John Michael Presney
- Actor
A singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Chicago, IL, John
Michael is best known for his work with the national tour of the
Broadway show, "Million Dollar Quartet." John Michael started writing
songs at a young age and ventured into performing full steam, but was
never satisfied with just one outlet and began building an acting
career as well as one in music. He attended multiple fine arts colleges
where he honed his craft as a professional, but the structure left him
feeling tied down. His unwillingness to succumb to types and genres
helped him forge his own path through the world of conservatory arts
training and emerge with a new agenda. After leaving theatre school,
and with the knowledge that the only path he could take was to make
music on his own terms, he began the long process of writing what would
be his debut record. But things have a funny way of working and he was
cast in the First National Tour of the Tony Award winning Broadway
musical "Million Dollar Quartet" (about the eponymous event) portraying
the father of rockabilly, Carl Perkins. With Million Dollar Quartet,
John Michael had the opportunity to play his guitar and sing across the
world for thousands of people. He has spent nights drinking whiskey and
recording at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis; soaking in its soul.
He has worked alongside and learned from some of the fathers and giants
of Rock and Roll. He has been seen on national as well as international
t.v. The show provided him the opportunity to play rock and roll music
on a scale that most can only dream of. Having taken the opportunity to
write in hotel rooms across the world, John Michael released his debut
record, "The Nighttime and the Dawn." It was recorded in Beverly Hills,
CA with J.D. Andrews (The Rolling Stones, Kanye West) at Billy Bob
Thornton's legendary home studio, "The Cave." The record is genre
spanning and directly influenced by his nights on the road in strange
cities and beds. Fueled by heartbreak and liquor, it features his
explosive band and guest strings by Jessy Greene (Wilco, The Foo
Fighters). Whether with his full band or by himself, plugged in and
turned up or acoustic and intimate, his performances and songs speak
loudly. The choruses soar and the guitar sings. Always engaging, his
powerful songs speak to the romantic in all of us. John Michael
continues to act frequently, but his main focus is his music.