My guest in this episode is Michael Elliott a DJ, radio exec, writer and a man who has overcome a lot of adversity to get to a better place today.
He lives in Raleigh NC and is a southerner born and bred with all the challenges and contradictions that brings. An only child he was born with cataracts in both eyes and was partially blind until the age of 50. He grew up surrounded by a music loving family and imagination and creativity were his best friends. He developed an interest in radio at an early age and used to sit in on the morning show at his local station which led to a career of almost 30 years in radio, spanning being a live DJ through to senior management.
In 2012, after long term challenges with alcohol he found sobriety which continues to this day despite several subsequent life changing challenges.
During this period, he also met the love of his life Liz who he is now happily married to. Liz encouraged him to pursue his passion for music and writing and he is now a contributor to the pioneering roots music authority No Depression and his writing has also appeared in PopMatters, Americana UK, Albumism, and The Bitter Southerner.
He has interviewed and produced profiles on musicians as diverse as Isaac Hayes, Charlie Daniels, Little Richard, Kurt Vile and Daniel Lanois. In September 2021 he published the critically acclaimed biography of John Hiatt entitled “Have A Little Faith’ with a foreword by Elvis Costello.
Do please look at Michael’s website https://michael-elliott.com/ where you will find numerous plaudits for his book from people such as Bonnie Raitt, Rosanne Cash and Rodney Crowell.
Michael’s song choices were:
· 70’s - East Bound and Down Jerry Reed
· 80’s - Sweetheart Like You Bob Dylan
· 90’s - Buffalo River Home John Hiatt
· 00’s - Get Ur Freak On Missy Elliott
· 10’s - Drunk In Love Beyonce (feat. Jay-Z)
· 20’s - I Don’t Live Here Anymore The War on Drugs (feat. Lucius)
Enjoy !
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