Anyone involved in the music scene on the Central Coast in the early 2000s will remember the bespectacled, curly-haired figure and clear voice of Michael Shelton, a regular fixture at open mics and concerts in Lompoc, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and everywhere between.
Originally from Texas, Shelton came to the Central Coast while serving in the U.S. Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base in the late 1990s. He played guitar since he was 11 years old, Shelton told the Sun, and started writing songs and hosting open mics in Lompoc in 2001. He moved away several years ago but came back soon after and settled in Atascadero.
“Why would I ever leave the Central Coast?” he said.
Shelton has a number of shows lined up for the rest of year, including several in the Santa Ynez Valley. He has a good relationship with a few venues and is always looking for new ones.
The Good Life is a favorite, Shelton explained, but he’s also going to perform at the new Naughty Oak Brewing Company in Santa Ynez. Shelton said that the heart of wine country is a great place for singer/songwriters to perform.
“I just love the people up there,” he said. “In all the travels I’ve done and all the places I’ve played, there are very few places that I have seen people enjoy music at the level that they do in that area.”
Shelton said that most of the visitors in the area are looking to “relax and unwind,” but many are “true, diehard music fans.” Many of those listeners have heard Shelton perform before, he said, and some are familiar faces from years of concerts.
“It’s just so rewarding to know that people are there because they really do enjoy the music,” he said. “I mean, they get up and they dance and they clap and they sing along, it’s just a blast.”
One can hear an array of influences in Shelton’s music, while his songs still speak for themselves without sounding derivative. He cited artists like The Cure, Simon and Garfunkel, and Elliott Smith as influences, especially on his songwriting.
“The songs are definitely very personal,” he said. “So I kind of carry a ‘heart on my sleeve’ approach when songwriting.”
Shelton is devoted to the acoustic guitar. His rig has hardly changed since he started, but he includes a couple extras, like a looping pedal (used sparingly) and a tambourine he plays with his foot. He plays guitar with a comfortable authority, balancing chords and clear melodic lines while accompanying his singing.
His songwriting style has evolved and seasoned over the years, even if his setup hasn’t changed much. A soulful indie/pop sound that favors a clear and heartfelt vocal line over technical bravado is what makes Shelton more than just the guy in the corner of your favorite brewery or coffee house—he’s a local institution, an artist who hasn’t faded away for good reason.
The ongoing relationship with his audience has been a big driver in creativity, Shelton said. He gets excited to share a new song with friends and fans on the Central Coast, and their feedback resonates in his writing process.
“There is definitely a cadre of music fans who will come to every single show,” Shelton said. “It’s almost like family after a while, you know.”
Managing Editor Joe Payne remembers seeing Shelton at open mics at Hunters Landing. Contact him at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 30 – Dec 7, 2017.