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MICHAEL RUSSELL O'BRIEN
Michael was a rock n roll recording artist for Oceana/BMG in the 1990's.
Signed personally by Label President Carl Maduri, whose career spanned
V.P. of MCA Records and Executive Producer of such hits as "The Morning After"
Maureen Mcgovern's #1 hit from the movie "The Poseidon Adventure", Wild Cherry's
#1 hit "Play That Funky Music", and also managing national acts, The Michael Stanley Band,
and Donnie Iris. Michael received national chart status with "Why", his only ballad off the rock
album. The song received "Up & Coming" status from Radio & Records Publication for 20 weeks straight.  The self- titled debut album received the MAC Report's "Best New Album" nomination, and Billboard magazine reviewed it under their "New & Noteworthy" section.
As a "non-practicing Catholic", an unexpected pilgrimage to Medjugorje changed his direction. During that first visit, Michael was given a written message by the the apparition site's popular visionary, Vicka, who claimed the message was for him from the Blessed Mother to use his talent and abilities to bring people back to the faith - - a mission that he could not comprehend or readily accept.
Michael signed with Oceana/BMG Records soon after and was headlining Disney World
as a rock n roll recording artist. During this time he responded to Our Lady's message by recording a musical tribute to Our Lady of Medjugorje titled "Sounds Of Medjugorje" that was only available in Medjugorje. This album, featuring classic Catholic hits like "Gentle Woman" and "Immaculate Mary" that were staples of the
 English-speaking mass in Medjugorje and combined with audio recordings of the mass and prayers in Medjugorje became the music which tour guides played on the pilgrims' bus journey to and from the apparition site, creating demand for this album from English-speaking pilgrims all over the world. The album was nicknamed in it's cassette form as "The $10 trip to Medjugorje". Michael had recorded the album alone and for years his name was not found on the label.
This album took on a pure "grass roots" life of its own with no advertising or promotion surrounding it other than "pilgrims searching for it and wondering who recorded it". Michael was invited to perform the songs from this album and speak about his conversion at The University of Notre Dame's Catholic Conference ending in a long lasting standing ovation. Michael since has been invited and performed his Catholic music and given his testimony at more than 80 Catholic Conferences and 600 city events from major city Arenas to small town churches across North America.
Every year since his Notre Dame appearance, he is still in demand and tours 40 cities with his "One Man Catholic Show". Attendees of every show frequently ask " Why have we never heard of him?", continuing to keep that original underground spirit as "Catholic Entertainment's Best Kept Secret!"
During the 1990's Michael also released the follow up to "Sounds Of Medjugorje" with the equally
popular album "Sounds Of Medjugorje 2" featuring hits like "Here I am, Lord" and "Prayer of St .Francis" . His "Sounds Of Medjugorje - Live In Concert" album was recorded before a sold-out crowd of 5,000 at the University of California
and features songs, comical testimony and crowd participation. "Home For Christmas" was released in 2004 and is the basis for the Annual Christmas Tour.  
Side notes:
In 2001, Michael also released a secular album "It's About Time!"  on AMI records partnering with world famous producer Nile Rodgers who has produced the biggest acts in music from Duran Duran, David Bowie, Madonna, Eric Clapton, etc. and was the founder of the 70's band Chic, with hits like "Freak Out", "Good times" and writer of the famous "We Are Family". Michael's album broke all time mall event sales records from Maine to San Francisco.
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