Paul Mirkovich

Paul Mirkovich (born on March 20, 1963) is a Los Angeles native, and has been the band leader, keyboardist and duet singing partner for Cher for the last 16 years. He has also been the band director for Janet Jackson and Anastasia and a member of the multi-platinum bands Whitesnake and Nelson (band). Paul has also performed and recorded with Peter Gabriel and Shawn Colvin, among many others. Paul and the House Band toured the United States with Paul Stanley (from KISS) in October/November 2006 as well as Australia in April 2007.

Musical Director of the Rock Star House Band

Paul received a call from the music producer of Rock Star, Clyde Lieberman, and was asked to audition for the role of musical director for the show. He competed against 11 other musical directors who had also put bands together (a total of 75 - 80 musicians auditioned). Paul got the gig. Two of his band members, Rafael Moreira (lead guitar) and Sasha Krivtsov (bass), were also hired. Jim McGorman (rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Nate Morton (drums, percussion) were hired from the other auditioning bands.

"Alongside Paul Shaffer, Paul Mirkovich is arguably the most visible keyboardist on the planet. As musical director and keyboard player for the RockStar INXS House Band, Paul is seen no less than three nights a week on primetime TV by millions of viewers. And he makes it look like cake, as he and his ace bandmates springboard from genre to genre with the greatest of ease. But, as you might expect, the gig is anything but smooth behind the scenes. " [cite web|url=http://www.rolandus.com/community/rug/?pg=online_exclusives&art=inxs |author=Greg Rule |title=Paul Mirkovich & His All-Roland Rig |publisher=Roland US - Roland Users Group]

Early Influences

"I don’t remember a specific moment in which I made a conscious decision that music would be it for me. It’s all I’ve ever really known." It started when I was four years old. One day I was watching a cartoon show. I think it was ‘Casper the Ghost’. The theme song stuck in my head. I went over to the piano and started playing it. Over time, I took lessons and got into bee-bop and jazz along the way. Being from Los Angeles, music is simply all around you. Just as the steel mills may be for folks in Pittsburgh… Entertainment and music is for the folks in Los Angeles." " [cite web|url=http://www.rockstargohome.com/rock-star-inxs-paul-mirkovich-leader.php | title=Paul Mirkovich Leads In Front of Millions | publisher=Rock Star Go Home Web Site]

Education

Graduated Providence High School (Burbank, CA) in 1981.
Attended the Dick Grove School of Music. [cite web|url=http://www.rolandus.com/community/rug/?pg=online_exclusives&art=inxs |author=Greg Rule |title=Paul Mirkovich & His All-Roland Rig |publisher=Roland US - Roland Users Group]

References

External links

* [http://www.paulmirkovich.com// Paul Mirkovich Official Web site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/paulmirkovich Paul Mirkovich (MySpace) Web Site]
* [http://www.rockbandlounge.com/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=3699 Paul Mirkovich on ROCKBANDLOUNGE.COM]