- Michael Peterson (singer)
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Michael Peterson 
Michael Peterson performing aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, December 2005Background information Birth name Michael James Peterson Born August 7, 1959 [1] Origin Richland, Washington, USA Genres Country Occupations Singer-songwriter Instruments Vocals, Acoustic guitar Years active 1997–present Labels Reprise, Monument Associated acts Robert Ellis Orrall, Josh Leo Website http://www.michaelpetersonmusic.com/ Michael James Peterson (born August 7, 1959) is an American country music artist. He made his debut on the country music scene in 1997 with his self-titled debut album, which produced five Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, including the Number One hit "From Here to Eternity". Peterson's second album, 1999's Being Human, produced two more chart singles, and a third album, 2004's Modern Man, was issued only in Europe.
Contents
Biography
Michael Peterson was born in Tucson, Arizona on August 7, 1959.[1] At an early age, he was influenced by the music that his grandmother listened to, such as Cole Porter and Roger Miller.[2]
After attending high school at Richland High School in Richland, WA, Peterson later earned a football scholarship to Pacific Lutheran University, where he won a national championship.[2] One of his teammates, Brad Westering, was also working as a producer for Deniece Williams at the time. Eventually, Peterson traveled to Nashville, Tennessee where he started working as a professional songwriter, collaborating with other writers such as Josh Leo and Robert Ellis Orrall.
Michael Peterson
Orrall suggested that Peterson sign to a recording contract, and in December 1996, Peterson was signed to Reprise Records, a division of the Warner Music Group. His debut single, "Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie", was released that year, charting at #3 on the Billboard country charts and #86 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the lead-off single to Peterson's self-titled debut album, which also produced four more chart singles. The second one, "From Here to Eternity", became Peterson's first and only Number One hit, while "Too Good to Be True" reached #8. Following it were "When the Bartender Cries" at #37 and "By the Book" at #19. The album was certified gold by the RIAA for shipping 500,000 copies in the U.S. Also in 1997, Peterson was named Male Artist of the Year by Billboard.[3]
Being Human
Peterson released his second album, Being Human, in 1999.[2] Its lead-off single, "Somethin' 'bout a Sunday", failed to reach top 40, and "Sure Feels Real Good" peaked at #39. Also in 1999, Peterson co-wrote the title track to Travis Tritt's album No More Looking over My Shoulder, which was released as a single. After a Super Hits album for the label, Peterson exited Warner Music Group.
Modern Man
After his departure from Warner, Peterson signed to Monument Records Nashville. His third studio album, Modern Man, was to have been released in 2002 for the label. Although its title track and "Lesson in Goodbye" both entered the country charts (with the former being the highest-debuting single of his career[3]), the album itself was not issued in the US due to a restructuring of the label's parent company.[3] AGR, a European record label, acquired the album and issued it in Europe in 2004.[3] Six singles were released from it in Europe, including Peterson's own rendition of "No More Looking over My Shoulder." Also included on the album was the track "Right About Now", which Ty Herndon later released from his 2007 album of the same name.
Discography
Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)US Country US US
HeatCAN Country Michael Peterson - Release date: July 15, 1997
- Label: Reprise Records
17 115 2 13 - US: Gold
Being Human - Release date: June 8, 1999
- Label: Reprise Records
32 — 20 — Modern Man - Release date: 2004
- Label: AGR
— — — — Down on the Farm - Release date: 2006
- Label: Midnight Music
— — — — In Black - Release date: 2007
- Label: self-released
— — — — Grave to the Cradle - Release date: 2008
- Label: Beyond Music
— — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart Compilation albums
Title Album details Super Hits - Release date: May 16, 2000
- Label: Warner Bros. Nashville
Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Album US Country US CAN Country 1997 "Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie" 3 86 2 Michael Peterson "From Here to Eternity" 1 — 11 1998 "Too Good to Be True" 8 — 5 "When the Bartender Cries" 37 — 31 1999 "By the Book" 19 101 22 "Somethin' 'bout a Sunday" 45 — 77 Being Human "Sure Feels Real Good" 39 — 38 2002 "Modern Man" 44 — * Modern Man "Lesson in Goodbye" 58 — * "—" denotes releases that did not chart
* denotes unknown peak positionsMusic videos
Year Video Director 1997 "Drink, Swear, Steal & Lie" Tim Hamilton "From Here to Eternity" Steven Goldmann 1998 "Too Good to Be True" "When the Bartender Cries" chris rogers 1999 "Sure Feels Real Good"[4] David Hogan 2002 "Modern Man"[5] Steven Goldmann References
- ^ a b "Michael Peterson biography". MusicianGuide.com. http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608002825/Michael-Peterson.html. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ^ a b c Bush, John. "Michael Peterson biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p215682. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
- ^ a b c d "Michael Peterson biography". Michael Peterson official website. http://www.michaelpetersonmusic.com/about/index.aspx. Retrieved 2009-03-30.[dead link]
- ^ "CMT : Videos : Michael Peterson : Sure Feels Real Good". http://www.cmt.com/videos/michael-peterson/385464/sure-feels-real-good.jhtml. Retrieved 2011-04-17.
- ^ "Modern Man - Michael Peterson". Vevo. http://www.vevo.com/watch/michael-peterson/modern-man/USSM20301729. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1959 births
- American country singers
- American country singer-songwriters
- American male singers
- Musicians from Arizona
- Living people
- People from Tucson, Arizona
- Reprise Records artists
- Pacific Lutheran University alumni
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