After spending almost 5 years in the bands VALHALLA and then its re-incarnation FORGE it was time to move on. The breaking point for Michael was a loss of creative control of the group to an overbearing and sub-intelligent manager.
After many hours of hard deliberation, Michael decided to leave his very much loved band mates, Chuck & Jon, and pursue a solo career. And after a fast paced two months of auditioning drummers & bass players along with writing/recording brand new songs, he settled upon the band name RIDDLE. It was then that the three musicians hit the ground running with his brand new project.
After signing up with a local touring/talent agent, Michael then contacted his old friend RONNIE MONTROSE to come and produce RIDDLE’s first full length recording with T. Michael handling all writing, guitar playing, and singing chores.
The band RIDDLE saw many line up changes over the next few years but the core of the music remained the same, with a focus on Guitar, Bass, and Drums. This focus kept the band sounding raw and energy laden; very much like the idols of whom T. Michael grew up listening to. Artist’s like: MONTROSE, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, FREE, MOUNTAIN, CREAM, BLACK SABBATH etc. etc.
This formula landed T. Michael a couple of independent record label deals and saw him touring just as had been the case with his past bands VALHALLA and FORGE. There was also a steady gaining in radio air play, television appearances, and popularity for RIDDLE with old & new found fans alike.
Eventually becoming frustrated and disenchanted with the music industry altogether, and for many of the same reasons that lead to his departure from his previous bands, Michael one day told the executive of a major record label to “Put It Where The Sun Don’t Shine” and promptly walked away from the music industry altogether for about a decade, wanting nothing more to do with the whole sordid business of the industry itself.
It was during this “lost decade” that T. Michael wasn’t really lost at all but went on to pursue his lifelong dream of owning his very own Hunting & Fishing Ranches.
After purchasing several thousand acres of land in California & in his home state of Florida, and along with lot’s of hard work, T. Michael has witnessed his dream come to fruition. You can see for yourself what he has built over the past 12 years at: NativeHunt.com
T. Michael & Jon Hampton have remained friends through the years after playing together in the bands Valhalla & Forge, and today they have formed a partnership in the music business again with their production company named: Baron Brothers Productions.
Baron Bros Productions specializes in custom writing theme songs for websites, blogs and movie soundtracks, and there is also a brand new album being written by the duo which will be slated for release sometime in 2010.
Check them out at BaronbBrothersProductions.com
