FIRST, A LITTLE HISTORY...
Kevin Michaels grew up in a family of Musicians and entertainers that have performed for generations. Kevin's grandparents sang on the radio in Barbershop quartets and quintets and toured all over the world including Asia in the 1940s and '50s and were in the Presidents Choir in 1969.
Kevin's uncle Michael Kollander played guitar for Bobby Darin, Andy Williams, Roger Kellaway, Tom Scott, Peanut Butter Conspiracy (Living the Dream: The Best of the Peanut Butter Conspiracy), Paul Potash, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Ricochet), Charo, Lee Hazelwood (There's a Dream I've Been Saving: 1966-1971), and numerous others. Michael and wife Cielle (then known as Ginger) wrote many songs together which were recorded by well known known Artists, such as Fifth Dimension, Four Preps, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Kevin's aunt Cielle Kollander was a part of a backup singing unit for Andy Williams, Roger Kellaway, Les Baxter, Yma Sumac, etc. Both wrote great songs. The Fifth Dimension recorded their song for their "Age of Aquarius album called "Skinny Man," song which was about Kevin's father, who lived on a hill at the time, which received considerable airplay. The song was also on the 5ths recent 2016 album: The Complete Soul City/Bell Singles 1966-1975, and released in 2007 again on another album called "Stoned Soul Picnic/The Age of Aquarius". Michael also performed with Les Baxter's Balladeers. Michael also composed a song for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's album Ricochet. Michael and Cielle in the 1960-1974 were staff writers for Capitol Records, A&M Records and Warner Brothers Record companies. Kevin's mother Diane sang with his aunt Cielle for Andy Williams and Roger Kellaway. She also worked with many other Artists such as, Emil Richards, Chuck Domanico, Tom Scott, and many other greats artists whom Kevin met early in his childhood.
Kevin's other uncle John Foss, a long time Trumpet player who graduated from New England Conservatory of Music in the late fifties, went on to playing with many greats such as Tommy Dorsey, Wayne Newton, the Beach Boys, Andy Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Robert Goulet, Roger Kellaway, Chicago, Maynard Ferguson, Frank Sinatra along with a whole slew of entertainers that went through the mid 60's to late 70's Vegas show circuit.
Kevin's father worked with many artists such as Elton John, Leon Russel, Barbara Keith, Roger Kellaway, Chicago, The Beach Boys, Tommy Bolin, Tom Scott, Linda Rondstat, Dolly Parton, Mike Lang, Andy Williams, Billy Joel, Crosby Still Nash and Young, Charles Lloyd, The Beach Boys Charles Lloyd,Earle Mankey, Alan Jardine, Billy Hinsche, Ed Carter, Dennis Wilson, Ricky Fataar, Ron Altbach, Sidney Sharp, Marilyn Wilson, Henry Roth, Jack Nimitz, Jay Migliori, William Kurasch, Mike Kowalski, Jules Jacobs, Henry Ferber, and Kiki Dee. Kevin's father went on extensive road trips throughout the world with many of them. Kevin's father built many studios in Southern California, mainly Brother Studio, Sound City, Village Recorders, Gold Star, Location Recorders, etc.