Michael Ubaldini was on his way up. Los Angeles Times Music Critic, Mike Boehm had declared, “Michael Ubaldini is better than Bruce Springsteen at probing the National soul.” Ubaldini was either playing or sharing the stage with Brian Setzer, Lucinda Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dave Alvin, Judy Collins, Dwight Yoakum, John Doe, or The Blind Boys of Alabama. His book, “Lost American Nights: Lyrics and Poems” had published. The late Joe Strummer and the legendary John Fogerty were showing up at shows, as was Seymour Stein of Warner Brothers. He toured all over the US and UK and won numerous awards including Disc of the Year and #10 best album of the decade and 21st Best song of the decade ‘Poem To my Country from the LA Times for his record, “Acoustic Rumble”( reissued in a legacy edition in 2023).
But Ubaldini was about to be thrown a curve. Unbeknownst to him, the Orange County, CA musician was suffering from a heart-valve infection known as endocarditis and on Thanksgiving Day 2009 the disease announced its presence. Unable to stand or move his left arm, Ubaldini was rushed to the hospital. Once diagnosed, doctors told him that he wouldn’t be able to walk or play guitar again, but on Christmas Day his hand opened up and he was able to play guitar. “It was a miracle,” states Ubaldini. Hospitalized for 6 more weeks the musician underwent intense physical therapy and was able to complete his recovery. Five years later in 2015 he collapsed onstage &flat lined – but was saved again by yet another Godly miracle.
It’s been a hard climb back, (the story was reported by CNN, as well as several newspapers) but Michael Ubaldini was determined to make his mark in the music world. Less than a year later he was opening for the Blasters and Judy Collins and recorded acclaimed records the pure honky tonkin’, Last of the Honky Tonks. More recently raw Folk albums Song Of Our Time & Music Notes from the underground & his Roots Rockin’ Gospel Blues & countrified barrelhouse Rabbit Foot Carnival - all released in the last four years filled with his poetic verse like no other songwriter on the scene.
With the new EP under his belt as a prelude to his new album now being recorded in Nashville TN, Storms Of Trouble the limited edition EP will be released in the U.S. on April 30 & all songs will also be available on all streaming services. Storms of Trouble was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs and on analogue tape vocals and all. Michael Ubaldini’s known for stripping things down until all that’s left is raw and honest music and this record, holds true to that credo. “I want to lay waste to this fake, studio-created music”, Ubaldini told The Orange County Register, noting that in these days of overproduction and tracking as well as people not in the same room playing together his album being recorded in Nashville and new EP like his past releases is “Feel over fraud.”
The record presents 3 brand new songs (along with two bonus tracks) songs all written by Ubaldini whose nickname, “The Rock and Roll Poet” was given to him by fans. From the superb opener "Storms Of Trouble" to "Lost In The Shuffle" and "Long Road back to Californy" we hear a true American roots inspired songwriter. Recalling the music of Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan,Grams Parson, Hank Williams and even Joe Strummer, his songs on past records have held mirrors up to society also filled with characters and echoed the forgotten regular folks where as these new songs and bonus tracks recall his own troubled fortunes and path to personal redemption and relationships. The record has the feel of old-style roots without seeming retro. Along with Michael on guitar and vocals is Jeremy Long on Piano/organ, John Mctuige the third drums and Jared Manzo on Bass
The two rare bonus tracks ‘Tombstone Woman’ and ‘One Good Woman Blues’ were recorded in Austin TX mastered by Jerry Tubb who’s worked on records by John Lennon, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Paul McCartney.
Ubaldini has been playing all over Nashville TN. & the Los Angeles area and plans to be back on the road in 2025 with regular stints at The Bluebird Café In Nashville TN. Coming full circle, his book “Lost American Nights” is in it’s 2nd Edition released by Moontide Press and Michael is also the founder creator of ‘Outlaws Of Folk Music Series™ -a showcase that along with himself performing includes different folk singers each month & is in its 17th year and created the new 21st century Folk Music Scene on the West Coast- He also has an indie Radio show of the same name.
When asked about his immediate music career goals, Ubaldini takes a moment and then answers genuinely, “I’d like to be a link in the chain of American music songwriters”.
Robert Kinsler
