Heartlander by Michael Veitch

Having worked for many years as Vermont's statewide recycling advocate, battling for clean air, water and fair government, Michael attacked huge multinational waste corporations to prevent them from burning trash and polluting the environment. He worked for progressive candidates and ran as an independent progressive for Vermont State Senate in the early 90's.

In 1994, after running for Vermont State Senate, Veitch decided to concentrate on music and writing full time. But when Mike's wife Evie handed her friend Shawn Colvin a CD of Michael's music, Shawn enthusiastically encouraged him to perform his music out on the road and open some shows for her. Eventually Michael opened for Shawn on tour and at other gigs, meeting many of his musical heroes. While opening for Shawn at a well-known Washington, DC venue, George Stephanopolis, who was in attendance, invited Shawn and Michael on a special tour of the White House and to meet Bill Clinton in the Oval Office. Veitch realized the irony of the situation - that it was music that got him into the White House and not strictly politics, something that confirmed his belief that he could do more to raise awareness of serious issues and affect change by performing. His songs carried his message, echoing the tradition of troubadours like Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Odetta and Billy Bragg. And it was also during an anti-war rally in Washington DC, that his combination of music and activism that allowed Michael to share the stage with Jesse Jackson, Patti Smith and Ben Cohen (Ben and Jerry's) which was filmed and later shown repeatedly on CSPAN.

With his feet firmly planted between his love songs of life and people, Michael's fourth CD is a mature collection of material written over the last two years - songs based on real life events, like Sanctuary, about a police shooting in a Vermont Church; the anti-war anthem Veteran's Day; and songs covering other topics including sexual abuse in the church and the desolate and heartbreaking poverty in a land of plenty. Veitch deals with relationships both hopeful and dysfunctional, as elegantly showcased in the arresting, "For My Dear Life," about the universal longing we have all experienced at some points in our lives.

Michael has just released his new CD, Heartlander. He has three previous CD's; Southern Girl , New York Journal, and his first CD, Down Deep, now out of print. Down Deep was named by Performing Songwriter magazine as one of the top 12 DIY CD's of the year in 1998. New York Journal features Shawn Colvin's voice on the duet "Anybody But You" and Susan Werner on piano. Southern Girl grew out of songs that were written for the Monday Night Songwriters Meeting held at Jack Hardy's in Greenwich Village.

"( known for his) terrific tenor that is openly expressive and beautifully nuanced" .. Dirty Linen

"Veitch's songs show the same ability to capture the movement of the eye as well as the heart." Sing Out!

"Veitch was a knockout..(at the Newport Folk Festival)" Boston Herald

" Veitch's music is a savvy combination of informed protest songs and sensitive love songs. He's unquestionably a fine performer and songwriter. Catch him when you can!" Robert Resnick WVPR (Vermont Public Radio )

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