Hey everyone. This is my first blog in ages. Forgive me! I have been travelling so much between New York to London, I have just lost track of time and almost everything. I feel like I must write now to ask people to take notice of what has been happening in the Philippines the last week.

Hurricane Ondoy has caused such widespread havoc and destruction throughout the Philippines, and the reports and images and videos about the flood, also flood my heart with sadness. It's so heart-breaking to see people with not much to begin with, lose everything including their lives due to nature's cruel powerful ways. Memories of the Tsanami and Hurricane Katrina come to mind, but when I see the streets that I know suddenly look like a deadly muddy river, the urgency and desperation of the situation really hits home... Literally!

The Red Cross are asking for donations to help those victims who need your help now more than ever. Every little bit helps. There are also groups that are organising donation boxes etc. Here is just a start:

This is the link for the group

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140402736830&ref=ts

& this is the topic from the group with information on how to donate if you're not in HK/Philippines

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=140402736830&topic=10584

On a more personal note, I had an amazing time with the QUEEN SYMPHONIC concerts in the UK. Thank you to all who came, who braved the lousy English summer weather and who came to say hi! I hope we can do more in the future!

I have to say it was an honour and privilege to perform with those that I did, but must give a cheer out for Ricardo Afonso who just finished a 2 year stint as London's Galileo in WWRY. I don't think I have ever heard such a spectacular voice and will never forget his THE SHOW MUST GO ON at the Symphonics. I wish him all the best for future endeavours and am looking forward to performing with him again someday.

In the same breath I must also congratulate my old friend Peter Murphy who took over from Afonso. Peter has one of the best voices I have ever heard and am sure he will be an awesome Gaz!! Another Aussie Gaz!! I wish him the very best and I hope if you are in London to make sure you see him at the Dominion...guaranteed to blow your mind!

Ok, it's been a week since I started writing this blog so let me get this done and posted!! Last week I wrote a song as a tribute to the victims and relief workers in the Philippines in the wake of the storms. 'UNITED AS ONE' is meant to be a voice of hope and a call to arms for all Filipinos and in fact everyone to help with donations, supplies, time and love. The final death toll is still uncertain but the destruction and devastation is unquestionable. The rebuilding of the nation will take years and untold amounts of funds. What worries me most is that since it is no longer front page news, people will forget that the real help is needed right now. Anyway, check out the song and video here. I hope it gives hope and help to where it is needed most.

Well that's it for now. Will post this or it will be another week before I get it out. Raining, cold and miserable here in New York City, but that makes home just that extra bit cosy. Let's remember those who have lost their homes and loved ones while we snuggle up to ours in ours.

Always love,

MiG
X

I am writing this as I fly back from London to New York. I was scheduled to stay in London for this whole period between the Alnwick concert and the Mercedes Benz world gig, there was supposed to be another concert in Glasgow, and travelling backwards and forwards across the Pond is draining financially and spiritually, but I woke up yesterday and just had this overwhelmingly powerful need to go home. So thank God (and Qantas) for frequent flyer points. This impulsive trip home is purely because I have been away so much for too long. Any chance to bridge that gap between Home & Away is so important. I miss my girls so much, and although my wife is so busy and kicking arse right now, I really feel I need to be home.

Having said that, it was so great to be back in the UK. Love London! What an incredible city. Such a style and energy that I miss and crave. The QUEEN gig in Northumberland was fraught with danger: gale force winds, rain and mud looked like the event was going to be a disaster. Probably in every other country it would have been cancelled, but in the UK, the show must go on and on it went! The people came in their thousands and did not let the weather dampen their spirits, and wow what spirits!! It ended up being one of the best of these gigs ever. We were all hanging by a thread but pulled through to make it work. Living on the edge dude!! True rock n roll. The people of Northumberland totally rock the very foundations of Earth!! Love them!!!

I also have to say how sad I was about Michael Jackson's passing. I say this in that it has been sad for many many years now. This was just the full stop at the end of a very tragic story. I feel so bad for him and for everyone around him. His upcoming concerts were going to be incredible, especially for a friend of mine, Shannon Holtzapffel, who flew to LA from Australia, auditioned for the gig of a lifetime with thousands of others but was one of the chosen few to be one of Michael's dancers. The YouTube video of that audition  was so inspirational. I am so proud of him and was so looking forward to seeing him shine on stage, and then, just like that, it all ends. So tragic, I don't even know where to begin to express how sorry I am for all involved. I've got to say how thrilled I was to see Shannon and the other dancers so featured with Jennifer Hudson at the memorial. So great and proud of Shaheen as well singing his lungs out.

Michael Jackson was a hero of mine. I saw him live at Parramatta Stadium in 1987 for the 'Bad Tour' and I was mesmorized by everything that he did. We will all miss you Michael. I hope my little clip from THRILLER:LIVE! gives justice to your legacy.

Always love,

MiG
x

Forgive my taking so long to blog since my last one. June?! What the...?! 

The QUEEN gigs in the UK were fantastic. The Bournemouth Symphony were brilliant. Because we were indoors in Bournemouth, I really got a chance to listen to the amazing orchestrations of Richard Sidwell and the richness that only a world class orchestra can bring. I am so looking forward to the upcoming QUEEN SYMPHONIC concerts. I am sorry that the July 11 concert was cancelled. I am not sure of the reasons exactly, but for those who were planning on going, I can only say that's show-biz. In this economic climate, we are lucky to be doing anything I guess. We should count every concert as a blessing. There are still a lot of concerts scheduled so please look at the TOUR page of my site for a gig that suits you. I promise each concert is an event that will be a highlight of the summer season. 

Thank you to all those who came to meet me backstage at the MiG Meet & Greet. I wish I could have stayed longer to chat but for the time constraints on me and lack of space, it really was the only way I could meet everybody and give everyone my equal time. It was so nice to see old friends and new faces! 

HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS was shown in Chicago on June 3 on PBS as a test run. If it was received well, it would then be considered for National airing. Well I am pleased to announce that due to the overwhelming response of the Chicago airing, HANDEL'S MESSIAH ROCKS will be aired nationally on PBS later this year. Thank you to all those who tuned in and supported the show. Stay tuned to mig-music for the latest news on this. My congratulations to all those involved with the show. 

I am flying around all over the place like crazy again! I am writing this to you from Hobart, Tasmania!! How's that for Down Under?!! 

My regards and love to you and yours, 

MiG 
x

Last weekend, Anzac weekend, was a fantastic, hectic time. The weather in NY was sensational. It was like summer suddenly appeared out of nowhere and kissed our skin with its warmth and the promise of good times ahead. From Thursday night at Eight Mile Creek, to the 2 gigs on Friday at The Australian to Saturday’s Dawn service at Battery Park, the NY Magpies event at Pier 66, to the Sunday Anzac Ceremony at Rockefeller Centre’s Anzac Garden, I was busy singing anthems, jamming with Luke Dolahenty, sampling Anzac bickies, meat pies, sausage rolls and Aussie Beer, running around like a headless chicken…AND LOVING IT!! So proud to be Aussie at the moment. It was as though NY had gone totally Down Under and Americans were in the minority group. Wall to wall Aussies and Kiwis!

However with beauty of the blossoms in the trees comes the torment of the pollen invading my eyes and my nose… for those of you who have never suffered hay fever, you are lucky. It can whack you in the face and render you useless for days, if not weeks. I have been dosing up on my meds to combat the onslaught, but there are still those days where nothing works. The activities in the weekend, coupled with the pollen destroyed me! Am only now feeling normal again.

I have to say how awesome it was for so many people to come to my usual Eight Mile gig last week and jam with me. Norman, Kylie & Justin came and blew us away. I was even more blessed by a visiting Aussie superstar, Guy Sebastian. He was the first winner of Australian Idol, I guess our Kelly Clarkson, but this Guy just gets better and better and he totally blows me away whenever he opens his mouth, not to mention that he plays guitar and piano and is super cool. Playing with him and Luke that night was what musical dreams are made of. I went to see him play his regular gig at Drom on Monday night and yet again he blew me away. Suffering hay fever himself, his set composed killer originals and a couple of awesome covers, yet you would never know he was suffering a cold or hay fever. If that’s him when he’s sick… wow. Anyway, do yourself a favour and catch him at Drom every Monday at 8pm.

I am about to pack up for my gig tonight at the creek, and also have been preparing for my forthcoming trip to the UK for the QUEEN Symphonic concerts. Very excited, but have to be sure to stock up on Claratin.

Hope you are enjoying the glorious change of season wherever you are.

Always love,

MiG
x
 

Please forgive me for this, but I really need to ask for your help here. A young girl by the name of Ashley Friel has been missing from her home in Columbia, MO since Saturday 11 April. She is 15 years old, 5 feet tall and is about 105 pounds, has brown hair with blonde highlights and has hazel eyes. The photo below was taken 4 months ago. Her hair is shorter and I believe she does not have her glasses. I met her in Chicago a while back and she is an awesome young person. Her parents are worried and ask that if anyone has any information to please call detective Curtis Brown at the Columbia Police Department on (573) 442-6131.
 

On another note, I have to say how proud I am to see Shaheen Jafargholi whip the world into a frenzy with his amazing talent. I worked with this 12 year old 2 years ago when we toured the UK with THRILLER:LIVE!, and had no doubt he was a star. You have to hear him sing! BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT this year has got to be the most sensational so far, and I am so hoping people get behind this amazing young man and make him the star he already is.

I also have to say how excited I was to see Thelma Houston carve up the AMERICAN IDOL stage tonight. This diva I worked with in FAME around Australia about 10 years ago, and she blew us away then. She is an amazing human being in every sense of the word, and man can she SING!!! I love you Thelma!!

I hope you are all well and happy and living every moment of your life.

Always love,

MiG
X

 

I have just spent the last 10 days in Vancouver, working with gun producer Jeff Dawson and the unstoppable Mike Fraser on a couple of tracks. We worked in Bryan Adams studio THE WAREHOUSE, and it was so awesome to be in a world-class studio again. Making music in the studio is something I want to do for the rest of my life. The songs sound great and I can’t wait to play them to everyone. I will have them up for all to hear very, very soon. Stay tuned…

I have to say how incredible Vancouver is. The mountains are SO spectacular and the snow capped peaks that surround the city bring a sense of awe to every waking moment in this amazing city. The people are so friendly and the city has a real funky hip vibe to it. Literally a hop ski and a jump away from great skiing fields, it was kind of painful for me to be so close and yet not have the time to ski! Haven’t been skiing since 2004, and I am having withdrawls. So close and yet so far. I will have to come back and do this place properly…and Whistler!

Am about to board my plane bound for New York so I should sign off now. I hope all is great in your world. Can you believe we’re at the end of March?!! What the…?! I swear someone is speeding up the clock.

Thanks Vancouver.

It’s up to you, New York, New York…

Always love,

MiG
Xx



 

My wife has a new man in her life: Oscar. And I am all for it. I am so happy and excited for the both of them. Actually the truth is that my wife Simone is dancing at the Academy Awards in Los Angeles tomorrow and I am SO proud of her. I am not sure how well you will see her amongst the whole array of dancers on stage, but that’s hardly the point now, is it? The fact she got the gig, dancing there on stage, seen by the world is a dream come true for her. She will never forget this experience and I hope this may lead to other things. I am so thrilled. I will be watching the Oscars with baited breath!

I gotta say how much I am enjoying playing at 8 Mile Creek every Thursday. The management and staff there have been truly awesome. It’s like I can play what I want, for as long as I want. I am having a ball. It’s hard work though, starting at 7.30pm and finishing in the wee hours of the morning. It’s a lot of fun though. I always dreamed about playing piano bar in New York City. It’s a bit like selling ice to the Eskimos, but so far so good. At this stage I will be playing until 5 March. I will be taking a few weeks off after that for a few reasons.

The first one being that I will be in Vancouver, Canada for a couple of weeks recording a few tracks with producer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowland, The Dudes, State Of Stock) and engineer/mixer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Franz Ferdinand, Norah Jones, Aerosmith, Metallica, Slipknot). I will be working in conjunction with Michelle Bakker and Carla Potter from The Brat Agency as well as the dynamic vodka company from New Zealand, 42 Below. It is with great pleasure and excitement to announce that I am working with these people and I hope to show the fruits of our coalition in the very near future.

I hope to be back at 8 Mile Creek upon my return to New York. I am still not sure when that will be, but will post it on the TOUR page as soon as I know.

Enjoy Oscar!

Always love,

MiG
x
 

I am in absolute shock over the tragic fires that have swept across Victoria and have claimed so many innocent lives. I am unsure of the exact death toll or the number of houses destroyed, but to lose even one life in this way is tragic enough. There are fears that the death toll is way over 100 and still rising. Hundreds have lost their homes. Thousands have been affected in very tragic ways. The walls of flames four storeys high sped through and destroyed everything in its path. Many died in their cars, trying to escape the inferno. It is hard to imagine that any of this happened due to fires that were deliberately lit. What possesses people to do this and think it is ok? I hope they catch those arsonists responsible and are duly punished. I am so heartbroken to see the tragedies unfold. It is unbelievable. My heart goes out to all the families of those killed and to those who have lost everything in this awful tragedy. Please pray that these fires are controlled and that no-one else is harmed.

My heart also goes out for the soul of my beloved Yaya (nanny) Emilia who recently passed after suffering a severe stroke last year. Her suffering is over and she was surrounded by her loved ones in her final days. Thank you for all your prayers and special thoughts. She devoted her life to service and love for our family and she will be very, very dearly missed. May she rest in peace.

I must also say that I am very excited about things that are just around the corner. One event in particular is the Queen Symphony Spectacular scheduled for May this year in the UK. I have been asked to participate and I would love nothing more than to do so, but in this crazy world and even crazier business, anything can happen in the last minute. Nothing is confirmed yet, as contracts have not been finalised. What I can say to those who have already bought tickets is that there is an excellent chance that I will be there. I will never put it up on my tour page until it is definitely confirmed. So much can happen between now and May, but I am moving mountains to be there. I loved doing the concerts last year and am so looking forward to doing them again this year, and they will be bigger and better than ever! So please stay tuned to mig-music.com for the latest updates with that, and other gigs. So many other exciting things are happening too that I just can’t talk about right now, but I will tell you how they go as soon as I can!

I hope everything is going great for you in 2009. Can’t believe it’s already February! Wow. I know there is so much bad news of gloom and despair with the economic crisis etc, but what keeps us going is that we are all in the same boat and must keep our heads above water until this tide of uncertainty clears. It will clear. Just hang on!

Always love and only love,

MiG
xx