Jumping In - Winner of the 2005 "AAA" Album of the Year, LA Music Awards 2006 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Songwriting Finalist 2004 Male Singer Songwriter of the Year, Los Angeles Music Awards 2005 Pacific Songwriting Competition Hot Pick Artist 2005 Orange County Music Awards Nominee 2004 Billboard World Song Contest Honorable Mention in the Folk/Country Genre 2004 Call to Arts Song Contest Winner What makes a seasoned song? A seasoned songwriter... A cancer survivor, a world traveler, a student of languages, philosophy, religions, and at one point, a year away from being ordained a priest (gasp!), Michael's music is fully seasoned with the experiences of ten lifetimes. It is delivered and wrapped up in a unique style of acoustic guitar-centric music that has drawn comparisons that range from James Taylor to David Wilcox, from Damien Rice to Kurt Cobain, from Glen Phillips to Woody Guthrie. Tiernan's music "adheres to no boundaries; every genre is crossed as Tiernan showcases his technical skill with exceedingly intricate guitar work" (San Diego Reader). In the spring of 2000, upon deciding to leave the seminary in Rome, Italy, Michael wasn't sure where life was leading him. He locked himself in a friend's basement armed with only a guitar, a mic, and a PC. Two weeks later, he emerged with his first 14 song album/demo, "Two Weeks (with nothing to do). Michael's feet were set firmly down the troubadour's path. The 2003 release of his self-produced "Still Listening", proved to be an engaging acoustic album that got people in Southern California and beyond noticing. The success of "Still Listening" inspired Michael to jump into a full-time music career and he began to hit the road. Among the awards he quickly garnered, he was honored with the prestigious Los Angeles Music Award for Best Independent Male Singer/Songwriter of 2004. Michael's presence on the music scene in 2005 was greatly broadened with the release of his third album, "Jumping In". This album was recently named 2005's "AAA" Album of the Year by the Los Angeles Music Awards, and Michael has continued to expand his appeal and following in several markets, walking the line between mainstream adult alternative, modern folk, americana, and acoustic rock genres. Along Tiernan's tour-path the past two years in numerous notable venues on the West and East Coasts, from festivals to brewpubs, coffee houses to music clubs, bookstores to old churches, audiences have been treated to Michael's passionate performances and intimate style of communication. "The down-to-earth human excitement he gets from performing music is contagious" (Jim Kloss - Whole Wheat Radio). Tiernan also gives back to the community through his participation in two major cancer-support foundations and through organizing music events to showcase up-and-coming artists in his native San Diego. Michael's newest full-length album, "Spaces" will be released nationwide on on January 28th, 2007, followed by a select city national tour in the winter and spring of the same year.