Like his song "Jack of All Trades" says, California songwriter Michael Gaither has done a bit of everything: journalist, teacher, even a joke writer for Jay Leno. All roads eventually led him to music. And writing.

Michael favors songs with stories and tales of day-to-day life: Big cars. Bad drivers. A baby's first steps. Dogs and horses. His debut CD, the 2006 release "Spotted Mule and Other Tales", is an Americana mix of folk, bluegrass, and a little gospel. "Entertaining an Angel," from that record, was a finalist in the 2007 Indie Artists Alliance "Songwriters and Storytellers" contest. "Good God Man How Big a Car Do You Need?," also from "Spotted Mule...", was featured on NPR's "Car Talk" with "Click 'n' Clack".

"Dogspeed", the 2009 follow up, is another Americana story collection. Most of the songs are autobiographical this time out and cover similar ground. "Dogs" is the animal motif on this record, as conveyed in "Roselle" the true story of a four-legged hero from 9-11. There are also stories of rock concerts past, a nostalgic trip back to his father's career building county roads and state highways, and a bittersweet look at a small farm town overrun with development. The humorous "bad driver, big cars" thread from the first record continues on "Dogspeed" with "Hang It Up", a rant about cell phone abuse.

Besides performing his own material, Michael runs a monthly open mic and songwriter's night at the Wooden Nickel Bar and Grill on the central California coast has promoted and played at California festivals including the annual "Vintner's Festival Weekend" at Roudon-Smith Winery and "November-Fest" at Pacific Crest Apiaries (a local honey farm).

Michael also produces and hosts "Songs and Stories", a bi-monthly songwriting podcast which features stories behind his songs and interviews with other songwriters. (He also appreciates hearing other people's stories.) "Songs and Stories" can be heard on his web site at www.michaelgaither.com, in iTunes (it's a free subscription), on Grateful Dread Radio every Friday evening at 7 pm (EST), on KC Cafe Radio every Saturday mornings at 9 am and Sunday afternoon at 4 pm (also EST).