Michael began as a jingle writer for the William B. Tanner Company of Memphis. In 1989, his first cut "Thinking About You Again (co-written by Stephony Smith) was on Shelby Lynne's album "Sunrise" on Epic Records. In 1985 he became a staff writer for the legendary American Sound Studio writer/producer Chips Moman upon his return to Memphis. During this era, Moman produced the "Class of '55" album with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins - and a Ringo Starr album. In 2001, Michael was American Songwriter Magazine's Grand Prize Lyric Winner for "The Knowers of Things." In 2008 his song "Lone Star Flag" (co-written by Wake Eastman) was released by Pauline Reese and her High Country Band on their album "Too Texas."  The song was nominated for "Record of the Year" by the Texas Music Awards. Michael was a professor at the University of Memphis from 2000 - 2018. He retired from academia, and moved to Nashville to resume songwriting and publishing.