Michael Z. Cummings grew up in Boston surrounded by music. The deep bluesy sounds of Lightin’ Hopkins, Broonzy, Son House and Mississippi John Hurt oozed through the cracks of his brother’s room. The street performances, live gigs and public performances by the students at Berklee, Boston Conservatory and New England Conservatory were a constant happening. From CD’s of Bob Dylan, Doc Watson, Rolling Stones, the Beatles and James Brown as well as the classical guitar of Andres Segovia were listened to, synthesized and memorized. This is why Michael picked up a guitar and just started playing.

Michael began playing Electric Rhythm Guitar with a flat pick in garage bands and later began playing Classical guitar, Ragtime, and Country finger- pickin’, and became very influenced by the banjo playing of Earl Scruggs. Michael attended the Wolfman school of Music and eventually blended his love for poetry, storytelling and guitar to create his original compositions. Becoming a singer/songwriter was about connecting emotionally with listeners. To him it was about becoming less of a guitarist and more of a storyteller and observer. Michael’s humble demeanor makes him a musician who moves listeners to reflection.

Michael’s new self-titled album like himself is a soulful hodgepodge of Blues, Folk, Americana, and Country. Michael pastes together various pieces of his past written poetry, all of stories of his life and the life of others, interactions of friends, family and foe, and the current state of America using his vocals, guitar, harmonica, lap steel, dobro and more. Michael is not quite a cynic, but he also does not see the world as saintly. This allows him to create organically raw music and lyrics that will remind listeners of their past, their childhood, ex-lovers, respectful relationships, what they do and do not like in the world today and why they keep on living. Michael’s new album is a respite for the soul of all who listen.