Michael Utley Biography
Michael Utley grew up in Arkansas and was heavily influenced by the sounds of Memphis soul and New Orleans rhythm and blues. During spring break of his senior year at the University of Arkansas, Utley had the opportunity to record with Bill Black’s Combo in Memphis. Then, after Tony Joe White had his hit with “Polk Salad Annie,” Mike was invited to play on his second album. After he graduated from college with a BA in Zoology, Mike moved to Memphis and began working full time as a musician.
In February 1973, after Jimmy Buffett had moved to Key West from Nashville, he heard Utley playing on one of Jerry Jeff Walker’s albums. He liked what he heard and asked Mike to play on his first ABC/Dunhill album A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean. During this time, Utley was touring with Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge and was the musical director of the band Speedway in the movie, A Star is Born. Simultaneously, he began touring with Jimmy and has been with him ever since.
Mr. Utley has recorded with an impressive list of artists including Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave, Brook Benton, Arthur Conley, Ronnie Hawkins, Duane Allman, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Jimmy Cliff, Lulu, Petula Clark, Carmen McRae, Sam “The Sham”, Jackson Browne, Booker T. Jones, John Kay (Steppenwolf) and Jerry Jeff Walker. Utley is also the accomplished producer of eleven albums with Mr. Buffett. Additionally, he produced Roy Orbison’s Greatest Hits album, and was producer/musical director for the Cinemax special, “Black and White Night” with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Tom Waits.
Peter Mayer Biography
True Life Adventure- Peter Mayer
Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Peter Mayer of the Peter Mayer Group, has melded a unique and eclectic writing style, a distinctive voice and virtuoso musicianship to create compelling and accessible music that is electrifying in live performance. Culling influences from his childhood in India that ranged from traditional Indian music to the Beatles, to his studying and teaching Jazz guitar; add his many years working in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, and having the opportunity to share the stage with others that include James Taylor, Mac McAnally, Sonny Landreth, Don Henley and others, and it tells part of the musical story of the Peter Mayer Group.
Peter’s life began in Tamilnadu, the far southern region of India, where his parents served as missionaries for 17 years before returning to their Missouri roots. Musical influences from that period of his life can be heard in his playing. Peter recalls, “I can remember Indian musicians giving Christmas concerts in my parents’ house. Wildly playing drums and flutes, shakers and bells, they would go on for hours and hours.” He went on to study formal theory and composition, and to teach jazz guitar as a faculty member of Webster University.
The Peter Mayer Group boasts between them an extensive performing and songwriting portfolio with experience in any number of styles from jazz to country rock to classical and spiritual. Recording under the name PM, Peter released his debut album for Warner Brothers Records (WB No. 25751) in 1988. Working with Elliott Scheiner (Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Hornsby) – this album produced the single “Piece of Paradise,” charting to number eight on Billboard.
When Scheiner was hired to produce Jimmy Buffett’s Off To See The Lizard album, he suggested that Jimmy use PM for the recording sessions. Buffett was as impressed with their unique versatility as musicians and performers that he quickly hired them as part of his own Coral Reefer Band, a successful relationship that continues to date.
In 2010, the Peter Mayer Group celebrated ten years of “Stars and Promises,” an annual tour of original and traditional Christmas music. These performances are highly praised by audiences, who are inspired by the passionate emotions evoked by attending these concerts.
Goodbye Hello, a recent CD by Peter Mayer and Friends, showcases artistic twists with fresh and creative arrangements of the beloved Beatles music. World class musicians who have contributed their talents to this project are Peter Mayer, Jim Mayer, Roger Guth, Glenn Worf, R. Scott Bryan, Michael Utley, Chris Walters, Mark Holland, Jeff Taylor, Mac McAnally, Jim Feist, Dan Rubright, Nadirah Shakoor, Tina Gullickson, Robert Greenidge, and an array of fantastic strings players. Jimmy Buffett also makes a special appearance on this CD, which receives regular airplay on Sirius XM Radio Margaritaville, the syndicated “Beatles Brunch,” as well as expanding radio audiences in various parts of Europe.
Peter Mayer has the following to say about Under Your Spell, the Group’s latest release: “For three dates in July and August 2011, we recorded the band of musicians that I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with for the past five years. With the sonic palette and stylistic abilities of Scott, Chris, Marc and Maggie, each night has been a new adventure. From time to time we’d be playing on a porch, in a living room or before a show and several of us would remark, ‘this feels really good, we should record this.’ We had been releasing our own sound board CDs after shows for several years, but never had put together a complete set of songs that could be recorded well, mixed and released as a full album. ”
