ABOUT

After three guitar lessons at age 12, Michael Bendure began a lifetime journey of songwriting and public performance. Michael’s past bands and solo projects have led him to perform all over Oklahoma and the region. He co-founded the SongWriters Association Norman (SWAN) in 2009, a non-profit songwriting organization under the umbrella of the Norman Arts Council. Due to his work with SWAN and other Norman arts organizations, Michael earned the community's “Do You Know Your Neighbor” award during the 2010 Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Arts Luncheon, and a Next Under 40 Award in 2012 by Norman NEXT. In 2013, he was named to the SWAN Hall of Fame. His song, “The Road Song,” was featured in a Fowler Volkswagen TV commercial which received a 2015 Gold Addy Award for Local Television :30 Campaign and a Silver Addy Award for Local Television :30. Michael also performs regularly with local bands The Whiskey Gingers and Eventides, which are both co-fronted by his wife, Jenny. He is also an accomplished abstract painter and host of KGOU's Tonic: The Funky Groove Show and 40 Minutes of Funk, and original interview podcast. His greatest (non-funk) musical influences are Tom Petty, Jason Isbell, and John Fullbright.