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It is with pride that Tilmos Productions offers TOUCHING WOOD, the debut CD release from Christian artist Mike Patton. A successful blend of Biblical truths and rockin' energy, with respectful, yet innovative, homage paid to tradition, TOUCHING WOOD stands as a heartfelt testament to the power and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. As all instruments and vocals are performed by the artist, save for some choral harmonies by Carla Patton (Mike's dear wife) and a guest appearance by drummer Jay Tilley on track 9, this exciting self-produced CD is truly a personal statement. Each song, whether an original (six of the ten tracks) or a carefully chosen "cover", aspires without exception to the standards set forth by the great musicmakers of the past. Having come into this world one month before Elvis Presley's legendary Sun sessions, Mike's lifelong love of Rock'n'Roll and Gospel seemed predestined! Raised in a small town in West Virginia, Patton displayed a gift for music practically right out of the cradle. Instinctively drawn to any nearby phonograph or radio, Mike quickly soaked up the sounds emanating from the tiny speakers of the day, his already acute ear filtering out the chaff and retaining the wheat. Early favorites, in addition to "The King", included Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, and doo wop. At home, gospel records were plentiful, and young Michael would play them repeatedly, with Presley's "How Great Thou Art" and "His Hand In Mine" lp's making the deepest impression. Then suddenly, The Beatles hit, and that was it! His life forever changed, Patton forked over his paper-route savings for a Sears electric guitar and proceeded to learn every George Harrison lick his tiny fingers could manage. With the British Invasion and America's response to it dominating the airwaves, Mike fully embraced this new music that he somehow felt was all his. Temporarily shelving "my folks' music" (which he would later enthusiastically reclaim, discovering artists such as Charlie Feathers and Little Willie John along the way), he started forming bands with schoolmates who shared his tastes. Rough, but passionate, renditions of songs by "The Fab Four", The Stones, The Who, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Roy Orbison, The Yardbirds, various garage bands, and other top acts could be heard all over the neighborhood. As junior high approached, Patton was hit hard by Motown, Stax/Volt, Mucsle Shoals, and Chicago soul, as well as the ever-changing rock scene, which now featured Cream, The Band, Hendrix, The Doors, CCR, the Frisco and blues-revivalist bands et al. Throughout high school Mike explored blues, country, and jazz, and dug even deeper into the music of rock's pioneers. His education having come full circle, and drawing fresh inspiration from new heroes Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, The Carters, Bill Monroe, Satchmo, Sinatra, Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Miles Davis and the like, he began to develop a distinct sound of his own, honing his chops by playing in numerous rock, country, and blues bands, usually featured as lead singer and guitarist. "My performing skills got better and better with each group," he observes, "but, try as I would, I could never get a grip on songwriting during my club-hopping years." That all changed, Patton says, when, on September 28, 1995, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. "Eight years later," he continues, "through positively Providential circumstances, I received a request from Steve Fox, an old school acquaintance, to supply guitar parts for some Christian songs that he had written and recorded, one of which he graciously allowed me to re-record and include in this set! As work progressed, I marveled at what a fine songwriter Steve had become, and it inspired me to try again to write my own. For musical settings, I utilized all that I had learned from years of listening and playing, but for lyrics, I relied entirely on the Lord's wisdom, and respectfully requested, through prayer, that He provide the message for each tune. To my surprise, complete, fully realized songs began to appear! In hindsight, it is no surprise at all; at last I understand that Almighty God has had a plan for me all along, that being to help spread the Good News of His eternal love and grace, sprinkled with hard facts concerning the inevitable pitfalls that inflict those who choose to associate with "The Adversary" (guess who?). While this danger is very real, this CD is a celebration, a proclamation of victory, and not at all a collection of ominous dirges. Jesus wasn't sent to cause despair; rather, His Divine Mission was, and is, to eradicate it. Hope and peace are His gifts, and it is my prayer that my music will in some small way encourage listeners to accept these remarkable gifts, as I have, and that lives will truly be 'forever changed', as mine has!" Patton further states that, while the above-mentioned artists, and many more, contributed invaluable musical instruction, and great friends, including Carla, brother Greg, and Mr. Fox, pushed him into action, "It is the love of the Living Christ that sustains my soul with continuous and bountiful nourishment; therefore, it is in His honor alone that TOUCHING WOOD is presented." After nearly 50 years of dues-paying, Mike Patton has finally arrived...praise God for His patience! Track List: 1. YOU TOOK MY PLACE (Patton) 2. JESUS IS LOVE (Patton) 3. ALL I NEED TO KNOW (Patton) 4. SEEKING YOUR FACE (Patton) 5. PEACE IN THE VALLEY (Dorsey) 6. AIN'T GOD GOOD! (Patton) 7. HOMELESS (Patton) 8. IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL (Spafford-Bliss) 9. SON OF GOD (Fox) 10. WAYFARING STRANGER (Traditional) Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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