May 2026 NEWSLETTER

Happy May, everyone.  So, for some strange reason I wanted to look at the past few years of May newsletters.  And I landed on 2020.  You all remember that as the year the music stopped.  Well, not literally of course.  But the entire global population had to hit pause-- then we were forced to assess our lives and our futures that were suddenly in serious question.  

Six years later, COVID-19 is still here, but the world has ways to fight it and to heal those of us that have had it.  It's no longer life-threatening to us all,, no matter how healthy or unhealthy we are.  But it still sucks, and we lost too many lives (1.2 million in the U.S. alone), and over 7 million worldwide.

And here we are in 2026,and there are some words terms that you may remember, that now sound quaint:

Social distancing 
PPE (personal protective equipment)
Quarantine
Pandemic (duh)
Six feet away
Front-liners (hospital staff that were literally at war with this thing)
Zoom (the way we had to have meetings)
Karen (my personal favorite
Livestream

Thankfully we all had TV, music and internet, For those of us who missed live music, there were the aforementioned livestreams of concerts.  Well, it was more like people putting on shows from the comfort of their homes.  Or, for some, from a venue in front of no in-person fans.  Live sporting events were on hold for at least several months (I felt guilty that that one bothered me as much as it did, when so many families were dealing with losing loved ones).  

But humans are resilient.. And six years later, most of us came away unscathed and went on with our lives.  Personally, I'm thankful for me and my immediate family, and of course, all of you as we were able to keep Michael J. Media afloat. 

I'll leave you with this song my wife and I parodied from my own band called "Six Feet Away" (to the tune of "Far Away").  Have a great month everyone, and thanks for listening!--Mike @ MJM
Previously announced upcoming releasesJosh Joplin Group--Josh Joplin Group returned to the greater fold with the release of GpYr in 2025, and with the band’s groundbreaking album Useful Music turning 25 this year, Joplin is planning to release a Silver Anniverary retooling of Useful Music in 2026.  That album includes “Camera One,” the precedent-breaking first independently released single to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Triple A chart. 
Website: www.joshjoplingroup.com
Tour dates: www.joshjoplingroup.com/shows

Recent releases
Stew Cutler and Friends--Undercover (Mostly)
Website: www.stewcutler.com
Tour dates: www.stewcutler.com/calendar
Companies we currently partner with:
Rounder/Concord Records—We are currently working tour press for Concord Records and Rounder Records --  including some of Rounder's rising stars such as I'm With Her, Anna Graves, Ken Pomeroy, John R. Miller, Katie Pruitt, Bella White, Ruston Kelly, and Sierra Ferrell.  On the Concord side, we are working with Boney James, esperanza spalding, Hiromi, Butcher Brown, Lindsey Stirling, Seether,, and John Vincent III.  There are always recent releases that these artists are supporting, so we have hyperlinked their respective online media kits.  
All Eyes Media--We have partnered with Nashville based PR company All Eyes Media to work tour press for some of their excellent roster, including Cosmic Country artist Daniel Donato and American roots band Clay Street Unit.
www.alleyesmedia.com
On tour
Cowboy Junkies
www.cowboyjunkies.com/tour

The Wildwoods
www.thewildwoodsband.com/shows

David Wilcox
www.davidwilcox.com/shows
Badfish
www.badfish.com/tour

Church of Cash
www.churchofcashmusic.com/shows

Chris Knight
www.chrisknight.net/tour

Red Wanting Blue
www.redwantingblue.com/tour

Pure Prairie League
www.pureprairieleague.com/tour-dates

Brian Lisik
www.brianlisik.com/shows

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