Michael McMorrow is a renowned producer, musician, creative development and implementation leader of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most prestigious, innovative, large-scale civic and music events, television, music and film projects. His contributions to the Pacific Northwest run deep, from long producing large scale civic events to concert productions featuring up-and-coming artists to world renown superstars. McMorrow’s work captures both a rich tapestry and unique perspective of the Pacific Northwest cultural landscape, while working globally to create art that moves and messages. Michael combines his passion for storytelling with his background in music, broadcast, film and TV production with cutting edge technical production to create opportunities for other like-minded co-conspirators to collaborate and invent.
In 2022, McMorrow led a global team of music industry and media professionals in the creation and production of “Alan White – Celebrating His Life and Music,” an international tribute concert celebrating the life of Alan White, one of the greatest rock drummers of all time. Alan’s seminal work with John Lennon and George Harrison, his 50-year run as the drummer for YES, and his humanitarian legacy will resonate forever. The October 2nd, 2022, show at Seattle’s historic Paramount Theatre included former and current members of YES, Pearl Jam, Queen, Heart, and many others.
In 2023, on the heels of this legendary event, McMorrow formed film company “One Take LLC” with Alan White’s widow and Executive Producer, Gigi White, to produce a new concert documentary tracing the storied career of her long-time husband and partner, which will include footage from the October 2nd show. In addition to One Take, McMorrow and White teamed up with Emmy Award-winning film and television actor, producer, and writer, Tom Skerritt, and his wife Julie Tokashiki, founders of the media company, Triple Squirrels Inc., to produce a musical documentary on the fabled life of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. As a tribute to Alan White, proceeds from the release will benefit his longtime philanthropic partner, WhyHunger, a global charity that focuses on transforming lives through access to nutritious food in underserved communities.
Michael still resides in Washington State and continues to produce and direct a number of projects, including overseeing strategic planning, design, and development of innovative and scalable cloud-based broadcast and film production architecture for RoundGlass; a global company dedicated to improving the health of people everywhere and the planet we share through wholistic wellbeing.
Michael’s recent credits include Director of Creative & Programming for Seattle’s traditional summer festival SEAFAIR, leading development and implementation of innovative live event creative and updated concepts for Seafair’s large-scale events, providing programming leadership while driving the creative vision. Executive Producer – Seafair Television supervising the creative content and the financial aspects of all of Seafair’s highly rated television broadcasts in the Seattle/Tacoma market. Event Producer, Seafair Summer Fourth of July Celebration over Lake Union at Gas Works Park, Seattle , Alaska Airlines Seafair Torchlight Parade, Seattle Produce and drive end-to-end event production and management of signature events. Annual signature programs also include Seafair Weekend Festival and the Union Bank Eats and Beats Downtown Summer Concert Series. SEAFAIR events attract over 2 million people annually.
Entertainment Advisor and Consultant to the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games providing creative and entertainment services. Opening Ceremonies July 1, 2018 at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington- 50,000 spectators and was televised live on ABC Television. Curated and co-produced performances for the ceremony includingMulti-GRAMMY nominated singer, songwriter and producer Charlie Puth, World renowned DJ and record producer Marshmello – who’s garnered more than two billion streams across Spotify alone with more than 40 million monthly listeners, making him the fifth most listened to artist in the world , Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Ann Wilson of Heart; Soul and R&B singer Allen Stone feat. the Rise Choir and Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder, and the Pacific Northwest Indigenous Coast Salish Sea Peoples. Curated and co-produced performances for the closing ceremonies including the 70 piece Amazon Symphony Orchestra and Hey Marseilles.
McMorrow was a main proponent in getting legislation passed in Washington State clearing the way for Music Aid Northwest’s Music Matters License plate fundraising initiative that helps support school music programs in Washington State through its sales.
Other recent highlights include: Creative Consultant on HBO’s Emmy Award winning eight-part documentary series, “Sonic Highways” directed by Foo Fighter Dave Grohl, Executive Producer and Music Director for the historic 50th Anniversary of the Beatles McCaw Hall Opera House in Seattle.
GET BACK
In August of 2014 the City of Seattle, Seattle Center and Seattle’s fabled opera house Marion McCaw Hall tapped McMorrow to produce the historic 50th Anniversary of the Beatles in Seattle; 50 years after the Fab Four embedded themselves into the Northwest’s musical culture and Beatlemania swept the nation. After consulting with Beatle Paul McCartney’s team, Michael took on the position of Executive Producer and Music Director for the historic event.
“As a musician and Northwest native there is no greater honor. Producing this significant Northwest event honoring The Beatles while working alongside the people who brought The Beatles to Seattle in 1964 was a watershed moment.” said Producer and “Get Back” Music Director Michael McMorrow. “This was such a big moment in Northwest music history,”
McMorrow enlistediconic Northwest disc jockey Pat O’Day, who introduced The Beatles on stage at the Seattle Center Coliseum’s first ever concert – 50 years ago – along with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ,Northwest DJ, Marco Collins to host the event. This legendary sold-out event featured an all-star cast of emerging and iconic northwest musicians spanning generations paying homage to the lads from Liverpool by performing the original set The Beatles performed at the 1964 Seattle Coliseum concert followed by “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” performed in its entirety with special musical guests paying tribute to the iconic album backed by the 50 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra.
“Michael McMorrow so brilliantly staged “Get Back” celebrating 50 years since the Beatles made their first visit to Seattle. Great Northwest musicians nearly three dozen, were rehearsed, energized, and truly make that evening at The Opera House, a wonderful Beatles tribute and experience. All thanks to Michael McMorrow, Marco Collins and Myself were the lucky Emcees of the night. A memory generator for me as I was the emcee of the Beatles Seattle show 50 years ago.Thanks Michael for producing that historic event. What a job you did and what an honor to be on that stage with the musicians, and the memories.” Pat O’Day
In 2015 Seattle’s traditional summer festival SEAFAIR recruited Michael to produce SEAFAIR events and program entertainment and music across their events including the annual Seafair Weekend on Lake Washington, Alaska Airlines Torchlight Parade, and the annual Seafair Summer 4th of July on Lake Union at Gasworks Park.
SYNERGIA NORTHWEST
As Executive Producer and Musical Director, Michael produces “Synergia Northwest” His vision and drive draws world-class performers to the annual concerts.
The series blends classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians into one evening of performances that unifies cultures and musical genres in acknowledgement of the area’s deep cultural and musical heritage. McMorrow’s productions have included superstar musicians Mike McCready and Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam), legendary drummer Alan White (YES, John Lennon, George Harrision), Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Michael Shrieve (Santana), Queensryche, Tracy Bonham, members of Heart, Blues Traveler and a host of well-known area musicians – he blends the performances with Hip Hop, Taiko, Samba Reggae, Drum Line and backs the performances with the 50 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra made up of music teachers, freelancers, college students, dedicated amateurs and All State High School classical musicians from area schools including Garfield, Kentridge, Mercer Island, Edmonds/Woodway, Stadium, Inglemoor and more.
Read and hear: Synergia Northwest-MIke McCready, Duff McKagan in Rolling Stone
“Synergia Northwest is all about celebrating the extraordinary talents of our region’s young people and raising awareness for youth music in the Northwest, something that is very close to my heart.” Gerard Schwarz, Conductor Musical Director Seattle Symphony
HISTORY
Michael McMorrow’s first ventures in developing a long list of impactful productions began not long after his college days Central Washington University. And who knew back then, that one of them would result in a behind-the-scene reference in a book currently on the New York Times Best-Sellers List. This would start in 1991, when he produced the internationally documented Support The Troops Concert for Peace Benefit at Paramount Theatre. The event aided the International and American Red Cross during the first Gulf War Crisis.
Among the many artists performing were Alice in Chains, Chris Cornell, McMorrow’s own band The Yarddogs, The Total Experience Gospel Choir, and Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson debuted their newly formed band The Lovemongers that night. Their process of forming the band for the event, developing the music for the event and experiencing a new take on their music from performing that night is covered in Heart’s new book ‘Kicking and Dreaming’ . McMorrow was unaware at the time that getting them involved in the concert would go on to have such a profound impact on the way that Heart would approach its music from then on.
In 1997, he, along with Brendan Hill of the Grammy-award winning rock band Blues Traveler, founded the nationally recognized rock band Stolen Ogre. The two met while on the H.O.R.D.E. Festival that featured artist such as Dave Matthews Band, Lenny Kravitz, Natalie Merchant and Blues Traveler. Along with performing, Michael also produced and wrote for the band. In 2005, Stolen Ogre was named National Relix Magazine Jamoff Winner with the McMorrow composed “Icing”. The band successfully garnered national college radio airplay and in 2006 was highlighted as “Top Band To Watch,” among some of the best unsigned bands in the country.
In 2010 with deep concern for the rich legacy of Northwest music and youth access to public and private music education, Michael conceived and developed Synergia Northwest.
In 2011 as word of Synergia Northwest and his work spread, McMorrow was appointed as Musical Director for Broadway Choreographer Joey McKneely from West Side Story for STG’S 13th Annual “DANCE This”. McKneely studied under Jerome Robbins and reproduced and rejuvenated the choreography for the Tony Award Winning Broadway revival that opened in 2009 as well as directed several major productions of West Side Story around the world.
STG invited McMorrow back in 2013 to be the Music Director for Jennie Ford, Tour Captain and Choreographer of Broadway’s Evita. Michael recruited student musicians from Seattle’s Kentridge High School to perform in the pit orchestra alongside professional orchestra players.
Michael continues to pursue outlets to apply his experience in both the international community, and overall with community building projects. He continues to write, record and perform on various projects. and as always with McMorrow, new musical threads are woven and the good outcome continues.