artist Michael Bernard Fitzgerald

Fans and critics all agree: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming musical force to be reckoned with. Since his modest first show at a tiny folk club in 2005 to the heights of Virginfest 2008, MBF is about to outgrow his hometown of Calgary.  At a time when the music industry is predominantly concerned with marketing generic bad boys and anti-heroes, MBF breaks from the pack with a refreshingly earnest and optimistic sound.  It's won him a local following which stands strong against any other Calgary act, and in addition to hometown fans, he's also gaining interest across the country. MBF has toured across Canada, sharing a bill with the likes of Roz Bell, Jully Black, The Wallflowers, Stars, and Hedley. He funded and recorded two independent EP's, selling thousands of copies off the stage.

MBF is known for rallying the music community and bringing them together.  In 2007, the University of Lethbridge supported the "These Proportions Are Epic" tour, where Michael escorted a band of 50 musicians playing University theatres throughout Alberta. That same year, Michael performed at Calgary's Grand Theatre with a backing band of 26 musicians, and then returned to that venue twice more with 54 performers on stage.  The Calgary community took notice of Michael's ambitions, and responded in spades. The Alberta Foundation for the Arts granted funding for a full length recording (recorded in Nashville) and The Calgary Stampede awarded him first prize in the 2007 Youth Talent Search. In 2008, Michael won X92 "Xposure" contest (landing him a spot in Virginfest), and "most promising songwriter" by the Calgary Folk Festival where he performed that year. Most recently Rawlco Radio has awarded a grant for the recording of his first full-length release.

His biggest accomplishment was revealed in June 2009 - "The MBF Love LP"; a full length studio album produced by Russell Broom (Jann Arden), accompanied by the show entitled "Love and Manners" - a sight and sound spectacular coordinated by Michael which involved 120 local musicians, dancers and visual artists. The MBF Love LP is a successfully emotive collection of original compositions that are direct, funky, and immediately compelling. Comparisons can be traced to artists like Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and other familiar artists, but the vibe and execution are all his own.  

BOOKING: steve@loadmusic.ca

PHONE: 403.265.2666 ext.18