Michael J Tinker is a multi-faceted musician.
Michael has been sharing the good news of Jesus with children around the world for well over a decade. Based in Somerset, England, he brings together drama and song to teach the deep and wonderful truths of the Bible to all ages.
Though he primarily does this through live shows and music, he is also a published author, has starred in an audio drama podcast (written by BBC comedy writer, James Cary), written and acted in a 6-episode live-action ‘TV’ show (available on Amazon and Youtube), voiced audio books and is part of the Rabbit Room team that runs the annual HutchmootUK arts conference.
Michael has done extensive work among children with additional needs, including a year long musical residency at a SEND school in Sheffield, England.
Michael is passionate about giving children the gospel-vocabulary to help them navigate the joys and struggles of life with Jesus at the centre of their lives.
Delivered with “guitar-plucking [that] evokes the celestial qualities of a harp” (Sheffield Telegraph) and even solo voice, his songs will make you think, laugh and maybe even shed a tear.
Since going pro in 2011, Michael has released 10 albums. He has supported the likes of Bellowhead, Martin Simpson, Ewan McLennan and the Albion Band, has performed with BBC Folk Award nominees Katriona Gilmore and Damien O’Kane and worked with folk-legend Bill Leader. 2014 also saw the release of his major project ‘Songs for the Voiceless’ (4**** The Guardian, R2, The Telegraph, Maverick Magazine) bringing together multiple award winning folk musicians for a collection of stories from World War One.
After touring his folk music, primarily with folk-trio Bright Season, Michael turned to focus on his music for children, releasing 7 albums, audio dramas, a ‘TV’ series, books and more. In 2023 Michael returned to writing music for a more grown-up audience and released his 10th studio album entitled ‘When There Are No Words’ – an honest and raw reflection on grief and hope in light of his own Dad’s death in 2021. In December 2025 he released a follow up album ‘Standing at the Corner of the Universe’. Michael has toured around the world in both hemispheres.
Michael’s current repertoire consists of stories from the road of life, not shying away from the struggles but leaning into hope.
As well as playing music Michael is on the organising team of the Rabbit Room’s Hutchmoot UK and also contributes through seminars, performances and running the sound.
Michael is a committed Christian and his faith plays a central role in all his music making, even if the songs are not always explicitly about God. “We’re created to be creators” says Michael. “Every time we create – whether it’s a piece of music, a work of art, a landscaped garden or even a pie – we reflect the one who made us and what we were made for – that’s why it feels so good!”