McCartney Times

Michael began playing at age seven when his parents bought their first piano. Encouraged by family and friends, he formed his first band at age 10 and began playing local functions, fine-tuning the craft that would become his chosen career. His first full-time gig as a musician was an extended engagement at the renowned dueling piano bar Blazing Pianos in Orlando, Florida.

In January 1999, Michael received an offer that would unknowingly change his life, moving to Las Vegas to perform at the famed New York-New York Hotel and Casino. It was there that Billy Joel spotted Michael and joined him on stage during a career-defining performance in February 2001. That night marked the beginning of Michael’s ascent to Broadway. Michael closed up shop at New York-New York and moved to New York City to work alongside Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp to shape what became the hit musical Movin’ Out. He gave over 1,000 performances in the lead role and received both Grammy and Tony Award nominations.

After Movin’ Out’s final performance and a run of more than three years, Michael Cavanaugh began touring the world in his own right. He soon became one of the most sought-after artists in the private events market and continues to perform worldwide. His tours include corporate and charity events, Performing Arts Centers, as well as major sporting events, including PGA Tour events, the Super Bowl, and the Indy 500.

It wasn’t long before symphony orchestras discovered Michael’s talent and audience appeal. He accepted his first orchestral booking, “Michael Cavanaugh – The Music of Billy Joel and More,” which debuted in April 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has launched three additional orchestral shows: “The Music of Elton John and More,” “The Music of Paul Simon, Neil Diamond and James Taylor,” and “Rockin’ Christmas with the Pops.” Michael continues to tour all four symphony productions alongside his multiple band-oriented shows. He has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Malaysia and continues to thrill audiences with his high-energy performances and exceptional musicianship.

In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Michael Cavanaugh has established a successful recording career. His first studio album, In Color, was distributed in 2008 through Warner/ADA. His 2017 release, The Way I Hear It, featuring all original songs, debuted at No. 17 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. In 2021, Michael released Christmas, which reinterprets holiday classics in his signature piano-rock style. He has also released An Evening at the Symphony, a CD/DVD of his “Music of Billy Joel” show recorded live with a full symphony orchestra.

Recently, Michael Cavanaugh was named to the POLLSTAR Live75, recognized among the top 75 active touring acts in the country for both his symphony and Performing Arts Center shows.

Learn more at https://michaelcavanaugh.com

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