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Faces of Culpeper: Micheal Hurley
Having played music his entire life, Micheal Hurley has had a long and successful music career, playing across Virginia with No. 1 hits on local radio stations. Recently leaving his band behind, Hurley is now looking forward to releasing his own album "Hazel River" on July 4, a tribute to Culpeper, where he's lived for two years. Hurley even shot his CD art inside the Hazel River Inn Restaurant, complete with a horse named Nugget, which owners allowed inside the building for a two-hour photo shoot.
Tell us about your music career-
"I've played music all my life. I used to do a country music TV show. I was never into country music, but I got asked to do that for a while. I've played in a lot of bands and have had records out that have done very well in the Richmond and southeast Virginia area. I already have a huge number of radio stations in that area that are going to do this CD. Now I'm working on getting some airplay in this area.
Music has always been my main interest. Every time I've put out something or written songs there's always been some success to it, but I've never gone out and put so much work into something as I did with this album. The studio I'm at, Micheal Jackson has recorded there, Mariah Carey, lots of big-time artists. I was told that you have to go to a good studio and give it a year, because that's how long it takes to record a CD properly. So far, everybody that hears it is amazed. I'm amazed. I had no idea I could do this. It has just turned out so wonderful."
Tell us more about the album-
"It's all stuff that I wrote. There's a lot of rock songs on it. There are five ballads. I usually write a lot of fast songs, but this time I'm doing slow songs for some reason. That's just what's coming out. I have one blues song called 'Hazel River Blues'. It's about me taking my horse Nugget, who appears in the album pictures with me, taking him running through the Hazel River. When I wrote the blues song, I wanted it to sound like it was me and a friend, so you have to think about it. One of the rock songs was one of the number one best selling songs in the Richmond area for six months in the 80s. I did a remake of that song, but that's the only song that I've done before.
On the CD, I do all the drums and I play the piano, but I have another keyboard player who did some fill stuff. He's really good and has been with me for 40 years. I play guitar on the blues song and a couple of the rock songs. I sing all the lead and most of the harmony. I have eight other musicians that came and helped me."
What inspired you to do this album?
"All the other projects I've been on, it's been with a band's name. I really wanted to go out on my own one time and do something that was me. Starting in July, I'll have a band play with me, but we'll be known as Mike Hurley."
What do you like about music?
"I love being on stage with a lot of people out there. I love big-time festivals. We used to play at William and Mary Hall when it's packed with people. To have a huge crowd cheering while you're playing, it's just an emotional lift. I like playing in front of huge crowds and having them like you. Going to concerts is a great thing to do, but it's even more fun when you're the one playing for them."
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