Michael Gardner

Michael Gardner

Guitar/Vocals

If you ask Michael Gardner his earliest memories, he won't recall for you birthday candles or Christmas stockings. He'll tell you
about Chet Atkins. And he'll tell you that while older cousins dashed for the open field to choose sides when his uncles took a
break from picking and singing at family gatherings, he would sneak back inside to touch their guitars. The guitars were
calling him.

At around twelve he took up a Silvertone acoustic forsaken by an older brother. And at fourteen he was ready for electric
music. He'd been offered a bass man's spot in a local soul band. The departing member made him a deal on a bass, (a Domino
electric, and with the aid of a file had been converted into a bass). So all he needed was an amp. He didn't know how to
approach his father for the money, but with Chet's "Yellow Bird" in accompaniment he ventured the question. His father was
digging Chet. "You learn to play that and I'll buy you an amp, " he said. Four days later Michael was rehearsing Otis Redding,
Aretha Franklin, Same and Dave and Sly and the Family Stone with that local band.

Michael's ease in adapting and embracing divergent musical styles has always been a mark of his talent. But he's never been
one for quick fix fads. His soul roots evolved in the 70's with second generation blues artists like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton,
Johnny Winter and Duane Allman. Later he sharpened his technical skills in fusion bands that played Chick Corea, George
Duke, and Santana where he learned about harmony and theory through self study and by working with Kenny Hareston
(Keyboardist for Cindi Lauper).

By the late 70's Michael had seen a bit of the county, and the world. Upon arriving in London after an overseas tour for
American kids in Saudi Arabia, he me KK Black, a singer who was making a name for himself on the English pop and new wave
scene. The two teamed up but soon decided that Los Angeles, not London, was the place to be. While waiting in LA for
immigration officials to clear Black, Michael worked hard writing new material. But he had never been as influenced by new
wave as Black, and LA's new wave scene was even less inspiring than London's. So not long after Black arrived the two
decided to make an amiable split.

But the songs Michael had written brought him in touch with his rock-n-roll sensibilities, and together with Pee Wee Watson
and Kenny Soule, Formed PKM in 1981.

On stage PKM packs a musical punch of unparalled power, foot stomping punch with sing-a long melodies. You've never seen
three players rock like these guys. But if you want to see the group's true virtuosity, look for them at one of Dean Markley's
clinics, where Michael, Pee Wee and Kenny play their unique brand of rock and talk about their instruments and how they
used them.

Michael continues to write for the band, and most of the material on PKM's debut album, Rock Erotica, was written by him.
Rock Erotica seems a long way from Chet Atkins, or Sam and Dave, or Duane Allman, or Return to Forever. And it is. After all
this is the 1980's. But Michael has learned from each and made that learning his own. Besides, Chet can tell you that it doesn't
have to be pretentious; Sam and Dave can tell you that music is feeling; Duane can tell you about touch and Chick about
technique.

Michael Gardner can tell you what it's like to have it in your bones.

Bands Michael Has Opened for in his 42 years as a professional Musician Include the Following:

BOB SEAGAR, STEPPENWOLFE, EDGAR WINTER, CHEAP TRICK, STEVIE RAY VAUGH, BLUE OYSTER CULT, GREG KILN BAND,
ROBIN TOMPSON BAND, LEON RUSSELL, OZZIE OSBORNE, JOAN JETT, REOSPEEDWAGON, FOREIGNER, MOTHER'S FINEST,
LITTLE FEAT, STRIPER, WET WILLEY, .38 SPECIAL, PLAYED ON STAGE WITH CHARLEY DANIELS BAND AS A MEMBER ON THE
STEVE WALSH BAND (KANSAS) , GEORGE THOROGOOD, MARSHALL TUCKER, SPIDER, MITCH EASTER, REM B-52'S.

Michael is still very active in the music industry not only as a lead guitar player in several local bands but mostly as a highly
regarded music producer in Raleigh, NC and Myrtle Beach SC.

**More of Michael's past and recent accomplishments!**

Michael Gardner's Bio

PKM