With parents steadfastly refusing to play nursery rhymes in the car, Michael van Lieshout grew up listening to bands like Chicago and Tower of Power. But it wasn’t until he heard Texas Flood that he decided he wanted to play guitar and sound like the legendary SRV.
Starting on a ¾ size guitar at age six, Michael has been taught and mentored by some awesome NZ guitar players including Joel Shadbolt, Chris Williamson and Dixon Nasey. Heavily involved in the school music scenes first at Tauranga Intermediate School and currently, at Tauranga Boys College both his work ethic and love of music are increasingly evident.
Still only 14, Michael has twice won guitar awards in the National Youth Jazz Competitions, has enjoyed recording with the NZ School of Music Big Band One, performing as a soloist with the NZ Army Band, and sharing the stage with mentor Joel Shadbolt and kiwi musical heavyweights, L.A.B at One Love Festival and Mount Smart Stadium.
Michael loves his Mcpherson Evolution overdrive wood top guitar pedal and visits our McPherson workshop whenever his gear needs tweaks or repairs.
