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John Michael Presney

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John Michael’s music lies somewhere in the middle of urban edge and country soul; between concrete and fields, steel and trees – but so does he. Growing up in the heartland left its mark even after he adopted the city.
Influenced by artists ranging from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Band, The Rolling Stones, and Ryan Adams to The Replacements, Radiohead, My Morning Jacket, and U2, John Michael draws from a wide palette but is molded after no one shade.
John Michael started writing songs at a young age and ventured into performing full steam, but was never satisfied with just one outlet and began building an acting career as well as one in music. He attended multiple fine arts colleges where he honed his craft as a professional, but the structure left him feeling tied down. His unwillingness to succumb to types and genres helped him forge his own path through the world of conservatory arts training and emerge with a new agenda.
Upon his exit, and with the knowledge that he could only make music on his own terms, he began the long process of writing what would be his debut record. But things have a funny way of working and he was cast in the First National Tour of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical “Million Dollar Quartet” (about the eponymous event) portraying the father of rockabilly, Carl Perkins. With Million Dollar Quartet, John Michael has had the opportunity to play his guitar and sing across the world for thousands of people. He has spent nights drinking whisky and recording at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis; soaking in its soul. He has worked alongside and learned from some of the fathers and giants of Rock and Roll. He has been seen on national as well as international t.v. The show provided him the opportunity to play rock and roll music on a scale that most can only dream of.
Having taken the opportunity to write in hotel rooms across the world, John Michael comes out on the other side with his debut release in hand. “The Nighttime and the Dawn” was recorded in Beverly Hills, CA with J.D. Andrews (The Rolling Stones, Kanye West) at Billy Bob Thornton’s legendary home studio, “The Cave.” The record is genre spanning and directly influenced by his nights on the road in strange cities and beds. Fueled by heartbreak and liquor, it features his explosive band and guest strings by Jessy Greene (Wilco, The Foo Fighters).
Whether with his full band or by himself, plugged in and turned up or acoustic and intimate, his performances and songs speak loudly. The choruses soar and the guitar sings. Always engaging, his powerful songs speak to the romantic in all of us.
And he knows how to have fun too.

John Michael Presney Photos

John Michael Presney STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2011
Assistant Stage Manager [Replacement]

Carl Perkins (Understudy)


John Michael Presney Videos

John Michael Presney News


Theatre Bay Area Announces 2018 TBA Awards Finalists


Theatre Bay Area, the third-largest regional theatre service organization in North America, announced the finalists for the 2018 TBA Awards. The fifth annual TBA Awards Celebration will be held on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco). Tickets for the public go on sale Friday, September 28, 2018, through City Box Office.

Bucks County Playhouse Breaks Records to Celebrate MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


On September 18, Bucks County Playhouse celebrated the extraordinary, "record-breaking success" of its smash hit, "Million Dollar Quartet," by actually smashing records on the stage of the New Hope theater.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Breaks Records at Bucks County Playhouse


Bucks County Playhouse's acclaimed production of "Million Dollar Quartet" has surpassed expectations and broken the Playhouse's box office record - becoming the theater's most attended and top grossing production. Playing off the theme of this rock n' roll musical, cast members Sky Seals (who plays Johnny Cash), Ari McKay Wilford (who plays Elvis Presley) and Ryah Nixon will perform. Cast members will join the Playhouse's Producing Director Tony Award-winning Alexander Fraser and staff to "SMASH records."

Buck's County Playhouse Extends MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Through Sept. 29


With demand for tickets as hot as the current heatwave, Bucks County Playhouse's team announced today a two-week extension of its hit production of the Tony-award winning musical, "Million Dollar Quartet." The show, originally scheduled to close on Saturday, September 15, will now close Saturday, September 29.

Photo Flash: Groove Along with Bucks County's MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


Audiences are reveling in a recreation of one of music history's most famous jam sessions at Bucks County Playhouse's production of the Tony Award-winning musical 'Million Dollar Quartet.' The production which runs through September 15 is directed by original Broadway cast member Hunter Foster.

BWW Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Bucks County Playhouse- MORE LIKE MILLION DOLLAR OCTET!


The story follows a day at Sun Records back in 1956 where Sam Phillips (James Ludwig) assembles his new and hot artists Carl Perkins (John Michael Presney), Jerry Lee Lewis (Brandyn Day), Johnny Cash (Sky Seals), and Elvis Presley (Ari McKay Wilford) who recently moved on to a new label but returns to coerce Phillips to move with him.

Bucks County Playhouse Presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


Audiences will relive one of the most magical nights in rock and roll history when Bucks County Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning musical "Million Dollar Quartet." Directed by original Broadway cast member Hunter Foster, the high voltage rock 'n roll musical, with book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, is inspired by the true story of a famed recording session that brought together four music icons for an infamous all-night jam session. "Million Dollar Quartet" previews August 10 with an official opening night performance on Saturday, August 11 at 7:30 pm with performances through September 15. The 2018 Bucks County Playhouse Season is sponsored by Bank of America.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is Back at Geva for a Special Limited Run


As last season's closer, Geva Theatre Center's production of Million Dollar Quartet was a complete sell-out and was extended for an additional week. By popular demand, the show is back for a limited run, special production in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from June 14 to July 8. With a book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, based on an original concept by Floyd Mutrux and inspired by the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Hunter Foster.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Returns to Geva


Last season's hit musical, Million Dollar Quartet, is back by popular demand for a strictly limited run in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage, from June 14 to July 8. With book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, based on an original concept by Floyd Mutrux and inspired by the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Tony Award Nominee Hunter Foster.

BWW Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Cincinnati Playhouse


Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park excels at bringing musicals and plays to the boards. Its rendering of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux is no exception.

Photo Flash: Geva Theatre Center presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


Geva Theatre Center closes the 2016-2017 ESL Wilson Stage Season with Million Dollar Quartet with book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, based on an original concept by Floyd Mutrux and inspired by the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Hunter Foster and will be performed in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from May 30 to June 25.

Geva Theatre Center presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


Geva Theatre Center closes the 2016-2017 ESL Wilson Stage Season with Million Dollar Quartet with book by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, based on an original concept by Floyd Mutrux and inspired by the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Million Dollar Quartet is directed by Hunter Foster and will be performed in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from May 30 to June 25.

BWW Review: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Rocks the House with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


I've seen MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET several times, and I've always enjoyed the experience, even though it's a heavily fictionalized version of the day four music icons gathered in the studio that started their careers. If you've ever heard the original recordings that were made you know that Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash gathered around the piano (which Elvis played) and sang familiar gospel tunes. But, Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux (both contributed to the book, which came from Mutrux's original concept) use the reunion as a way to tell the story of Sun studios, and in particular, Sam Phillips, while generously sprinkling in some great music and a number of actual facts along the way. The result is a show that gives you what you really wanted; the opportunity to see these cats rock out together. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis closes their 50th anniversary season with an amazing production of this jukebox musical. I've honestly never heard it sound as good as it does here, and some of the arrangements seem to have been tweaked a bit too. Truly a fabulous way to close a monumentally fine season.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Concludes The Rep's 50th Season with a Bang


Get ready for a performance that goes up to 11: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Million Dollar Quartet, book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, with original concept and direction by Mutrux, directed by Hunter Foster.

The Rep Unveils Principal Cast of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


In their primes, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins could burn the house down at will. They weren't so much musicians as they were forces of nature, with talent and bravado that turned popular music upside down.

BWW Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Casa Manana


Fort Worth audiences are sure to delight with Casa Mañana's newly open Million Dollar Quartet.

Casa Mañana Presents MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


Casa Mañana Theatre continues its 2016-17 Broadway season with  the Tony® Award-winning Broadway Musical Million Dollar Quartet, November 5-13, sponsored by Bank of Texas. Tickets are on sale now.

Photo Flash: Hunter Foster Directs MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Westchester Broadway Theatre


Check out brand-new stills from the Hunter Foster-directed production of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET.

BWW Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Westchester Broadway Theater


'It's not every day you see someone play a glissando on the piano with his foot.'  That in itself completely conveys what 'Million Dollar Quartet' at Westchester Broadway Theatre is all about. 

Photo Flash: Westchester Broadway Theatre Presents THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET


The international smash hit musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the 'Father of Rock 'n' Roll' who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock 'n' roll jam sessions in history.

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