Biography
Michael J. McCartan is a Gulf Coast musician and singer/songwriter who is on a mission to spread kindness. As a child, Michael was inspired by seeing the street musicians overseas, with their hand drums providing the soundtrack that would inspire him to later save up for his first drum kit; a snare drum and cymbal. Back in the States, Michael nurtured his passion for rhythm with his first band, The Undecided, who charted at #19 with their original recording, “Hold You Closer,” in Tyler, Texas. Though his father’s military career separated the group, the resulting move to Louisiana was an important event in Michael’s life; it was here that he discovered the blues.
A natural drummer, Michael has performed consistently throughout his life, including with acts such as The Classique Roc, Sunrise, The Mainstreet Band, and his dear friend, the late Al Martin. A teacher by profession, Michael used his passion for music to spread the message of positivity and kindness to his students. Though he is now retired from the education system, Michael has never stopped teaching others to “Make This World a Better Place.”
With his signature cigar box guitar, Michael grabs his audience’s attention and never lets go. As an original singer/songwriter, Michael has released several albums, including his most recent, Swamp Mix. Michael plays regularly at Monday Night Blues at Seville Quarter in Pensacola, and has opened for headliners such as Samantha Fish at Vinyl Music Hall. His sound is truly unique and his passion for music, people, and positivity is unwavering. Those who meet Michael J. McCartan can’t imagine a world without him or his songs.
Upcoming Shows
3/13/2025
Open Mic Night @ The Gordon
7pm
The Gordon Community Arts Center, Pensacola FL
3/13/2025
Open Mic Night @ The Gordon
7pm
The Gordon Community Arts Center, Pensacola FL
3/20/2025
Five Sisters Blues Cafe
6pm
5 Sisters Blues Cafe Pensacola FL
3/20/2025
Five Sisters Blues Cafe
6pm
5 Sisters Blues Cafe Pensacola FL
4/13/2025
Abe's Bar-B-Q, Juke Joint Weekend
12pm
Clarksdale, Mississippi
4/13/2025
Abe's Bar-B-Q, Juke Joint Weekend
Located at the Crossroads, where legend has it, that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil, so that he could play a Hell of a Blues Guit...
12pm
Clarksdale, Mississippi
4/21/2025
Monday Night Blues
7pm
Seville Quarter, Pensacola FL
4/21/2025
Monday Night Blues
Opening for Charlie and The Hammerheads
7pm
Seville Quarter, Pensacola FL
4/24/2025
Five Sisters Blues Cafe
6pm
5 Sisters Blues Cafe Pensacola FL
4/24/2025
Five Sisters Blues Cafe
6pm
5 Sisters Blues Cafe Pensacola FL
Discography
ORIGINAL RELEASES
2001 / “Contemplations”
2004 & 2006 / “Mr. Mac Says” children’s CD & DVD
2019 / "Swamp Mix"
2024 / "From: Under The Magnolia Tree"
MUSIC VIDEOS
2015 / “Pack My Bags” on The Uncharted Zone
2018 / “She’s Got the House” on The Uncharted Zone
Venues
2025
Regular Opening Act for Monday Night Blues at Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL, including:
1/13/2025 Opened for Prodigal Blues
2/3/2025 Opened for Rocky Denney
2/24/2025 Opened for Josh Strickland Band
3/10/2025 Opened for The Cat Daddy Blues Band
3/31/2025 Opened for Cold Stares
Performer and Occasional Host of Open Mic Night at The Gordon, Pensacola, FL, including these dates:
2/13/2025
3/13/2025
Performer at Five Sisters Blues Cafe, including these dates:
3/20/2025
2024
Regular Opening Act for Monday Night Blues at Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL, including:
1/08/2024 Opened for The Cat Daddy Blues Band
1/29/2024 Opened for The Flavors
2/05/2024 Opened for Rocky Denny & The Brotherhood
3/11/2024 Opened for The Cat Daddy Blues Band
4/1/2024 Opened for The Defrosters
4/29/2024 Opened for Skyla Burrell
5/20/2024 Opened for The Cat Daddy Blues Band
6/10/2024 Opened for The Amy Grouws Band
7/1/2024 Opened for Johnny Burgin
7/22/2024 Opened for Charlie and the Hammerheads
8/12/2024 Opened for Blue Levee
10/14/2024 Opened for Lee Maskery and The Natural Disasters
11/04/2024 Opened for Tyler Mac
11/25/2024 Opened for Skyler Saufley/ "From Under The Magnolia Tree" Album
Release Party
12/16/2024 Opened for Charlie and The Hammerheads
12/30/2024 Opened for Cristi Dee and Bad Juju
Performer and Occasional Host of Open Mic Night at The Gordon, Pensacola, FL, including these dates:
1/11/2024
2/8/2024
5/9/2024
7/1/2024
8/8/2024
10/10/2024
11/14/2024
12/12/2024
Performed the National Anthem at the Pensacola Beach Run, Pensacola, FL (1/6/2024)
Contestant in the Regional Blues Challenge 2024 (8/18/2024)
Recorded and uploaded From: Under The Magnolia Tree album @Phil Thomas Katt UZ Media (10/1/2024)
Performed at McCartan-Jensen Wedding, Austin, TX (10/27/2024)
Performed at Abe's Bar-B-Q, Juke Joint Weekend, Clarksdale, MS (4/14/2024)
2019 - 2023
Acoustic Interludes on WUWF , WUWF 88.1 FM, NPR for the Gulf Coast, Pensacola, FL (2019 and 2023)
Opening Act for Samantha Fish (twice) at Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, FL
Opening Act for Eric Lindell with Anson Funderburgh at Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, FL
Opening Act for Chris Thomas King, Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, FL
Opening Act for Amanda Fish, Monday Night Blues at Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL
Regular Opening Act for Monday Night Blues at Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL
Swamp Mix Album Release, Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL
Backyard at The Space with Al Martin, Pensacola, FL
5 Sisters Blues Cafe, Pensacola, FL
Casks and Flights with Al Martin, Pensacola, FL
Press Photos
Music Videos and Songs
Press
Michael J. McCartan in the Pensacola News Journal (Nov 2024)
Troy Moon recently did a story about Michael J. McCartan and his brand new album, From Under The Magnolia Tree. Read the article here:
Opening for Samantha Fish at Vinyl
Live at Vinyl Music Hall, opening act for Samantha Fish, October 9, 2021
Swamp Mix Live at Vinyl Music Hall
Swamp Mix Live at Vinyl Music Hall, opening act for Eric Lindell, September 21, 2019
Michael J. McCartan in InWeekly
Swamp Mix / Released May 2019 by UZ Media
Contact
Electronic Press Kit designed by Chloe Bowie (UZ Media)
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