"I play the guitar because it lets me dream out loud."
Michael Hedges. This man, this humble master of music, is immortal. His spirit lives through his fans and spreads ever farther with each new listener. Of those who have followed him through the years, all can say that he has touched them, partially or profoundly, with his music. None can say they weren't amazed by his performance, and none can say they will not miss him. Though my experiences with and because of him have been brief in span, his influence on my life will remain with me always.
In developing this page, I have found that it is almost impossible to attempt to describe Michael Hedges with words and do him justice. Michael and his music can only be described by the feelings that overcome the listener in the midst of a performance. His premature exit from this world drives home his own words: "Life's only guarantee is death..." Rather than trying to pass myself off as an aficionado of Michael's "New Edge" music, I present humbly the following links which will take you to pages that contain more knowledge than I possess.
This is an article/interview written by Anil Prasad in 1994. I think it reflects Michael's spirit, both in the text and in the choice of pictures. Mr. Prasad has another interview with Michael that was conducted in 1990.
This is the article that was written for Michael in his home town of Enid, OK after his death. It's not the San Francisco Chronicle, but it feels a bit more personal.
Unfortunately, Michael did not have a chance to set up a life insurance policy. A trust has been set up for his two boys, Mischa and Jasper, and if you would like to help them out, you can send donations to:
Children of Michael Hedges
c/o Bank of America
228 Main St.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
I have heard that there have been a few tribute articles written in several recent magazine issues for Michael. I believe these are the exact issue dates, but I am not certain. So, to date, these are the magazines in which it may be possible to find tributes to Michael:
Acoustic Guitar -- March 98
Bass Player -- April 98
Guitar Player -- March 98
Guitar World -- March 98
New Age Voice -- February 98
Like I said before, I have not had a chance to personally verify these dates, so if the article is not present in that particular issue, check in the months preceding it and let me know. Thanks.