Micki
Free Biography
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Gene
Simmons, of the legendary rock group “Kiss”, discovered
Micki while on tour in the Midwest.
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After moving to Los Angeles in the late eighties,
(see article on Micki's L.A. Band "Empire")
Micki set in motion a
career that would spawn three Grammy nominations with the group “Shalamar”,
along with being managed by, and touring with Diana Ross, jamming with Prince,
and playing guitar on Janet Jackson’s record. Micki won the Grammy in
1985 for “Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture”; the
movie was Eddie Murphy’s “Beverly Hills Cop”. During his stint with
Shalamar, Micki received Three Platinum Albums for The Song “Footloose”,
from the movie of the same name. Micki has also received a Gold album for his
song “Don’t get Stopped in Beverly Hills”, on the “Beverly Hills Cop”
soundtrack.
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After his stint with Shalamar, Micki went on to form his band “Crown
Of Thorns” managed by his long time friend and mentor Gene Simmons, along with
his partner from Kiss, Paul Stanley. Micki co-wrote all of the songs for
this record and also co-produced the album with Paul Stanley.
After three tours of Europe, Japan, Sweden England, and America, Micki
decide to go solo. The outcome was a CD written, produced and arranged by Micki.
It is entitled “Black Moon..
Black Sun”.
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| Micki Free is a mixed blood Cherokee-Comanche
Indian, and has thus
“added” a new chapter in his life, having chosen to “walk the red path”
of his heritage, as a proud and blessed Native American.
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Micki’s CD
“~Micki Free/Gypsy Cowboy~ (a
name given to him by fans in Europe and England) ~Electric Warrior~”, its
blues-rock style is haunting and reminiscent of the late, great Jimi Hendrix.
This awesome CD was nominated for 7 “Nammys”,
and a finalist in three categories; “Debut Artist of The Year”, “Best Pop/
Rock Recording of The Year”, and “Best Male Artist of The Year”.
Micki Free was
a special guest performer at The 5th Annual Native
American Awards held in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 7, 2002,
and went on to win the “Best Male
Artist Award 2002”!
Congratulations,
Micki!
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THE
SUN~CHASER
Micki’s newest CD, a contemporary flute CD, on which Micki plays the Native
American flute, Spanish guitar, and piano, is entitled “The Sun~Chaser” and
received the 2003 Nammy nomination for Best Producer.
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Micki Free also has a web site for his two companies; www.cherokeefrees.com,
“Cherokee Free’s Native American
Jewelry” and his clothing company “True
Native”, (images of Micki in full regalia silk-screened on t-shirts, pillows,
jean jackets, and his ladies line of rhinestone and studded women’s garments)
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Micki was seen on the cover of “Indian
Gaming Magazine” May issue 2002, along with a full page interview with
Micki in their “Who’s Who” segment, and "Native
Peoples" magazine featured Micki in their "On The Wind" news
page in their September/October 2002 Issue, and the January 2003 issue of
"Cowboys and
Indians" Magazine contains an article on Micki Free.
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Micki Free is also known for his historical ride down Colorado Blvd in
Pasadena, as a “Native American Northern Plains Warrior” in “The
Tournament of Roses Rose Parade. Micki
and his paint horse “Ty-ee”, have been riding in the “The Tournament of
Roses Parade" going on three years now; they ride as members of “The
Spirit Of The West Riders”, led by historian Phil Spangenberger,
(“The History of The Gun, on “The History Channel”). The group rides for
“The John Wayne Cancer Institute”.
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A life member of “SASS”
(the Single Action Shooting Society), a member of “CMSA”,
(“Cowboy Mounted-Shooting Association”, and a “Champion Mounted
Shooter”. Micki and his paint horse Ty-ee (meaning “Chief-Brings-Down
The-Sun”), have starred in the last three years of SASS’s “Wild West”
show riding as “Crazy Horse”. Micki has also starred with western actor Peter
Sherakyo (Texas Jack Vermillion), in “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” at
“The Autry Museum Of Western Heritage”. (You folks might know Peter from the
smash hit western “Tombstone, also starring Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell.)
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Micki and Ty-ee are members of “The California
Desperados”, a mounted shooting club in southern California, and are four
time champions in their division. You
can also see Micki and Ty-ee on the History Channel. Micki is riding as the
infamous Comanche Chief “Ten Bears”; the name of the segment is “The
History of The Texas Rangers”.
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Micki and Ty-ee have also been painted by world-renowned painter and
artist Robert Tanenbaum, (The John Wayne Family and The Franklin Mint
commissioned Tanenbaum to paint 24 portraits of John Wayne’s life). Micki and Ty-ee are a
sought after team in southern California, and the world, for Wild
West Shows, Parades, and most any other Equestrian event which
shows style, and connection between horse and rider.
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| Micki Free is currently working on
several upcoming projects. See NEWS page
for the latest! |
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