Michael Caruso | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Anthony Caruso |
| Born | May 23, 1954 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, alternative |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, performer |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Website | MichaelCarusoMusic.com |
Michael Caruso is an American singer-songwriter, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 23, 1954. He studied both music and theatre at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan then later moved to the West Coast where he was employed as a songwriter for Homegrown Music, Geffen Music Group, Sony Music Publishing and Chrysalis Music. He performed as a solo artist and as Frontman for the band "Michael's Disciples".
Caruso's most well-known work "Love Is"[1] was co-written with Tonio K, John Keller; recorded by Vanessa L. Williams with Brian McKnight, and was featured on the Beverly Hills 90210 Soundtrack. It was nominated for a Grammy in the best of R & B vocal category and earned Michael a citation of achievement from BMI for garnering two million broadcast performances. It also rose to Number 1 on the Pop Music Chart and Adult Contemporary Chart in 1993. However, Caruso's career included collaborations with many other artists and writers: co-writes with Tamara Champlin and Dennis Matkosky for Chris LeDoux's "Runaway Love" (that appeared on Billboard's Country Music's Top 40)[2] and Rita Coolidge's Shoo Rah.[3] Caruso's most recorded song was "Guns of Love" (written with Randy Sharp[4] and John Keller) performed by Maura O'Connell, The Moffatts (who performed this on Good Morning America on July 3, 1995, donating proceeds from their release to the families of victims of the Oklahoma City bombing), Pam Rose for her Album " Morpheus", was featured on Grammy Award Winner Kathy Mattea's Album "Roses",[5] by Caruso on his 2011 EP "When The Devil Starts To Pray" and by Randy Sharp on his 2017 Release "Impossible Things".
On "You Won't Get To Heaven Alive" by Tamara Champlin,[6] Caruso was a background vocalist, player on several tracks, co-producer on two, and co-writes included the title track, "Purple Black and Blonde", "St Anne's Wheel" & "Tragic Black" that featured Nicky Hopkins[7] on piano. On Will Champlin's (Finalist for 2013 The Voice) solo projects, Caruso was a co-writer on many songs from "The Goldmine Sessions", his Self Titled "Will Champlin" CD, and his EP "Killing Me With Twilight". He collaborated on Bill Champlin's (formerly of Chicago) solo album "No Place Left To Fall";[8] again penning the title track with Bill and Tamara Champlin and "Tuggin' on Your Sleeve" written with Bill Champlin and Will Champlin. Caruso also co-wrote with Joan Jett and Randy Cantor[9] a cut featuring Joan Jett & the Blackhearts for the Days of Thunder (soundtrack) entitled "Long Live The Night". Later, again as a songwriter, Caruso re-teamed with Tamara Champlin & Dennis Matkosky on a collaboration for Bekka Bramlett "What's on My Mind" that charted on Music Row.[10]
In Episode 7 of the 2011 Season of Single Ladies on VH1, Lori Michaels performed the Michael Caruso & Tamara Champlin's ballad, "Pretty When She Cries", that had previously been featured on her CD "Living My Life Out Loud"[11] released in 2008. Caruso, in 2009, was named to Music Connection Magazine's Top 100 unsigned artists list.[12]
Michael Caruso's[13] EP "When The Devil Starts To Pray" involved co-writers and musicians Randy Sharp; Trey Bruce, Roy Braverman, Tamara Champlin, Jeff Paris,[14] Glenn Goss, TJ McFarland, Dennis Matkosky;[15] Michael St.Thomas, and Moon Calhoun. From that release a song "For Tessa" dedicated to Caruso's daughter, inspired work with suicide prevention.[16] Also a film short, Sunshine Deprivation Blues[17] featured one of the EP's songs "Tell Me What You Will" (sharing vocals with Glenn Goss). Caruso released singles "True Love's Tears" (Caruso/Sharp) in 2014, "Good When You're Gone" (Caruso/Paris/Kravitz) in 2015 "What A Day" (Caruso/Rydell) in 2016, and "Another Mile" (Caruso/Sharp) in 2017. "Good When Your Gone" was also the theme song for the Rob Saul Show.[18]
Caruso and Glenn Goss were part of a Charity Tribute to the Beatles in 2017 @ Beit T'Shubah[19] in Los Angeles, Ca. that was hosted by Ruth McCartney,[20] Angie McCartney[21] and directed by Martin Nethercutt.[22]
Caruso's video of his cover of Sunny Afternoon was screened at the Arpa International Film Festival on August 2, 2019[23] and had a second screening in 2020 at that festival as a co-writer with Eric Bazilian and Glenn Goss of "Only Love" by Manu Hvala.[24] In 2021, Caruso's video "Born With An Accordion", a Caruso/Goss collaboration, was again part of the Arpa International Film Festival and was named audience favorite[25]
In addition to collaborations with artists such as Lita Ford, Terri Nunn, Vixen, and Michael LeCompt,[26] Caruso has also worked with the legendary Sammy Cahn, Eric Bazilian, Paul Williams, Dave Berg and Tom Keane.
