News & Press

Click here for interview from RedNations.com

Click here for article from "Gateway to Sedona" about Micki and the First Native American Festival

May/June issue

THE MICKI FREE EXPERIENCE
Micki Free interview by Bruce Mee

Crown of Thorns were a blast of melodic rock fresh air when they crashed onto the scene in the mid 90's. The dynamic pairing of vocalist Jean Beauvoir and former Shalamar guitarist Micki Free - both in songwriting terms and live on stage - seemed to suggest that here was another rock pairing destined to join such legendary double-acts as Plant/Page, Tyler/Perry... hell, even Lennon/McCartney. Those guys were coolness personified. Back in 1995, look up the word 'Cool' in the dictionary, and there was a photo of Jean and Micki. A few years later, and the same photo could be found under 'Tragedy', Free having departed in somewhat acrimonious terms and setting out on his own solo career. Now here we are, 10 years later in 2005, and the good news is that not only is there another Micki Free solo album - 'Experience' - being released, but the amazing announcement that Micki and Jean are once again working together on a musical project. Time to hook up with Micki and find out what's going down...

Okay, first obvious question - how do you go from Shalamar to the hard rocking of Crown of Thorns, and which musical style would you consider your personal favourite to work in?

When I joined Shalamar, I was a Rock & Roll guitarist looking for my break. I never even heard of Shalamar before. I was writing songs with Gene Simmons and trying to get a deal as a solo rock artist. Shalamar heard me practicing at SIR Studios in Hollywood, and at the time Prince was huge and they were looking for a guy that could compare to him - looks and guitar ability. I figured if I joined Shalamar I would become famous instantly, and record companies would see my image and guitar playing. It was like getting into a limo instead of a cab on my first outing as a musician.

How did Crown of Thorns get together? Was it deliberate to have the band with no white members, or did it just turn out that way?

Jean Beauvoir and I planed and built Crown of Thorns from the ground up, writing songs in his flat for weeks on end, just Jean and me. We did all guitar, bass and vocal parts on the demos as well as the CD, tons of killer material that we used for the first album, and as you know tons left over for The Black CD and other imports. Gene Simmons was my best friend, Paul Stanley was Jean's - they both said we needed to meet and work together. We finally hooked up and wrote 'Hike It Up' and 'The Rain', played the songs for Simmons and he freaked out saying that this combination was "a home run" and he wanted to manage us. Jean wanted Paul involved so they formed a management company call Amazing Management and we started recording the best Crown of Thorns record to date. From the beginning Gene wanted us to be a "black super group", he felt it was an edge that no-one was doing - Living Colour was out but we felt their music was more rock-fusion than straight rock like we were doing - and it would be a smash. He was right. Finding the right black players was hard, but we were ready to make it happen.

Jean was in the mainstream of rock and knew everyone, so he wanted Tony Thompson to play drums, and TM Stevens on bass. TM decided not to do the project so we needed to find a bass player, as we already had a record deal on Interscope - Jean played bass on all the demos, as well as the COT studio debut record. We put an ad in a rock magazine in LA for bass players and spent weeks looking for the right player. We were running out of time and settled for Michael Paige. We figured we could mold him into the player we needed, style wise and musicianship.

The debut COT album is a total classic, and in my opinion has never been matched with the following output. You've said the break-up was nasty, but you've never given your side of the story. But please do! What I heard was that you had considered Crown of Thorns just a stepping-stone to your own solo career. Surely not?

Matching the first COT album can only be done one way; having Jean Beauvoir and Micki Free writing that album. Jean Beauvoir and myself have a creative magic that only we together can make happen. Jimmy Iovine & Ted Fields of Interscope Records called us the "short order cooks" because of our ability to write "killer songs" at a moments notice, and record and deliver them over night. Listen closely - all in my humble opinion; Crown of Thorns is not Crown of Thorns without Micki Free in the group - it's like Motley Crue without Vince Neil, Billy Idol without Steve Stevens...and so forth and so on. Do the mat. Every COT album after the first is nothing like the magic of the debut album. Simmons called me the "riff master", and Jean was the "melodic touch", together we write heavy melodic "Journey-ish" style songs. From the beginning Jean and I sat down and purposely wrote songs in the vain of Journey, we felt they were the sound we need to find at the time.

The break up? You heard it right. The break-up was very nasty. You only heard one side of the story, but that was then and this is now. Let me just say this, Jean and I were like an old married couple, you love and fight, but eventually you kiss and make-up. I think it had all had to do with very large egos, on both of our ends. Jean was mixing 'Gypsy Cowboy' for me when the fallout happened. We both had solo deals and I was finishing up mine, and I felt Jean was a little offended I was doing a solo album while Crown of Thorns was hot. We had some very heated phone conversations, as he lived in Florida and I was in LA at the time. The next thing you know Crown of Thorns was in England again and Tommy was on guitar...killer guitar player but by no means is he "The Gypsy Cowboy" folks! I was getting all kind of calls form the mags to tell my side of the story, but at the time it was beneath me to answer a ridiculous statement; How could Micki Free, a co-founder of Crown of Thorns, who was a 50% partner with Jean Beauvoir, be fired from his own band! So I chose not to reply, I was having fun as The Gypsy Cowboy, with a CD I was very proud of and needed to be heard on my terms. A stepping stone to my solo career? NOT! I loved Crown of Thorns and working with Jean. My blood sweat and tears is stamped all over that album, as we all know. Years latter I realised how much I missed jean and being part of Crown of Thorns with him.

You are now working with Jean Beauvoir on a totally different musical project, The9. What can you tell us about this?

The9 is a project I approached Jean with on the idea of doing an "American album", written precisely for the American market here in the U.S. It is heavier and dark, but still with a touch of melody. I was digging Audio Slave and Nine Inch Nails, and bands with tuning their axes down a few scales and wanted to do a record like that. We came up with, again in my humble opinion, a killer CD with again with only Jean and myself in the studio doing all chores. We never shopped the CD anywhere as we are both so busy, but if the right company is interested I will give them this jewel to distribute.

What would the chances of having you play on stage with Crown of Thorns in the future be? Would you be willing to play with COT as a twin-guitar band?

I would love to jam again with Crown of Thorns live again, what a killer sound we had! If you saw us at the Marquee Club, we were soaring baby! Jeans knows I would love to do another Crown of Thorns album in the vain of the debut CD, it would only take the right record company to make it happen...any takers? Twin Guitars...hmmmm, sounds interesting, but with Jean on guitar and me...we need no other.

'Raw Thorns' contains some amazing songs that have never been given the full studio treatment. Why was this, and do you ever see some of those songs being done in the future?

As I stated before we wrote a ton of songs for the debut album - we couldn't put all of them on the first CD. I think we should and could do some of the Raw Thorns in a studio setting and give them the attention they rightly deserve!

Your Native American heritage seems very important to you: from recording CDs of Native American flute music to having your own range of Native American jewellery. Can you try and explain to people in Europe the importance of your ancestry, and how this plays a part in your life.

I am a Comanche Native American, and very proud of that fact. You will notice in all of my pictures I wear something that is Indian to remind me of who I am, like jewellery - Turquoise, the blue stone. I can only be who I am. I am Comanche, rocker, Dad, song writer, but Comanche first. I want my son to know who he is ... so I keep the tradition alive through me. The US tried to exterminate all of us Indians, but we will never be forgotten...we live on in past and present history.

Your musical output since leaving Crown of Thorns has been very varied, but none of it has actually sounded like COT. Why is that? Was it only as a result of co-writing with Jean you achieved that sound?

My solo albums are my songs written anyway I want to write them, expressing myself in blues, rock, funk, and other musical styles. They will never sound like Crown of Thorns because they are not supposed to. REMEMBER; Crown of Thorns is Jean and me together, writing to fit a mold we created for CoT.

The obvious reference point for many people is Hendrix, but where do you draw your influences from, and are there any new artists you respect in this modern-day era?

Jimi Hendrix is my first love on the guitar, and style wise, but my other major influences are; Billy Gibbons, Tommy Bolin, Carlos Santana, Cheap Trick and Rick Neilson, Jeff Beck, Zeppelin & Jimmy Page, KISS, old school guitar players and tons of others. Gene Simmons once said I was like a sponge, "absorbing all I need to know from everything". As you all know I love a good killer riff, so there are a few modern bands that I like; Audio Slave and Linkin Park to name a couple.

What's your opinion of these reality shows, like Pop Idol and such, where it doesn't seem as if writing talent has any perceptible factor in who comes out on top, and gets a million dollar deal!

My, have times changed. I really don't even watch those shows...what a joke.

New album, 'Experience', has some distinctly modern vibes to it. Do you think this will still appeal to fans of Crown of Thorns and your 'Gypsy Cowboy' release?

Experience is for Micki Free fans, or anyone who wants to have it; I feel there are some good songs on this CD and some...well, lets just say different. I don't write specifically for Crown of Thorns fans, I feel if you are a CoT fan, you are a Micki Free fan in one sort or another. 'Experience' was a very dark time in my life, thus the songs tend to be different from 'Gypsy Cowboy' (my true solo CD song writing style). My next solo CD will be much like Gypsy - bluesy rock songs with an edge.

Tell us about the band you put together for the album, and are we likely to see you playing live over in Europe?

Bam and Share are the best players...killer together. I loved working with them. I found them from an ad I placed in a magazine for players. I will be in Europe in 2006, fingers crossed, to rock baby - the fans there are the best bar none. I have some un-finished business there, so expect to see the return of The Gypsy Cowboy soon!

This interview was reprinted with permission from Fireworks Magazine.

"You took a shot and it did you in! Edison's medicine! You played your cards but you couldn't win! Edison's medicine!"

Micki Free "Gypsy Cowboy" voted
"BEST REISSUE CD of 2005"
by getreadytorock.com!

MICKI FREE Gypsy Cowboy Cargo Records (2005)

I recently reviewed Micki’s new album “Experience” and said it was a “groove laden album let down by poor vocals and poor production”. “Gypsy Cowboy” is a re-issue of an earlier album and I am happy to report that it is still groove laden but the production and vocal departments show a vast improvement and made this album an enjoyable listen.

Instrumental opener “Free…At Last” sounds like Micki attacking someone with a chainsaw. This leads nicely into the two part “Stockport #27/Purple or Black”. The former being a high octane Hendrix style number and the latter being a mellow Hendrix style number – nice.

“Rattlesnake” sounds like an off-cut from ZZ Top’s classic “Tres Hombres” album. “Restless Heart” has an almost countrified feel to it – imagine something off “Soldier of Fortune” by “The Outlaws” and you won’t be far away. The country feel is revisited later with “Heather’s Arms”.

All of the songs feature excellent guitar playing by Micki and generally have a melodic feel to them (for example the chorus of “Wave On”) – probably a carryover from his Crown of Thorn days. “Wounded Knee” even features Micki doing his best Carlos Santana impressions.

Excluding the final oddball “Baker Canyon Boogie” the wonderful instrumental “Waterfall” closes the album.

Not a bad song in the bunch…well, maybe one as I didn’t like the funk groove number “Stevie”.

Overall – well Micki…this one I like!!

****

Review by Phil Berisford

March 12, 2006

Micki & Britt Free open
"Cherokee Free's Trading Post"
Click here to read more!

November 19, 2005

See Micki's "MUSIC" page for several recent
interviews and reviews by the English press.

October 24, 2005

Coming Spring 2006
Micki Free's new Native American Flute CD!
"COMANCHE"

Also Coming soon....
"MICKI FREE LIVE!...WORLD WIDE!"

COMING SPRING 2006 “MICKI FREE LIVE…..WORLD WIDE!
A LIVE CD FROM MICKI FREE OF SONGS PERFORMED ACROSS THE WORLD IN 2005…..
FEATURING SONGS FROM; “GYPSY COWBOY” / “ELECTRIC WARRIOR”….
AND THREE JIMI HENDRIX COVERS; “SPANISH CASTLE MAGIC”, “VOODOO CHILE ”…
AND “HEY BABY” / “LAND OF THE NEW RISING SUN”!
A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY TRUE MICKI FREE FAN!

From: MelodicRock.com

Friday, October 21, 2005

MICKI FREE AND JEAN BEAUVOIR HOOK UP FOR NEW PROJECT:

The multi-talented Micki Free is hard at work on new material. He dropped me a note a little while back with some news and updates.
In relation to his currently released solo album: "This CD was not meant to be "melodic rock", with huge hooks and big chorus (that is what I do with Jean in COT).... or in anyway sound like COT.....it was a confusing dark time with dark notes and dark lyrics..."
Micki continues: "Gypsy Cowboy is being re-released ASAP in Europe and the UK as I type on Livewire too...
Here is something you will be very interested in; Jean Beauvoir and I have just finished an EP CD called The9,(we called it that because it was 9 years until we spoke after the nasty breakup of our partnership) titles are; Don't Bleed Me, Cold Dark December, It's Comin' Right Now, The Faceless Ones and Time to Change The World.
Written by Jean and myself, produced by Jean...killer stuff...kind of "modern day Thorns stuff"...(and when I say Thorns I mean the real COT, me and Jean together),...like Thorns meet Audioslave vibe."
We are not sure if we will finish it and go for a full album, as we are both very busy right now....the CD won "Best Pop Rock Recording" at The Native American Music Awards this year...we plan on releasing it, in EP or full CD format....soon."
Thanks for the update Micki. Check out everything else Micki was been involved in via his website: www.mickifree.com.

(Personal note from the WebMaster: Thanks Andrew, you're the best!)

Press Release dated 10/19/05 for immediate release

We are once again proud to announce that Micki Free has won three more awards! His latest accomplishments were at “The 2005 Cherokee International Film Festival” in Tahlequah Oklahoma. They are as follows:

1. Best Native American Flute CD / “Sedona Free”, Produced, Written, Arranged and Performed by Micki Free

2. “Selected Special Screening” Music CD / “Electric Warrior”

3. The *“Ga-du-gi” Award. This Cherokee award is for” Micki working as an individual to promote a better quality of life for this, and future generations of Cherokee people”.

Micki Free said: “As a mixed blood Comanche / Cherokee I am honored to be honored, by my mother’s people”. The event was hosted by Wes Studi, Native American film star, staring in films such as Geronimo, Dances With Wolves, and The Last of The Mohicans, to name a few. Micki expressed interest in someday doing a music project with Mr. Studi, as Wes has a rock and roll band also.

*****

Micki is set to start recording his next Native American Flute CD in December 2005, entitled: “COMANCHE”, LORDS OF THE SOUTHERN PLAINS".

Press Release dated 10/2/05

We are honored to announce that Micki Free, a Comanche / Cherokee, was inducted into the “Tedapukunu” (The Little Ponies Society) by Chairman Wallace Coffey of The Comanche Nation and the Comanche Tribe of Lawton Oklahoma, at The Comanche Nation Fair 2005. The Little Ponies was resurrected in 1972 by Comanche veterans, which organizes and conducts powwows and keeps Comanche traditions alive.

The Comanche Tribe, the Comanche Indian Veterans Association, and the Little Ponies all sponsor tribal gatherings several times during the year. “This is a great honor for me to be accepted as a Little Pony, to carry on Comanche tradition and set an example for our youth”, say’s Micki. Though Micki is not a veteran, Chairman Coffey felt he is a strong Comanche presence in the Native Community and the world at large, setting a positive example for the Comanche people and our youth. Micki’s father was a mixed blood Comanche from south Texas .

“The creation of the Little Ponies in 1972 is evidence of our steadfast hold on our heritage.” “I will do my best as a member of the Comanche Nation, and member of Little Ponies Society to set an example and honor our ancestors in and out of the circle”.

“Now when Comanche people recognize me and or my musical accomplishments, they can proudly say; …Micki is Black Shawl…Micki is Comanche…Micki is Tedapukunu!

10 Questions For Micki Free (U.K. Interview)

FROM VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE ONLINE ARTICLE:
THE HISTORY OF HAMER

More ’80s Hamer artists
In 1985, Hamer artists included: Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Jeff Golub (Billy Squire), Bobby Barth and Ricky Medlock (Blackfoot), Tony Iomi (Black Sabbath), Tommy Thayer and Patrick Young (Black and Blue), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Ben Orr (The Cars), John McCurry (Cindy Lauper), Cody Lee (Cody Lee and the Walk), Steve Vai (David Lee Roth), Tom Lloyd and Dan Zanes (Del Fuegos), Warren Zanes (Dez Dickerson), Gary Moore (Gary Moore Group), G.E. Smith, Harvey Mandell, Gordon Bonnar (Heavy Pettin), Derry Grehan (Honeymoon Suite), Chris Hayes (Huey Lewis & the News), John Waite, Ian Hill and Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest), Fernando Von Arb (Krokus), Paul Dean (Loverboy), Chris “Godzilla” Doliber and Maxine Petrucci (Madame X), Mick Mars and Nicki Sixx (Motley Crue), Jack Blades and Jeff Watson (Night Ranger), Eddie Martinez (Robert Palmer), Robbie McIntosh (Pretenders), Robbin Crosby and Juan Croucier (Ratt), Darren Hill (Red Rockers), Mike Skill (Romantics), Micki Free (Shalamar), Van McLain (Shooting Star), Steve Miller, Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), and Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill (ZZ Top). This list does not include those already mentioned.

(SOURCE: www.vintageguitarmagazine.com)

Revelation Z Magazine Review of Micki Free Experience

EMPIRE
(Micki's early 80's L.A. Band)

Another Empire article

Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County (Illinois)
Famous Residents

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 3/24/05

Cargo Records UK (England) and Micki Free are proud to announce the signing of Micki Free to a European deal for the release of “ The Micki Free Experience” & “Gypsy Cowboy”!

“The Micki Free Experience”, nominated for “Record of the Year”, for “The Native American Music Awards 2005”, is set for European release May 23rd 2005 . “I am very excited about my new partnership with John Dryland and Cargo Records…it’s rare to sign to a label that shares your vision for your music, and is dedicated to promoting it in the manner you think is appropriate! “The fans in England have always been kind to me and respected me, my music, and my vision From “Shalamar” to “Crown of Thorns”, my fans have stuck by me and I am ready to give back to them in spades with my two latest CD’s…”The Micki Free Experience” & “Gypsy Cowboy”. If England was good enough for “Jimi Hendrix”….I think its good enough for me! I can’t wait to see all my old friends again!

Check the site for tour dates in Europe coming soon!

	WINNER!!! BEST POP/ROCK RECORDING the9 featuring Micki Free "Ruff Masters" awarded at 7th Annual Nammy Awards held Thursday February 10 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Congratulations, Micki, on your 2nd Nammy win!! and a big thanks to all who voted!
Click here to sample Micki's nominated recordings!

Micki Jams with actor Adam Beach at Post-Nammy Party!

http://www.indiancountrynews.com/fullstory.cfm?ID=177
Click on link for article, click on picture for full size image.
Photo by Sandra Schulman, News From Indian Country

Nammy Recap from News From Indian Country

7th Annual Grammys Light Up The Sunshine State

Click on link for article, click on picture for full size image.
Photo by Sandra Schulman, News From Indian Country

And the Grande Finale - Improv

Click on link for article, click on picture for full size image.
Photo by Sandra Schulman, News From Indian Country

Click here for more Nammy pictures.

Grammy Winner & Multi Nammy Winner Micki Free & Multi-Nammy Winner Litefoot to record Mash-up CD together!

Grammy Winner and Multi-Nammy winner Micki Free performs with Multi-Nammy Winner Rapper Litefoot!.…Micki and Litefoot will perform a series of “Mash-ups”…When different artists from different genres and musical backgrounds mash together! Imagine…Mixing Litefoots “slammin rhymes” with Micki’s “killer guitar” licks.. fused together to form a new song! Don’t miss this one! Get their “mash-ups” CD on sale at the show:

April 29 & 30, 2005
“Gathering Of Nations Pow Wow”
~Litefoot-N-Free~
BLOOD BROTHERS
Gathering of Nations
University of New Mexico Arena ("The Pit")
Avenida Cesar Chavez Blvd. SE (Hwy. 25, exit #223)
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Micki Free to Headline at Indian Markets
www.indianmarket.net

"SEDONA FREE" ON SALE NOW!
CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION!

To view archived news items, please click here!