Michael Schott

But most of all, every musician you run into there (Nashville) is better than you are and every time I play there I come back with some “trick” I never saw. - Michael Schott

Michael said he enjoys playing on the stage and can't remember the last time he didn't sing without some kind of music instrument.

MICHAEL SCHOTT LIVES AND LEARNS MUSIC

By David C. Lannan 

Michael Schott has been performing since he was about 9 and uses every opportunity he can to learn and improve. Many of his songs are written about experiences he hasn't had personally but the men in his life inspire him. The first song he sang in public was his own original "Lucky" in a school talent show, which he won. He's been performing whenever and wherever he can ever since.

I exchanged emails with Michael to get an update on what he has been doing lately. Here’s our Q&A session.

Q&A WITH MICHAEL SCHOTT

DL: Do you or have you ever played any musical instruments? If you do, how do you feel it helps your musical journey?

MS: I play guitar, bass guitar, mandolin and just started in on the harmonica. To be honest, I can’t imagine singing without playing something. I have always done both!

DL: Have you written any of your own music or songs or co-wrote with anyone?

MS: Yes I have developed a nice catalog of originals in the past two years. The three releases I sent you are all originals. I am releasing originals every month this year into next. I am currently doing some co-writes with our NSAI Chapter director David Snyder and a really talented young lady Jenny Kidwell who I feel like I am helping along with her music here in Swansboro.

DL: What is your inspiration for your songs?

MS: I get this a lot because I write songs about experiences I haven’t experienced. The best way I can explain it is that I have always been around adult men, especially my dad and grandfather. I hear them tell stories and I just see it like I was there. Sometimes I develop a melody, and I come up with a chorus from there. Those songs can take a long time to develop. There are times when I get a title, like my last release, Young Man’s Six String (With an Old Man’s Soul) I wrote this in 20 minutes because the title almost told the whole story.

DL: What is your favorite or couple of favorite originals you have sung/written and what do they mean to you?

MS: My Heroes. This was my first release and it is a tribute to all our veterans, especially the ones that never came home. We have a long military service record in our family.

Young Man’s Six String I love because, although it didn’t start by design this way, it represents my situation now. Nobody expects to hear the type of music they hear when they come to one of my shows.

DL: Do you have any albums or original songs recorded and if so, what are they and where can readers get them?

MS: I have had the privilege to work with acclaimed Nashville producer Jimmy Ritchey (Clay Walker, Jake Owen, Mark Chesnut) and we have songs being released every month this year into next. They are available on all streaming platforms under my name Michael Schott or they are available on my website www.michaelschottmusic.com.

DL: What is your favorite part of the music business and why? Your least favorite?

MS: Playing live on big stages. When I’m in that zone, I’m alive. My least favorite is dealing with some of the people who don’t have your best interests in mind.

DL: If you could perform with anyone in the music business, who would it be and why?

MS: Merle Haggard. I just feel like we have a connection when singing. Hard to explain but I don’t try to replicate his style but it just happens, especially on the ballads.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Michael said if he couldn't be an entertainer on stage he would like to be a producer.  He's opened for Sawyer Brown and  will be opening for Chris Cagle in July in Virginia. He is really happy with the support he gets from family, friends and fans.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND MICHAEL?

Website: www.michaelschottmusic.com

YouTube: @MichaelSchottMusic

Social Media: Find him on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

BOOKING MICHAEL

If you would like to book Michael for your fair, festival or other special event, contact michaelschottmusic@gmail.com

In addition to writing this blog for KICR, David C. Lannan is a freelance writer with feature stories published across the country. He is also a member of the Board of Advisors for The Branson Opry. If you would like to be considered for a future blog, send your contact info and links to your music to dlannan@LFE.design.