Michael C Ford was born on the Illinois side of Lake Michigan and is a Grammy/Pulitzer Prize poet . His debut spoken word vinyl {on SST} LANGUAGE COMMANDO earned a Grammy nomination in 1986. His book of Selected Poems EMERGENCY EXITS was honored by a 1998 Pulitzer Prize nomination.

His last CD FIRE ESCAPES was bankrolled in 1995 by New Alliance: produced at Sonora by Michael Campagna who also composed and orchestrated most of the charts.

He concluded a recording project: a verbal rhapsody which pays an important tribute to both the art and the history of percussion; collaborating with DOORS cofounder John Densmore at the drum kit.

MCF has participated in keeping THE DOORS open by occasionally being in the company of keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Since their milestone appearances at McCabe’s (1986-1989) they’ve been collaborating on several voice and piano recording dates {the most recent being a specially conceived track titled EXTREME UNCTION FOR JAMES DOUGLAS MORRISON for Hen House Studios anthology Vol. 4}.

Besides publishing music journalism, essays and assays on other aspects of American cultural history, he’s served as judge and panelist for literary arts organizations and publishers.

Ford’s plays have been staged internationally, and a screenplay version of a West Coast production of BLONDES DON’T BOTHER TO KNOCK is currently in production.

He’s been called into service to teach in USA county area middle-schools and high-schools through the PEN in the Classroom program: also at many nationwide universities; and to recite at various venues: many times with musical accompaniment.

"Drumming" a collaboration with Doors drummer John Densmore - Michael C Ford have and John Densmore have had a long relationship beginning at the time of the Doors original formation, when Michael passed up the opportunity to become the Doors bass player to pursue his poetry. They recently wrote a piece together entitled "Drumming" depicting the history of drumming in he USA. Michael recites the prose as john exemplifies the reflected styles on his drum set on this Hen House Studios produced video. (Watch the video "Drumming" below)

Michael C Ford also appears on:

Hen House Studios Anthology 2 (CD/Mp3) is the second installment of four from our Hen House compilation series featuring bands from in and around southern California who recorded in our studio for free in exchange for the right to be filmed. Highlighted on this CD are Fishbone, The Skeletones, Superbroke and Fanny Franklin.

Purchase /Preview Hen House Studios Anthology 2 (CD/Mp3)

Hen House Studios Anthology 4 (CD/Mp3) is the fourth installment of four from our Hen House compilation series featuring bands from in and around southern California who recorded in our studio for free in exchange for the right to be filmed. Highlighted on this CD are Fan Fiction, Badfish, Boom Shaka and Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarak with poet Michael C Ford.

Purchase /Preview Hen House Studios Anthology 4 (CD/Mp3)

Los Angeles Bards - Live In Pasadena is an anthology that continues the long and distinguished relationship between poetry and baseball. Michael C Ford has scoured the sandlots of Southern California to compile a stellar lineup of heavy-hitting and rubber-armed literary figures, eager to take their swings and toss some metaphors for the newest team on the sporting scene, the Los Angeles Bards.

Purchase/Preview Los Angeles Bards - Live In Pasadena (CD/Mp3)

Welcome 2 The Hen House is a documentary film from Venice, California that brings you on a fantastical journey where some 50 bands record for free in exchange for the right to be filmed, and where one’s mind is blown away on a surreal mix of super 8 film footage and animation.”

Purchase/Preview Welcome 2 The Hen House (DVD)