Michael Tolcher’s name hasn’t quite found its way into the world of mainstream pop-rock just yet, but he’s waiting. The native of Lovejoy, Georgia, had dreams of being an Olympian and was running track for Georgia Tech before an injury derailed his success as an athlete. He then turned to music, his second passion, and since has been pouring his heart out across the country.
Tolcher’s debut album, “I Am,” is a grab bag of musical styles–a bit of groove and soul mixed with lyrically mastered tracks such as “Kings in Castles.”
Tolcher’s lyrics tell a personal story that he wants the world to see, and he believes the key to a successful song is as simple as melody, rhythm, and meaning. Songs such as “Waiting,” with stanzas such as “individual/a self-destination/a wide-open journey/on a path to creation/your life is happening now” are sure to inspire and reflect his goal to turn his personal experiences into human experiences.
But on the flip side, he is not afraid to let loose and have fun; on stage in Cincinnati in January, he started into an energy-filled version of Tag Team’s “Whoomp! There It Is” to prove that the smiling writer is not all about changing people’s lives.
After his injury at Georgia Tech, he began performing at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, where his father was the resident chaplain, and happened to come across Dr. Mutulu Shakur, father of the late Tupac, who Tolcher says was an immediate influence.
From there he embarked on his career and hasn’t let up. He has shared the stage with Sister Hazel, Oval Opus (a Cincinnati-based band), Hootie and the Blowfish, Art Alexakis, and most recently has been on the road with Gavin DeGraw and Ingram Hill.
“I could put my voice out across a great loud speaker/and attempt to give strength to the folks feeling weaker,” he sings in “Miracle,” a simple confirmation that his goal truly is to entertain with his passionate music.