In the late 1980s, the Texas-born artist scored a Top 10 - Adult Contemporary hit with his song, Dawning on a New Day. His music, which had been known only at a handful of alternative stations, was being featured on national TV and played on radio stations. He began headlining major theaters, the Greek and Universal Amphitheaters in LA, The Paramount in Denver, Wolftrap in Washington DC, and many others. From the very first, his following was loyal and passionate. However, Tomlinson was still unable to place an album in Billboard's Top 200 LP chart, nor was he able to place another single on the charts after 1988.
By his fourth release it seemed clear that a very successful career was being launched, but behind the scenes the artist was growing weary of the corporate music world. In the early 1990s,Tomlinson decided that he'd had enough. Surprising his fans and many in radio, he walked away from it all. In an almost unheard of move, he challenged his record label and regained ownership of all his music, reclaiming full rights to all his publishing, master recordings and copyrights. He then returned to his home in Seattle to start his own small label: Desert Rain.
From that time on he began to fashion a satisfying life, an ongoing process in which he has been merging his music and personal life into a collection of stories (there has been a long-promised book) and easy-going yet poinginant lyriced songs. However, critical response to his albums began to erode and the radio airplay virtually disappeared. Tomlinson never attained the status or adoration of Fogelberg or James Taylor, but he continued to record. Unfortunately, by the mid 1990s, Tomlinson had fallen from the national stage and mainly continued as a regional draw in the Seattle area. Still, his regional concerts and intimate retreats assured he keeps pulse with his loyal fans.
Tomlinsion frequently mentions his personal satisfaction of his life/career choice in his online "Rambling" missives/blog.
Michael still lives in Seattle, where he continues to make music and add to his tongue-in-cheek website blog. In 2008, he will be releasing a new, studio CD release (anticipated drop date: late August). To fuel his self-supported recording efforts, he solicits corporate and personal sponsorships, gives private and public concerts, and initiates his own "Gathering of Friends" retreats. He also attempts to sell his used guitars online, asking for sponsors to fuel his fading career. To further support himself and his increasingly obscure recording efforts, he has pre-sold his memoir book and continues to sell his entire library of music on his website (www.michaeltomlinson.com).
1985 - Run This Way Forever
1987 - Still Believe
1989 - Face Up in the Rain
1991 - Living Things
1995 - Calling Me Back to the Wild
1996 - At Your House (solo acoustic)
1998 - Trace the Sky
2000 - Watching the Storm Roll In (solo acoustic)
2003 - Standing in Troublesome Creek (solo acoustic)
2005 - Friendship and Goodwill (compilation)
