AUGUST 29, 2011 - MICHAEL Z CUMMINGS grew up in Boston surrounded by music. The deep bluesy sounds of LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS, BROONZY, SON HOUSE and MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT oozed through the cracks of his brother’s room. The street performances, live gigs and public performances by the students at Berklee, Boston Conservatory and New England Conservatory were a constant happening. From CD’s of BOB DYLAN, DOC WATSON, ROLLING STONES, THE BEATLES and JAMES BROWN as well as the classical guitar of ANDRES SEGOVIA were listened to, synthesized and memorized. This is why MICHAEL picked up a guitar and just started playing. MICHAEL began playing Electric Rhythm Guitar with a flat pick in garage bands and later began playing Classical guitar, Ragtime, and Country finger- pickin’, and became very influenced by the banjo playing of EARL SCRUGGS. MICHAEL eventually blended his love for poetry, storytelling and guitar to create his original compositions. Becoming a singer/songwriter was about connecting emotionally with listeners. To him it was about becoming less of a guitarist and more of a storyteller and observer. MICHAEL’s humble demeanor makes him a musician who moves listeners to reflection and this is evidenced by his latest release 'STORYTELLER'.