Michael Lanning's Bio 　　 　　Michael Lanning began performing in theatre at the age of nine. With an extensive background and training in music and theatre, Michael has been a featured performer in many theatre companies including San Bernardino Civic Light Opera and the legendary Summer Stock, Junior University. Michael has recorded and/or toured with such musical greats as Donovan, Fleetwood Mac, Rockpile, Larry Gatlin, Frank Wildhorn, Mike Post and George Harrison. Michael's band, Jiva, was the first American band signed to the Harrison label, Dark Horse Records, with George serving as their executive producer. 　　 　　Michael's distinctive, yet versatile, style made him a top session vocalist for national television and radio commercials for over a decade. Commercial jingles include the national spots-- "Heartbeat Of America, Chevy truck"," Snickers, There's A Hunger Inside You", "We Build Excitement, Pontiac", "Honda, Come Ride", "Sizzler, sounds good", " Hamm's Beer, Leave the grind behind", just to name a few. As an actor and a singer his credits include Steven Bochco's "Coprock", Wayne's World, "ER", "Thunder In Paradise" and "Baywatch." 　　 　　A songwiter and a music publisher, Lanningsongs have been recorded by producer/guitar legend Dave Edmunds, The Stray Cats, French recording star Slyvie Vartan and many others. As a musician, Michael has mastered guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, drums and percussion, And, is a hunt and peck pianist. Sorry, Mom. 　　 　　Michael starred in both the Tony nominated Broadway and National Tour Productions of composer Frank Wildhorn's "The Civil War". He played Dozer in the World Premiere Musical "Mask" at The Pasadena Playhouse, based on the motion picture starring Cher. He was featured as The Preacher in the World Premiere Musical "Bonnie And Clyde" at The La Lolla Playhouse in the winter of '09 and at The Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, Fla. in the winter of '10, and on Broadway at The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in 2011. He was also a featured vocalist for six years with The Trans-Siberian Orchestra and was introduced as "The most soulful white man on the planet".