Michael Fix
Put a guitar into Michael Fix’s hands and the emotional possibilities of music are suddenly released. This remarkable composer and musician has the power to create myriad sensory experiences through his music – it captures and conveys emotions, experiences and images with ease.
Over the past 20 years, he’s released ten albums, together with several singles and EPs, and has established himself as one of Australia’s finest guitarists and composers, performing at festivals across Australia, Europe, and Asia, and writing evocative music for television, film and documentaries.
He’s also won numerous awards for his music, including three Golden Guitars, and, as a Maton guitar endorsee (with his own signature model guitar), his guitar workshops are in high demand all over Australia and internationally. In recent years Michael’s reputation has grown rapidly, with regular invitations to perform at festivals and concerts throughout the world.
Michael began performing in his home town of Wollongong at the age of 12, and in his early twenties moved to Sydney, where he was discovered by the legendary Tommy Emmanuel, who became a mentor to the young guitarist and spent several years teaching and working with him.
Michael’s credentials include acclaimed Sydney band Hat Trick, which he joined in 1985. Hat Trick specialised in eclectic versions of classical and folk pieces, a style that influenced Michael’s own musical development.
From 1991 to 1995 Michael worked with award-winning singer/songwriter Graeme Connors, touring Australia several times as lead guitarist with Connors’ Prodigal Sons band.
During this time, he produced his debut solo album Tantalise and built up a strong following through a succession of solo shows.
In 1999, Michael won his first Instrumental of the Year Golden Guitar from the CMAA for “Mr Wonglepong”. He repeated the win in 2000 with “Walkin’ the Walk” and again in 2003 with “Mulga Dan”, joining Keith Urban with the highest-ever tally of Instrumental Golden Guitars. His distinctive, eclectic yet accessible style has made him a popular performer at guitar, jazz, blues, folk, and country music festivals. He has toured with artists such as Albert Lee, Christine Anu, and Anne Murray, and appeared alongside Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel, and Martin Taylor at festivals in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
On Australia Day 1997, Michael opened the Gift to a Nation concert, performing “Classical Gas” with Tommy Tycho’s orchestra before 150,000 people, broadcast live nationwide on the Seven Network.
Michael regularly presents guitar workshops, sharing both his expertise and his original music. He believes music is a gift to be shared and has often used it to help others. In 1995, he wrote “Bush Bash” to raise funds for the Variety Club of Australia. In 2002, after the death of country guitarist Barry Thornton, he recorded Remembering Barry Thornton, a fundraising EP for Barry’s family, which included the single “Mulga Dan”, winning him his third Instrumental of the Year Golden Guitar and the 2003 Victorian Country Music Award for Instrumental.
Recognition of his extraordinary talents has led to sponsorship deals with Maton Guitars, D’Addario Strings, and AER amplification.
