritage Band - A Night In Madrid, Onyx Root Blues Compartido channel, Dec 28, 2020 - Michael Powers - Blues Musician