A leading exponent of contemporary acoustic guitar and a consummate performer - and he makes it look so easy!

Michael's repertoire includes Jazz and Blues, Celtic and Australian Folk, Country, Classical and his own distinctive compositions, many of which have received national TV and radio exposure, and an enthusiastic industry and media response.

Michael's unique style - distinctively Australian and highly original in its presentation - marks him as a performer not to be missed.

It takes a very special talent for a musician to be able to stand alone on a concert stage and captivate an audience - particularly when he is doing it with just the aid of a single acoustic guitar.

But Michael Fix has that ability - when he begins to play, all eyes and ears turn to him and he has the total attention of everyone in the room.

It's partly due to his remarkable skills as a guitarist, but mostly it's because of his unique music - a passionate, emotional, evocative outpouring that touches listeners to the very core of their being.

Michael Fix has been evolving as one of Australian music's leading acoustic guitarists for the past decade or more. He began performing in his home town of Wollongong at the age of 12, and in his early twenties moved to Sydney, where he was discovered by the legendary Tommy Emmanuel.

Emmanuel became a mentor to the young guitarist and spent several years teaching and working with him.

Michael's credentials include several years with the acclaimed Sydney band Hat Trick, which he joined in 1985. He recorded two albums with the band, including Australia's first independently produced CD, Beethoven, Roll Over. Hat Trick specialised in eclectic versions of classical and folk pieces, and this music has played a major role in the development of Michael's own musical style.

1991 - 1995 saw Michael working with award-winning singer/songwriter Graeme Connors, touring Australia several times as lead guitarist with Connors' Prodigal Sons band.

Michael also found time to produce two independent solo albums, and to build up a strong and rapidly growing following for his work with a succession of solo shows. His first album, Tantalise, was released in 1992, to critical and popular acclaim. The album featured a number of original tracks and demonstrated the diversity of his talents.

In 1993 he released Fingerpaintings, which proved to be an even more effective showcase for him, both as a composer and as a musician. The album featured 10 original tracks.The first single from Fingerpaintings, the evocative Sunrise Over Alice, took Fix into the finals of the Instrumental of the Year category at the 1994 CMAA Awards. That achievement was repeated in 1995, when his Variety Club of Australia anthem, Bush Bash, was an Instrumental of the Year finalist, and again in 1996 with Sun Daze also reaching the finals.

Videos of Michael's songs have featured on the ABC TV show Landline, and have also been included on Landline compilation albums and on The Winners 2, 3, 4 and 5 albums, released on the EMI label.

Michael's debut album for ABC Music, The Heart Has Reasons, marked a major step forward for this talented guitarist. The album has provided the launching pad for a full-time solo career that takes Michael into a more ambient, emotional style of music and onwards to a new level of musical success.

Recognition of Michael's extraordinary talents on the guitar have led to major ongoing sponsorship deals with Maton Guitars and D'Addario Strings, as well as Australian clothing manufacturer Kakadu.

Maton, ABC Music and Michael's publisher, Music Sales, have been promoting an extensive program of guitar workshops which have taken Michael to virtually every part of Australia.

August '96 saw the release of a brand new single, this time on the ABC Country label. Titled Falling, the single melds the traditional country sounds of bluegrass music with a strong Celtic influence and Michael's own distinctive and evocative style. The result is a dynamic, highly exhilarating and unique sound. Falling was nominated finalist for Instrumental of the Year, 1997.

On Australia Day 1997, Michael opened the Gift to a Nation concert, performing Classical Gas with Tommy Tycho's orchestra. This event was filmed before 150,000 people and telecast live across the nation on Channel 7.

Other recent achievements include tours with Christine Anu, a guest spot on Canadian singer Anne Murray's Australian tour, and appearances at nearly every major acoustic music festival.

Latest projects include the production of a guitar workshop video, No Secrets!, filmed live at the Brisbane Guitar Centre. This video features Michael performing, demonstrating and discussing a variety of topics of interest to guitar enthusiasts of all levels.

October 1997 saw the release of a three-track single, Breakup Breakdown on the ABC Country label. This track became a finalist in the 1998 CMAA awards - Best Instrumental.

Instrumental tracks composed by Michael are being increasingly heard as themes or incidental music on radio and television programmes nationally.

October 98 saw the release of a new EP Promise, on Brian Cadd's Stallion label. Promise features some of the most popular tracks from Michael's live shows.

In January 1999, after being a finalist six years in a row, Michael finally won the coveted CMAA Golden Guitar statue with Mr Wonglepong . This feat was repeated a year later when Michael took out back-to-back awards with the single Walkin' the Walk.

The early part of 2000 sees Michael spending much time in the studio, producing tracks for a variety of artists, as well as writing material for his own forthcoming album.

Michael FIX - Official Web Site
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~mfix/
1999 & 2000 Golden Guitar winner CMAA awards