Michael Utley
- Gulf and Western
- country
- folk
- rock
- Keyboard player
- Producer
- Keyboard
Michael Edward Utley (born 1947) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and musical director for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band.
Early life and education
Utley was born in Blytheville in Mississippi County, Arkansas. In 1969, he graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in zoology. He then debated either taking pre-med lab exam or going to Memphis and help Tony Joe White record his second album and chose the latter.[1]
In college, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was recognized by Sigma Chi as a Significant Sig in 2017.[2]
Career
In 1970, Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler invited Utley to work at Criteria Studios.[1] Utley worked with the house band for Atlantic Records in Miami, Florida's Criteria Studios backing performers such as Aretha Franklin, Jerry Jeff Walker, and the Allman Brothers and in California playing with Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson.
In 1973, Jerry Jeff Walker recruited Utley to play keyboard instruments on Buffett's first major label album, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean. Utley continued to work with other performers in the mid-1970s while appearing on Buffett's subsequent albums until Buffett's 1977 breakout Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes when he joined the Coral Reefer Band full-time.
Utley has title credit on several albums, the first being an instrumental record with fellow Coral Reefer Band member Robert Greenidge titled Mad Music.
Utley has produced or co-produced several of Buffett albums beginning with One Particular Harbour in 1983. Since 1981, he has toured with the Coral Reefers.[3]
Personal life
Utley's son, Mick, is married to the daughter of Mac McAnally, also a member of the Coral Reefer Band.[4]
In popular media
During Jimmy Buffett's 1979 song "Volcano," Utley's name is mentioned. Right before the first solo, Jimmy Buffett says "Mr. Utley." This leads into the solo.[5]
Discography
- Robert Greenidge & Michael Utley (as Club Trini). Mad Music MCA 5695. (1986). re-released on CD (11/05).
- Robert Greenidge & Michael Utley (as Club Trini). Jubilee (1987). re-released on CD (12/05).
- Robert Greenidge & Michael Utley (as Club Trini). Heat (1988).
- Robert Greenidge & Michael Utley (as Club Trini). Club Trini. (1996).
- Robert Greenidge & Michael Utley (as Club Trini). Back in Town. (1999).
- Robert Greenidge & Michael Utley (as Club Trini). Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night Live. (2000).
See also
References
- ^ a b Hill, Jack W. (February 26, 2012). "Longtime Buffett producer Utley is back in home state". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
- ^ "Sigma Chi Foundation - 2017 Annual Report". November 14, 2017 – via Issuu.
- ^ "Michael E. Utley B.A.'69". University of Arkansas.
- ^ HERNANDEZ, RAOUL (May 27, 2015). "Jimmy Buffett Surfs Stubb's". The Austin Chronicle.
- ^ "Volcano - Jimmy Buffett". Genius.
- v
- t
- e
- Michael Utley
- Greg "Fingers" Taylor
- Mac McAnally
- Robert Greenidge
- Deborah McColl
- Jim Mayer
- Peter Mayer
- Roger Guth
- Ralph MacDonald
- Down to Earth
- High Cumberland Jubilee
- A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean
- Living and Dying in 3/4 Time
- A1A
- Havana Daydreamin'
- Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
- Son of a Son of a Sailor
- Volcano
- Coconut Telegraph
- Somewhere over China
- One Particular Harbour
- Riddles in the Sand
- Last Mango in Paris
- Floridays
- Hot Water
- Off to See the Lizard
- Fruitcakes
- Barometer Soup
- Banana Wind
- Beach House on the Moon
- Far Side of the World
- License to Chill
- Take the Weather with You
- Buffet Hotel
- Songs from St. Somewhere
- Life on the Flip Side
- Songs You Don't Know by Heart
- Equal Strain on All Parts
- You Had to Be There
- Feeding Frenzy
- Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
- Live at Texas Stadium
- encores
- Down to Earth/High Cumberland Jubilee compilations
- Greatest hits compilations: Songs You Know by Heart
- Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads (box set)
- A Pirate's Treasure
- All the Great Hits
- The Great Jimmy Buffett
- Biloxi
- Great American Summer Fun with Jimmy Buffett (EP)
- Calaloo (EP)
- Meet Me in Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection
and musical albums
- Rancho Deluxe soundtrack
- Christmas Island
- Don't Stop the Carnival (musical)
- 'Tis the SeaSon
- "Margaritaville"
- "Come Monday"
- "A Pirate Looks at Forty"
- "Volcano"
- "Fins"
- "Cheeseburger in Paradise"
- "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere"
- "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes"
- "One Particular Harbour"
- "Why Don't We Get Drunk"
- "Southern Cross"
- "Brown Eyed Girl"
- "Son of a Son of a Sailor"
- "God's Own Drunk"
- "Pencil Thin Mustache"
- "Grapefruit—Juicy Fruit"
- "Boat Drinks"
- "Gypsies in the Palace"
- "Jamaica Mistaica"
- "He Went to Paris"
- "Knee Deep"
- "The Great Filling Station Holdup"
- "Hey, Good Lookin'"
- "Surfing in a Hurricane"
- "Trip Around the Sun"
- "Math Suks"
- "Same Boat"
- Live by the Bay
- Music for Montserrat
- Live at Wrigley Field
- Live at Fenway Park
- Live in Anguilla
- Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
- Margaritaville merchandising
- Mailboat Records
- Cheeseburger in Paradise Restaurant
- Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant
- Land Shark Lager
- Jimmy Buffett discography
- Radio Margaritaville
- Hemisphere Dancer
- Savannah Buffett
- Save the Manatee Club
- Tonsil Trouble
- "Margaritaville" (South Park)
- Escape to Margaritaville