Michael J Tinker is a multi-faceted musician.
Michael is probably best known for his Christian music for families. Crossing musical genres he packs his songs full of truth, humour and fun. Michael has released 7 kids albums to date and tours throughout the year bringing the joy and excitement of the Bible to families around the world. As well as travelling around the UK he has recently toured Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
As well as producing music Michael has also starred in an audio drama written by James Cary (to go alongside his 4th kids album ‘Mission to Dendros’), a 6-episode live-action show, has written books, voiced audio books for adults and kids and has his own podcast for families.
Michael has done extensive work in SEND Schools and Care Homes through Live Music Now, including a year long residency at a SEND school in Sheffield, England.
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. He is currently working on a follow-up record, set for release in the winter of 2025. Michael has toured around the world performing shows in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Ireland, the USA and the UK.
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!”