Biography

And now for the long version...

By now you obviously know the name and that Michael plays guitar.

Michael's background through college is electronics minor and music major with studies applied towards a Bachelor of Science in Music in Secondary Education. The electronics degree studies helped land repair jobs at local music stores. The music studies helped land a teaching job.

He is currently working with the band, 'M82' and writing a new book tentatively titled 'Secrets Backstage, Getting The Most From Your Equipment'.

'M82' was a working live band focusing on progressive forms of rock... STP, Yes, Peter Gabriel, Styx, Jethro Tull, Toto....

'Walking Stick' has completed and released their first album. Rehearsals for the second album are under way. 'Walking Stick' has given Michael the opportunity to work with some talented individuals like Ken Paulakovich, who has produced and worked with bands such as 'Offspring' and 'Gloria Estefan'. Michael was called in as a 'hired-hand' replacement for their departing guitarist. ( I want to take some time to thank each one of them for having asked me to be part of the journey. It has been great fun. MF)

'Nova' is a project envisioned by Anthony Glise. It is a combination of classical, electric, and acoustic guitars in a 'new age' improvisational setting. Several guest artists have been participating in the project also. Recording is now finished and the CD is released. Those sessions produced a CD, a video, and published works. A link to the Nova project is listed above.
Nova continues on with recording and live dates throughout the US and Europe.

Over the years and while in college, Michael had the opportunity to study with many wonderfully talented musicians including Dr. F. Matt Gilmour, Guitarist Phil Beard, Violinist Roberta Reimer, Guitarist Steve Morse, Flamenco Guitarist Carlos Montoya, and Classical Guitarist Anthony Glise, who also happens to be one of Michael's very best friends. The studies continue...... (As Anthony says, "'Practice makes perfect' is an ancient lie invented by a non-musician.")

Michael joined his first real working band, while still in high school, in 1974, 'Dry Ice'. The band worked for 4 years as one of the most popular St. Joseph / Kansas City local area bands. Although 'Dry Ice' never cut an album, they did have many original tunes and several live tapes have survived the years.

He was then involved in the formation of a 'power trio' by the name of 'Crown'. The band worked hard through the Midwest for small amounts of money, taking every job that came along just so they could play. 'Crown' lasted shortly over a year but as Michael puts it, " I learned so much about what it means to actually be a 'guitarist' in a band." 'Crown' was his first traveling band. The band would drive an insane number of miles, put in hours and hours of work setting up and tearing down, and still not be able to pay the heat bill. A few originals were written but very little of 'Crown' survives today except for the lessons learned.

Later, after working on his music degree in college, he worked in Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, and Omaha as a studio musician. Those studio sessions resulted in a call from a band called 'Plain Label'.

'Plain Label' recorded and released their first album to great reviews and lots of airplay; however, it was short lived. The band lasted less than a year and the second album was never released.

Sometime around 1979, Michael received a call from the band 'Ariel' offering the position of guitarist / violinist. 'Ariel' did plenty of cover tunes and after a few months, had worked around to original material. 'Plain Label' was the first band that Michael started exploring the different types of guitars and 'Ariel' allowed him to expand on that by experimenting with different guitars and different instruments in a live situation. (Nowadays, I can't even go to a job without at least two electrics, a steel, and an acoustic.MF)

'Ariel' made several television appearances and opened for some major acts, such as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Strange Daze, 38 Special and Van Zandt, all through the Midwest. They never managed to get that album released, but did put together a demo tape, several videos, a couple albums worth of original material, lots of studio time, and many live tapes survive to this day.

Towards the end of 'Ariel's' time, they were booked on a Canadian tour for six weeks and then on to open the East Coast / Midwest shows for 'Shooting Star', beginning in the Bahamas.

After 'Ariel's' demise, Michael put his guitar away and concentrated on violin. That lasted for a year. The bug was too big to ignore, and he found himself involved with a band called
'X-Static'. They played together for 5 years and became a large draw in the area, opening for several large acts including 'Head East'.
'X-Static' morphed into 'City' and fell apart 8 months later.

In 1995, he received a call from L.A. from a band called 'Blackout'. Their guitarist had quit the band suddenly and they were booked that week in several clubs on 'The Strip', including The Troubadour. A tape was sent Fed-Ex the next day and he was on plane that afternoon. Because of other business that morning, there was no opportunity to listen to anything until he was actually on the plane. Picked up at LAX, he was immediately rushed to rehearsal to run through guitar parts with the band's bassist. Several hours later the pair drove off in search of Jed Clampett's mansion. The next day was back to the rehearsal hall for a few hours. Before he knew it, they were about to go on stage. The whole experience was a whirlwind. It was fun and exciting. He met some talented players and was offered several jobs. (None of them panned out but were fun nevertheless. MF)

After that experience (and back home), Michael passed through several bands including an early 'Under the Influence' and 'Swift Kick.'

In 1997 he became part of 'Biff Peck and the Slam' which later turned into 'Digger Dan'.

Soon after, the call from 'Walking Stick' came followed by the call from Anthony to work on the Nova Project.

In late 2003, after some personnel and direction changes, Digger Dan was renamed to M82.

M82 folded a few years later and Michael moved
on to a short stint with King Kenna and then
Standing on Nines.

There it is....

Comments, suggestions or questions,
you may email Michael directly at michaelfuson@michaelfuson.com.

In case you are interested...

(Pictured above is a 1963 Les Paul Standard SG. According to Gibson, it was actually built in October, 1962. The guy I bought it from purchased it new in February, 1963. I picked it up in Kansas City in 1978 for the amazing sum of $250.00... with the case. That guitar has appraised at well over $7000.00 today. Not a bad deal. Although it shows lots of playing wear, it is completely original with PAFs except for the original sideways tailpiece which cracked during a show years ago.   MF)

Michael has also been seen using... ~1876 Violin, 1921 Mandolin, 1927 Banjolin, 1972 Artley flute, 1949 Gibson BR-9 lap steel, 1954 Fender lap steel, 1975 Sho-Bud Pedal Steel, 1963 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard, 1965 Gibson SG Jr., 1968 Höfner V-2, 1972 Gibson Les Paul Standard, 1972 Gibson ES-335, 1976 Gibson Firebird, 1983 Alembic Series I Exploiter Bass, 1989 Fender Eric Clapton Strat., 1991 Fender Am. Std. Strat., 1994 Fender Am. Std. Telecaster, 1994 Gibson ES-175D, 1995 Fender Fat Strat, 1998 Parker Fly Classic, 1982 Ovation 12-string, 1996 Taylor 514-C, 1968 Höfner Classical guitar, 1998 Girard #11 Classical guitar, 1970 Orange Graphic 120 head, 1970 Orange 4x12 cabinet, 1974 Marshall Super Lead Heads, 1974 Marshall 1960 A and B cabinets, 1993 Vox AC30TBX, 1994 Marshall JCM 900 head, 1982 Marshall JCM 800, 1985 Mesa Boogie Mark II head, 2000 Gallien-Krueger 700RB/210, 1953 Gibson GA-5 Les Paul Jr. amp.