Michael Hedges
Created in 2021 by his family and friends, this website is a place to remember, celebrate and learn about the life and music of Michael Hedges. More features will be added in the years to come.
For 43 years, we were able to share an extraordinary life and its music. The acoustic guitar will never be the same, and for those of us that loved him, neither will we.
Photo Credit: Irene Young
The Music
“Heaven is all around, translated to sound.”
Michael Hedges was an innovative guitarist and composer who released eight solo albums and collaborated on numerous other projects before his untimely death in 1997. His talent brought him from small-town Oklahoma to Baltimore’s Peabody Conservatory, and Carnegie Hall. He was a once-in-a-generation force that would revolutionize the acoustic guitar.
Oracle
IN PRODUCTION
A feature documentary about the life & music of Michael Hedges
Produced and directed by filmmakers Mischa Hedges (Michael’s son) and Brendan Hedges (Michael’s brother), the story of Michael’s life & music career will be told by his family, close friends, collaborators & fans, with never-before-seen footage & unreleased music.
BECOME A SPONSOR
You can become an official sponsor and help fund production of the first feature documentary about Michael Hedges.
The Latest
Protected: August Update – Behind the Scenes at ‘Musicarium’ in Music City!
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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July Update – Behind the Scenes in Michael’s Hometown of Enid, Oklahoma
This summer, ten interviews with Michael’s family members, high school band mates and childhood friends were filmed in his hometown of Enid, Oklahoma!
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June Update – New interviews filmed for “Oracle”
ORACLE documentary production resumes with two primary interviews in the San Francisco Bay Area!
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A Crowdfunding Campaign to fund production of Michael Hedges documentary
In March, we launched a 30-day crowdfunding campaign to fund production phase of ORACLE: the life & music of Michael Hedges
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25 Years Since We Lost Michael
It’s been 25 years since we lost Michael. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of him. Here’s an update on the projects we’re working on to celebrate his life and music.
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Waltzing Kokopelli to the Greek
“Our mystery here starts on August 10, 1996, the day I got a call from my pal Michael Hedges on my ruby red rotary-dial telephone.” – a remembrance of Michael Hedges written by his friend and collaborator, songwriter Patrick Bray...
Filming the U.S. Guitar Orchestra in New York City
Behind-the-scenes filming the U.S. Guitar Orchestra rehearsing and performing “Because It’s There” by Michael Hedges.
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David Crosby gives interview for Michael Hedges documentary
In May 2022, Mischa and Brendan Hedges completed an interview with David Crosby for the upcoming biographical documentary about Michael Hedges.
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The Slow Series: Layover
In 1983, Michael Hedges’s friend Randy Lutge filmed him playing several of his songs slowly, so that others might more easily learn them. Watch him play “Layover” in this format.
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Through the 1980s with Michael Hedges
When Michael built his studio in Mendocino I would take many trips up the coast to hang out with the Hedges family and record some original songs together.
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The Slow Series: Two Days Old
In 1983, Michael Hedges’s friend Randy Lutge filmed him playing several of his songs slowly, so that others might more easily learn them.
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Michael Hedges & the Harp Guitar
In 1984, Michael Hedges walked into a San Francisco guitar shop and discovered his next musical pursuit: an acoustic relic from the 1920s called a harp guitar.
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Discover Michael’s Music
Michael Hedges’ music career spanned the 70s, 80s and 90s, and his work included composing for multiple instruments, but primarily guitar. He was known for his captivating stage presence, his warmth and generosity, and of course, his incredibly unique style of playing the guitar – which lives on his recordings, and in those who were influenced by him.
Fan Stories
Have a story to tell? Submit yours below!
25 Years Since We Lost Michael
It’s been 25 years since we lost Michael. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of him. Here’s an update on the projects we’re working on to celebrate his life and music.
...Waltzing Kokopelli to the Greek
“Our mystery here starts on August 10, 1996, the day I got a call from my pal Michael Hedges on my ruby red rotary-dial telephone.” – a remembrance of Michael Hedges written by his friend and collaborator, songwriter Patrick Bray...
Maybe Magic: Rediscovering The Wonder of Michael Hedges (Tim Arnold)
My brother gave me a cassette that would become the soundtrack of my life in Spain until I returned to England some years later. Side A was Michael Hedges’ Aerial Boundaries.
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I met one of my heroes…(Martin Filiatrault)
Submitted by Martin FiliatraultI was fortunate enough to meet Michael during a show at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, CA in [1997]. I took a chance during the intermission and walked backstage at the open venue. I found Michael by himself, walking...
Meeting Michael – His Friendliness and Humility (Chana Schwartz)
Submitted by Chana Schwartz – When I was in college in the Bay Area, a friend started taking me to the New Varsity Theater to hear concerts of some of the Windham Hill artists playing there.
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First Listen (Jimmy Galloway)
Submitted by Jimmy Galloway The year was 1988. My friend Max brought over a 90m cassette tape. On one side was Breakfast in the Field, the other side was Aerial Boundaries. I just started playing guitar 2 years earlier, learning Jimmy Page, Chet A...
The Hollow Arm (David Powell)
Submitted by David Powell – I had the privilege of helping a friend produce a documentary about the harp guitar called “The Hollow Arm,” which includes a segment about Michael Hedges…
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Meeting Michael on Oracle ’97 Tour (Ricardo Sweatt Rodriguez)
Submitted by Ricardo Sweatt Rodriguez “I had the great privilege of spending time with Michael a few weeks prior to his passing. I received him at the airport in Houston on his Oracle tour in October 1997. We spent time in his hotel room tal...
There are no rules (Wiley Hodgden)
Submitted by Wiley Hodgden – In the summer of ‘97, I took a road trip on HWY 1 from Mendocino down to San Diego, hitting all parts of California…
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Meeting one of your guitar heroes (Tom McVey)
Submitted by Tom McVey I worked as artist liaison at a venue back in the early/mid 90’s and Michael played twice during my tenure. I would always request working his shows so I could meet and talk to him. I was first ‘introduced’...
My first decade with Michael Hedges
Michael and I first met in 1969 when I was a senior in high school and he was a sophomore.
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Starseed Eulogy for Michael
Songwriter Patrick Brayer’s eulogy for Michael Hedges, written shortly after Michael’s death.
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An open letter Michael’s fans…
An open letter to friends, collaborators and fans of Michael Hedges, by Michael’s son Mischa
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Quotes from Michael Hedges
Read quotes from Michael Hedges, as compiled on the original Nomadland.com website by Matt Guthrie.
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Interview with Michael Hedges for D’Addario
D’Addario strings put together a calendar for ’95 in which they asked the various featured artists a few questions. Michael was January’s poster boy.
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Interview with Michael Hedges for “Guitar Works” – 10/29/94
During the fall ’94 Road to Return tour, Brian Jarbo interviewed Michael for his radio program Guitar Works. The program can be heard in the Baltimore-DC area on 89.7 FM WTMD, Sundays 9-10PM. Thanks to Brian for the interview!
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An interview with Michael Manring – 4/15/94
An interview with Michael Manring while on tour with Michael Hedges in April, 1994. Conducted by Matt Guthrie.
...Rough Wind in Oklahoma
Michael Ayers reflects on the Oklahoma City bombing and attending a benefit concert where Michael Hedges performed.
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Have Your Own Story to Share?
This website is a collaboration between Michael’s family, friends, collaborators and fans. We’d love to hear your story about seeing him live, meeting him, or anything else you’d like to share!
Well-written stories with 1-5 high quality images (minimum 800×600 pixels) and 3-5 paragraphs of text will be published on the blog if they meet our standards for quality and respectful communication on this website.
Please write your story and upload your images using this form. We’ll be in touch when your story is published on the blog so you can share it far and wide!
Fan Club
Wait, you read all the stories on the website and still want more? Join the Facebook Fan Club for more conversation with Hedges fans about all things Michael Hedges.