Renowned folk icon Tom Paxton said, “Two years ago, I told Michelle that I thought she had the gift. I am changing ‘thought’ to ‘know.’” Michelle Held has established herself as a cornerstone of the Michigan music scene with her emotionally resonant live performance and lyrical talent, earning her three consecutive Honorable Mentions in the prestigious Telluride Troubadour Contest. In November of 2023, Held made her long-awaited recording debut with the release of “The World Moves On,” a pandemic-inspired reflection on life’s fragile yet resilient nature, alongside a beautiful hand-drawn animated video. “This song presents a few opportunities for Michelle to share her memorably one-of-a-kind warble, a vocal texture that helps secure a spot in the listener’s memory and sets her apart from other singer-songwriters in and beyond the folk genre,” writes Geoff Wilbur’s Music Blog. Held is a gentle, thoughtful presence that offers listeners a warm space to appreciate beautiful vocals and genuine heartfelt narratives.