Musicians that decide to go the solo route, all by their looooooooooooooonesome, are deserving of respect just for the sake of displaying the confidence it takes to share their creativity and talents to make good things happen. Solo acts have to deal with huge expectations ranging from thousands of folks in a big venue looking to catch the best version ever of their favorite songs or simply being the focus of fifteen people in a small club with strings of Christmas lights as the stage lighting. This all comes down to one musician doing their best for all the folks within earshot and Michael McFarland does his damnedest to be there with each song; all without the aid of a lip sinking pussy cat on a huge video screen as back drop, wearing panties made out of a Michael Jordan uniform, twerking or overly exaggerated tongue twirling. Appreciate that aspect of Michael McFarland. Plus, there are lyrics dealing with lighthouses, making the next move to get where you want to be, loves lost and new loves to be found and the Appalachian Mountains. Michael McFarland, a self described writer, biker, rocker and geek, comes to you out of Asheville, North Carolina.  By playing each instrument, writing, producing, engineering, mixing and mastering his album, A Failed Breakup, Michael displays his multiple dimensions of talent with five tracks.  When many in our society are selfishly deciding to occupy this or that rather than minding their manners and handling their own affairs or expect someone to do everything for them plus receive money given freely; it is good to know that some folks still rely on a personal work ethic to attain their own goals and hold tight to their sense of being an individual.  Appreciate that aspect of Michael McFarland.To put you in the ballpark of Michael’s sound, here is a track by track snapshot:

1. Sit and Wait                  Think Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.
2. Stay                             A peppy Simon and Garfunkel tune. 
3. Remember Me              Similar to a soulful Neil Young ballad.
4. A Failed Break Up         Think Bare Naked Ladies reggae-ing things up a bit.
5. Lighthouse                    A Jackson Browne/James Taylor lovelorn ballad

As for any of us getting out as a solo performer in whatever ventures, professions or hobbies we choose, let us all go ahead and dew a little extra.  Be it Eminem in Lose Yourself, “Lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it. You better never let it go! You only get one shot.   Do not miss your chance to blow because opportunity comes once in a lifetime! YOOOOOOOOOO!” or our own beloved Bobby Weir rolling off Truckin’ lyric’s for the ages; “One of these days they know they gotta be going. Out of the door and down on the streets all alone.”  It is all about extending yourself, at times uncomfortably, to where your desires and joys are waiting for you. Yall scared?  Michael McFarland ain’t so if for no reasons other than his talent, courage and sense of handling his own business; spend $10 less dollars on beer or herbal supplements next week and hook this brother up.