Michael Furlong's background in the music business is a very extensive one. He has been an accomplished performing musician and technician throughout his life. Michael is a lead vocalist, lead guitar player, songwriter, studio and live audio engineer, record and video producer and editor.
During his performing career he has appeared coast to coast in the US and Canada, Japan, Guam, and Hawaii.
His “Petty Theft " Show– A Tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers has been appearing in casinos throughout the country as well as fairs and festivals nationally since 1990. Tom Petty himself made mention of Michael’ show in a 1996 Rolling Stone Magazine interview, on the internationally syndicated radio show "Rock Line" and on "MTV's Top 20 Countdown". It was then that Tom Petty learned of Michael’s tribute to him and his music.
Roling Stone Magazine August 1991
"IN FACT, TOM PETTY is hot these days. Recently a friend sent Petty an ad for an Arizona club that was promoting an upcoming show by one Michael Furlong, the first known Petty imitator. ``I thought, `Oh, boy, I get just a few hit singles, and now all of the sudden we're getting into some really weird territory,' '' Petty says with a laugh."
In September 1991 while being interviewed on the radio interview show "ROCKLINE" the subject of Michael's tribute show came up from a caller that asked if he knew of the show. He responded that he had and that he would like to see a video of the show if one were out there. Michael sent a promo package to Tom Petty's management.
Petty Theft performed in 2008 at Disneyworld Florida’s Epcot Center with Tom Petty’s written permission..
In additon to Petty Theft, Michael has performed with other successful shows including, “Sugarloaf”, of Green Eyed Lady Fame, “Rob Hanna’s Salute To Rod Stewart”, “Brad Ford’s Fortunate Son” a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, and “Raised On Radio The Tributes”, a revue style show encompassing eight different characters in one show. The shows consist of a cast of four and up to nine tribute artists.
Michael is a native of Carson City, Nevada. From 1980 – 1987, his music career brought him to Hawaii and then Sacramento where he was managed by The Bruce Cohn Mgt. Company while signed to Atlantic Records. During that time, he released four records : Use It Or Lose It/Atlantic Records in the United States, 1984/85, Head On Rock 'N’ Roll /Roadrunner Records in England, Europe & Japan,1984. Breakaway/Music For Nations in England & Europe, 1987/88, and Reign Of Terror/Enigma internationally,1988, all of which had single releases.
As a solo artist he has performed on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand", Showtime , VH-1 and various other music video shows internationally. The video for his title track single off of the Atlantic release, "Use It Or Lose It", appeared on regular rotation on MTV. "Use It Or Lose It" charted in Billboard Magazine, with 176 radio stations playing the title track coast to coast. His “Head On Rock 'N’ Roll “ release was the #2 import record to England. Two singles were released in England off of the "Breakaway" record and he has appeared in Cream, Hit Parader, Rolling Stone, and Kerrang/England publications. His shows have been sponsored by Delta Airlines, Miller Beer, Schlitz, Budweiser, Heineken, Becks, Computerland and Hong Kong Bank.
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When he is not performing, Michael has his production company, MF Productions to manage. MF Productions has managed all of the above mentioned shows. The company is a live music production company with the abilty to provide sound, stage, lighting, with video and audio recording from small clubs to concert venues. Michael’s technical production skills have lead him to be hired as General Manager of Community Access Television in Carson City, NV and as Lead Audio Tech for the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino in Reno, NV.
Michael has built a very well respected and reviered reputation with all of his musical shows and performances. To this credit all of the clients that he has worked with over two decades have understandably been very pleased to have had him perform for them.