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Michelle Tumes…Listen

© Dana Olsen

Michelle was born in Adelaide, Australia, and has been playing the piano since she was four years old. Her style is one of compassion with compelling and soothing lyrics along with the down-under accent that is noticeable at times. Her debut album Listen was produced by the Dove Award-winning producer of the year, Charlie Peacock.

Michelle had a classical piano teacher who encouraged her at the age of four to interpret the music however she felt it. So from a very early age, she began to develop a very individual and expressive style, both on piano, and as a songwriter and vocalist. At 15, Michelle auditioned for music school and enrolled in a two-year classical piano program. She was disillusioned by the high pressure of the school and decided against a musical career. Michelle then tried her hand at dental studies, but found it not to be her cup of tea. It was at this time her younger sister gave her $40 to make a demo of one of her songs. She made the tape and sent it out to several publishing companies, unsolicited.

After receiving unexpected responses from her demo, Michelle eventually signed a songwriting deal with an Australian publisher, moved to the United States, and began to write for other artists (including the number one single "If This World" recorded by Jaci Velasquez).

Eventually, she got the break that she deserved. After being in prayer about whether to stay in the states or go back to Australia, she received a call from Sparrow Records and received a recording contract them! Michelle says, "The songs themselves spring from somewhere much deeper. Often it is when I'm really praying and meditating on God's goodness and grace that I find the sudden inspiration for a song."

"Please Come Back," is my favorite my song, so I'm providing a sound file below for those of you who may not have heard it yet. It is a song that is based on Christ's parable of the prodigal son. Michelle expresses what the prodigal son's father must have felt while his son was away. Michelle says "He was always hoping and waiting for his son to return," she says, "and that's how God waits patiently to receive us when we come to him."

Please Come Back Real Audio Sample

Click here for the Please Come Back Real Audio File (54k)
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