bio





modmich

The success of the hit single, "Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie" catapulted Michael Peterson into the national spotlight in 1997 and the follow up release, "From Here To Eternity," earned the singer his first #1 hit.  The self-titled debut disc was certified gold and Peterson was recognized as country music's top selling new male artist of 1997 and 1998. 

Born in Tucson Arizona in 1959, Michael took the "roundabout" route to Nashville. While growing up in Richland, Washington, he developed a deep appreciation and love of music while spending time with his grandmother and her extensive record collection. She nurtured his interest as he began writing songs, playing his guitar and singing.  

Michael enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University on a football scholarship. Although he joined the University chorale his first semester, he had to place his musical aspirations on hold.  He worked on his psychology degree and played left offensive tackle on a championship winning team.

After graduation, he spent the next twelve years as an inspirational speaker, working with school children across the country.



In the mid 80's he ran into his old football coach, Brad Westering, who had become a major player in the music business, working with songtress, Deniece Williams. . Through Westering, Peterson got the opportunity to write songs for Williams, as well as gospel headliners The Imperials.  This all led to the production of Peterson’s first release, “Michael Peterson,” a collection of contemporary Christian songs, on Sparrow Records in 1986. 

It would be over a decade before the release of his next album, also called “Michael Peterson,” but this self-titled country smash was a golden delight on Reprise Records.  The album produced four hit singles, “Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie," "From Here to Eternity," “Too Good To Be True” and “When the Bartender Cries.” Michael Peterson was named Top New Artist of 1997 by both Billboard and Radio & Records and honored as Country Weekly's Male Newcomer and Gavin's Artist to Watch in 1998.

The 90’s ended as “Being Human,” his second country album, was released, launching two top 30 chart singles, Something 'Bout a Sunday" and "Sure Feels Real Good." Michael made his dramatic television debut with a guest appearance on “Walker, Texas Ranger” and continued his string of accolades by winning the 1999 Male Star of Tomorrow Award at the fan-voted TNN/Music City News Awards.



The new millennium brought new challenges and new horizons for  Michael Peterson.   He signed with a new label, Sony/Monument,  changed management companies and enlisted a new booking agency. 

Michael released the single, “Modern Man” on Monument in 2002.

But an ill-timed label shake-up interrupted the release of Peterson's CD and sidetracked him for nearly 2 years.

But great music always finds a way to be heard. In March of 2004 AGR/Universal acquired the rights to the "Modern Man" album from SONY and released the CD in Europe. The first week on the charts in Germany, the album boasted 6 songs in the top 40, with the single, " No More Looking Over My Shoulder " reaching # 2 on the German Country charts and # 1 on the Trans-European Hit Predictor Hot Disc" chart.

Michael's
record breaking European concert appearances have received rave reviews and the release of his forthcoming album is highly anticipated on both continents!

Michael Peterson is definitely turning up the heat.  Is there a movie deal and TV show in his near future ?  Stay tuned.