If this quote is true, then Michael Peterson must have lived a lifetime of great "moments" in the last two years because he has certainly been collecting unforgettable memories. The success of three top five songs from his self-titled gold debut release - the clever "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie," the wedding classic, "From Here To Eternity" and the catchy "Too Good To Be True" - resulted in Michael being recognized as country music’s top selling new male artist for 1997 and 1998. Michael’s radio success also earned him the titles of Billboard’s "Top New Airplay Artist of 1997" and Gavin’s "Artist To Watch in 1998." In 1999 country music fans selected him as "Male Star of Tomorrow" at the TNN Music City News Awards.
An inspired and disciplined songwriter, Peterson has had his songs recorded by such artists as Deniece Williams and The Imperials. Most recently, Michael wrote the title cut to Travis Tritt’s album, No More Looking Over My Shoulder, but he has saved a few good songs for himself. Michael Peterson is the only new male artist in the last few years to be both the singer and writer of all his hits. This, combined with Michael’s infectious, high-energy live show, puts him in the triple threat category and sets him apart as a unique talent and creative force in music today.
If you were to ask Michael Peterson what his greatest memories were, he would quickly reminisce about his decision to play football in college and how it ultimately led to a starting role on Pacific Lutheran’s National championship team, which then led to his being in the music business. He might discuss the untimely death of both his real father and his step-father and how those experiences led him into twelve years of working in schools with kids across America and overseas, profoundly impacting his life and his music. He might relate the story of a child who had incredible speech problems in school and was very withdrawn socially unless a Michael Peterson song was played. Then Michael might laugh and tell you about his very moving debut on the Grand Ole Opry where he was so overcome with emotion and reverence that he found himself kissing the circle where Hank Williams had stood before him. He’d surely smile when he spoke of the first time he sang a duet with his 7-year-old daughter on stage and how
she stole the show. Michael might tell you why it means so much to him to be the official spokesperson for Special Olympics in Tennessee and the important connection between that and his recent Outstanding Alumni Award from Pacific Lutheran University.
Given the chance, Michael could go on and on relating memories that have little to do with his chart success and everything to do with a human being...Being Human.
Being Human, the new album produced by Robert Ellis Orral and Josh Leo, who also produced Michael’s debut album, features 11 songs (9 co-written by Peterson) which explore the intimate nature of human relationships – both the ones we have with others and the one we have with ourselves.
Songs like "Laughin’ All The Way To The Bank," and "Somethin’ ’Bout A Sunday" are timeless invitations to the listener to be good to themselves. "You Find Love When You Make It" and the unbelievably powerful title cut, "Being Human," invite inspiring self-examinations.
In the tradition of Kris Kristofferson’s "Help Me Make It Through The Night," Michael and renowned songwriter John Bettis have penned what ought to become a romantic standard: the sensual and timeless "Let Me Love You One More Time." Romance, gratitude, unspeakable joy and commitment are the centerpiece of any lasting love relationship, and they are superbly and freshly expressed by the songs "I Owe It All To You" and "Sure Feels Real Good."
Michael’s duet with Bekka Bramlett on the Jim Weatherly/Peterson composition, "Two Of The Lucky Ones," is also one of the finest moments on an album that is full of moving performances.
Finally, the song that audiences have been requesting at Michael’s live shows for two years – the reflective waltz "Slow Dance" – rounds out this sophomore release with the kind of musical exclamation point which represents a "quantum leap" for Michael Peterson as an artist and songwriter. Considering the success of his debut album in 1997, this is quite an achievement.
Michael’s musical goals have remained constant since the beginning - "make people laugh, dance and leave them with something to think about." His personal goals, however, have gotten much simpler in light of the whirlwind of success that he has enjoyed in the past two years and the hectic schedule that goes along with it. He laughs and says that he simply wants to "empty what is full, fill what is empty, and scratch where it itches." That sounds like the epitome of a human being just Being Human.
