Michael Bucher

Michael Bucher (Cherokee) is a solo acoustic singer-songwriter who was taught from the beginning of his memory the stories, language and legends of his people. His songs are intended to teach, heal and bring awareness to everyone who hears them. He sings about topics that are important to him and others in Indian Country. From the desecration of sacred sites, to Cherokee legends, to the sometimes seemingly Invisible Indian, there's a passionate quality throughout.

With strong vocals and heartfelt lyrics, his music is a blend of acoustic guitar, native and a contemporary drum, flute, shakers, rattles, bass and electric gu itars, and cuts a swath through native folk, blues and rock.

Michael grew up in a multi-racial neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. In all the diversity, his large family did what they could to ensure that they didn't become an invisible Indian.

His Cherokee ancestors go back to the Trail of Tears and earlier. Prior to the forced removal many Cherokees moved to S.E. Missouri and N.E. Arkansas. Michael and his sisters and brother are only the second generation not to be born in S.E. Missouri. They have been told the stories passed down from generation to generation and encouraged to stay close to their culture.

He is reminded by his mother and great uncle, and by the words of his grandmother and great aunt who have walked on, not to forget the stories and struggles of his people and all Indigneous people.

From these stories are the basis of his music and songs along with his own life experiences. As part of those experie nces, Michael has lived in many places thru his life,but now lives in the great northwoods of northwest Wisconsin. He stays close to his family, friends, to the stories. and to his beliefs. " There are no coincidences, everything is for a reason."

He is in the studio currently recording his new album, Believe. Bucher is again joined by the music talents of Grammy Award winner, Joanne Shenandoah and family, Leah Shenandoah and Dianne Shenandoah on the new singles titled, "Believe" and "Blessings."

Additional CD tracks will feature performances by, Curtis "Sweet Curtis Brown" Waterman (Corn Bread) on "Fat Cats" and Chief Kevin Brown (Pamunkey Tribe/Virginia) on "Mountain Top Removal."

"My music has always been a reflection of where I stand on certain issues, what I have learned, been through, and healed from. 'Believe' is just that. One of the most important things I've learned so far on my Journey is to believe. That may sound overly simplistic, however, if we don't believe, we don't have hope, without hope, no dreams for today or the future. May we all Believe." says Michael Bucher.

Michael has shared the stage with many National and International performers including, Joanne Shenandoah, Bill Miller, Keith Secola, Garnett Rodgers, John Smith, Tonemah, Pipestone Singers and many others. In 2008, he was asked by David Underwood to perform on the Pow Wow Cruise with Joanne Shenandoah and will join the cruise again in February 2010.

FILM CREDITS:

On Sacred Ground (2009) Aegis Film Group

MUSIC VIDEOS:

Dirty Water (2007) musicseenPROductions

Don't Forget About Me (2008) musicseenPROductions

The Making of Bitter Tears Sacred Ground (2008) Hondo Mesa Records

Sacred Ground Live at the Gathering of Nations (2009) musicseenPROductions

Sacred Ground - Long Version (2009) musicseenPROductions

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS:

2007 Native American Music Award Nominee for "Best Folk" and "Best Debut Artist" (Seven)

2007 Indian Summer Music Awards Nominee for "Best Folk" and "Best Pop" Album (Seven)

2008 Native E Music Awards Winner  for "Best Political Song" Don't Forget About Me (Seven)

2008 Native American Music Awards Nominee for "Best Short Form Music Video" Dirty Water (Seven)

2009 Native American Music Awards Nominee for  "Best Male Artist", "Best Record", "Best Compliation" CD and "Best Short Form Music Video" Don't Forget About Me (Bitter Tears Sacred Ground)

2009 Native American Music Awards Winner for "Best Compilation" CD (Bitter Tears Sacred Ground)

2009 1st Round Grammys for Best Folk Americana (Bitter Tears Sacred Ground - Hondo Mesa Records)

COMMENTS:

"Show stopping collaborations between Joanne Shenandoah & Michael Bucher..." Native American Music Awards 2009 

"Michael Bucher is an American songwriting icon." -- Native People's Magazine

"Michael's music is some of the best I've heard in a long time. Nothing less than phenomenal" -- Vincent Schilling, author/columnist for Indian Country Today

"Michael's music and his 'Dirty Water' video is an excellent recourse for teaching college students about American Indian Sacred Sites. Thank you for your hard work." Reno Charette - Director of American Indian Studies - Montana State Univ./Billings

"Thank you beyond my ability to express into words for your music. When I first heard 'Don't Forget About Me', I cried, and still do. It touches me in a very deep and sacred place." -- Mary Jo -- fan from Petaluma, Ca.

Management Representation for Michael Bucher
Karla R. LaRive | Studio West Management
Post Office Box 752
Hot Springs, SD 57747 USA
karla@studiowestmanagement.com

Instrumentation
Michael Bucher - Vocals, Guitar, Native flute and Native drums

Discography
Believe (2009) Blue Hills Records

Rise-up: Music from Native America Compilation CD (2009) Spirit Winds Records

Bitter Tears Sacred Ground, Honoring Johnny Cash, Peter La Farge and Floyd Red Crow Westerman - Compilation CD (2008) Hondo Mesa Records

Seven (2006) Blue Hills Records

www.michaelbucher.com
www.myspace.com/michaelbucher
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/MichaelBucher