Michael Kirkpatrick

Solo Artist // Violet Pilot // Pickin' On The Dead // Uptown Toodeloo

“Michael Kirkpatrick has the voice of an anthropomorphic brontosaurus that has popped out of a children's book to teach kids about the dangers of playing with matches” - The Scene Magazine

Michael Kirkpatrick, Colorado-based singer, songwriter, and producer blends elements of acoustic fingerstyle and folk rock to cradle lush songscapes in a fuzzy paradoxical blanket of sunshine and fog. With a voice that ranges from a quiet rumble to powerful mountain-top exclamation, Michael's passionate vocals bring to life lyrics about dreams, sensuality, and reverence for nature.

With over 30 years of experience on stage, Michael has toured extensively and won multiple awards for his songwriting, including the prestigious Telluride Troubadour award. His rich baritone voice, guitar and mandolin playing embracing an eclectic approach, and absurdly earnest storytelling have established him as a versatile and talented performer with a loyal audience. Michael currently tours as a soloist, as the front man for the Neo-psychedelic New-Wave Americana band Violet Pilot and the Grateful Dead tribute act Pickin’ On The Dead.

Throughout his career, Michael has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music, including Zac Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Sam Bush, Billy Valentine, Sonny Charles, Jim Belushi, Darol Anger, Greensky Bluegrass, Brian Nova, Leftover Salmon, and many others. He has received numerous accolades for his music, including the "Best Colorado Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album of 2013" from the Colorado Sound Fan Poll for his album "Key to My Cage," and six consecutive "Best Singer-Songwriter" awards from the Fort Collins Musicians Association. In 2019, he was honored with the FoCoMA Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2022, he released the highly anticipated debut album by Violet Pilot, "Glad We Found You. Michael’s latest album “Away-O,” an album of solo voice and fingerstyle guitar will be released in January 2024.