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Michael Frank
During the course of hanging out in a
lot of blues bars, Michael discovered that many blues musicians who had
made great records in the past were underrepresented in getting decent
musical jobs and in making new records. So, starting in 1973 he began
playing the harmonica with David "Honeyboy" Edwards as a duo and in a
four piece blue band, managing and booking Honeyboy as well. He also
booked and managed guitarist Jim Brewer until Jim died in May, 1989.
Starting in 1976, the Honeyboy Edwards Blues Band played numerous
Chicago and U.S. clubs, colleges, and festivals. including Elsewhere,
B.L.U.E.S., University Of Illinois, and Chicago Blues Festival (three
times), as well as festivals in Canada.
In 1978, Michael Frank started the
Earwig Music Company to record and book underrepresented blues
musicians and to assist these artists in furthering their careers. The
label has released 57 blues, jazz, gospel, and storytelling recordings,
and produced for other labels also. Michael and his Earwig staff have
also produced numerous concerts and club tours, featuring revues of
various artists on the label and other lesser known musicians. He is a
member of the Blues Foundation Advisory Board and the National Academy
of Recording Arts And Sciences (NARAS). He is available for lectures on
the blues, and on the music business. He holds a Master of Social Work
Degree. In 2008 Michael received The Blues
Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive Award as Artist Manager
of Honeyboy Edwards.
Though the Honeyboy Edwards Blues Band
disbanded in 1985 due to the ill health of two members, Michael Frank
and Honeyboy Edwards have carried on, playing clubs and festivals
around the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and South America. In March 2005
Michael left child welfare to devote all his energy to increasing Mr.
Edwards’ tour opportunities. He and Honeyboy Edwards have
performed over 75 shows each year since then, over a wide geographic
territory. Honeyboy, at age 93, is one of the last first generation
blues musicians still active and touring. Michael's role with Honeyboy
includes that of harmonica accompanist, manager, booking agent and
biographer. He is a co-author of Honeyboy oral history, The World
Don’t Owe Me Nothing. In performance, Michael plays
harmonica on part of the show, and facilitates Honeyboy's regaling the
audience with his true-life blues tales.
Press
Magic City Blues - Interview (Jun - Sep '08)
WBEZ - Audio Interview (July 2, 2009)
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