Michael Cavanaugh (musician)
Encyclopedia
Michael Cavanaugh is an actor, musician and singer most famous for playing the piano/lead vocals in the band for the Broadway musical Movin' Out
. Michael was handpicked by Billy Joel
for this musical and appeared in the show for three years and over 1200 performances, receiving many accolades.
His first full-time gig as a musician was an extended engagement in Orlando, Florida
at a piano bar on International Drive called Blazing Pianos. In January 1999, Michael had the opportunity to play in Las Vegas
at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino
, where later he happened to catch the attention of Billy Joel in February 2001. Consequently, Michael moved to New York City
to work with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp
, who together shaped the Broadway musical Movin' Out
. While appearing on Broadway, Cavanaugh and his family lived in Glen Rock, New Jersey
.
With the close of Movin’ Out at the end of 2005, Michael began touring on his own, creating a show that reinterprets the modern pop/rock songbook. Michael soon became one of the hottest artists in the corporate events market. He continues to perform worldwide for corporate and charity functions, as well as at sporting events including the PGA Tour
, the US Open, and the Indy 500. Symphony orchestras soon began booking Cavanaugh. He accepted his first orchestra engagement, a "Michael Cavanaugh–The Songs of Billy Joel and more" program which debuted in April 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony; he currently still tours with this production. In October 2008, he signed with ADA/Warner to distribute his first CD titled In Color.
Cavanaugh made his Boston Pops Orchestra
debut on May 8 & 9, 2009, with Steven Reineke
conducting. Michael just recently debuted a new show called Generations of Rock where he plays Elton John and other artists who have inspired him.
When not on the road or recording, Cavanaugh resides in Las Vegas with his family. He is the father of son Matthew and daughter Mikayla. Michael and his family are Christians.
, Cavanaugh received a Grammy nomination and a Tony nomination, losing to Dick Latessa
(who played Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray
).
Movin' Out (musical)
Movin' Out is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel.Conceived by Twyla Tharp, the musical tells the story of a generation of American youth growing up on Long Island during the 1960s and their experiences with the Vietnam War...
. Michael was handpicked by Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
for this musical and appeared in the show for three years and over 1200 performances, receiving many accolades.
Biography and career
Cavanaugh is the youngest of four boys who all played instruments. When Michael was 7, his parents bought a piano and he began playing immediately.His first full-time gig as a musician was an extended engagement in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
at a piano bar on International Drive called Blazing Pianos. In January 1999, Michael had the opportunity to play in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
New York-New York Hotel & Casino is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip at 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South, in Paradise, Nevada. It is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International.-Description:...
, where later he happened to catch the attention of Billy Joel in February 2001. Consequently, Michael moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to work with Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp is an American dancer and choreographer, who lives and works in New York City.-Early years:Tharp was born in 1941 on a farm in Portland, Indiana, and was named after Twila Thornburg, the "Pig Princess" of the 89th Annual Muncie Fair in Indiana.she spend hours working on it to help her...
, who together shaped the Broadway musical Movin' Out
Movin' Out (musical)
Movin' Out is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel.Conceived by Twyla Tharp, the musical tells the story of a generation of American youth growing up on Long Island during the 1960s and their experiences with the Vietnam War...
. While appearing on Broadway, Cavanaugh and his family lived in Glen Rock, New Jersey
Glen Rock, New Jersey
Glen Rock is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 11,601.-History:...
.
With the close of Movin’ Out at the end of 2005, Michael began touring on his own, creating a show that reinterprets the modern pop/rock songbook. Michael soon became one of the hottest artists in the corporate events market. He continues to perform worldwide for corporate and charity functions, as well as at sporting events including the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
, the US Open, and the Indy 500. Symphony orchestras soon began booking Cavanaugh. He accepted his first orchestra engagement, a "Michael Cavanaugh–The Songs of Billy Joel and more" program which debuted in April 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony; he currently still tours with this production. In October 2008, he signed with ADA/Warner to distribute his first CD titled In Color.
Cavanaugh made his Boston Pops Orchestra
Boston Pops Orchestra
The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
debut on May 8 & 9, 2009, with Steven Reineke
Steven Reineke
Steven Reineke is a conductor, composer, and arranger from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the Music Director of The New York Pops. He currently resides in New York City.-Biography:...
conducting. Michael just recently debuted a new show called Generations of Rock where he plays Elton John and other artists who have inspired him.
When not on the road or recording, Cavanaugh resides in Las Vegas with his family. He is the father of son Matthew and daughter Mikayla. Michael and his family are Christians.
Awards and recognition
In 2003, for his role in Movin' OutMovin' Out (musical)
Movin' Out is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Billy Joel.Conceived by Twyla Tharp, the musical tells the story of a generation of American youth growing up on Long Island during the 1960s and their experiences with the Vietnam War...
, Cavanaugh received a Grammy nomination and a Tony nomination, losing to Dick Latessa
Dick Latessa
Richard Robert "Dick" Latessa is an American actor.Latessa was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a mother who was an automotive upholstery maker. Latessa made his Broadway debut in The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N in 1968...
(who played Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray
Hairspray (musical)
Hairspray is a musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman and a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on the 1988 John Waters film Hairspray. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues...
).