Draft:Michael Cristiano

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Michael Cristiano
Born	(1964-03-25) March 25, 1964
Origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Rock | Pop | Easy Listening
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Composer, Producer, Musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar, Piano & Drums
Years active	1978 - present
Labels	Ambition Entertainment
Member of	The Original Seekers
Formerly of	Fisk & Cristian
Website	michaelcristiano.com

Michael Cristiano (born 25 March 1964) is an Australian producer, performer, songwriter, musician and composer. He has contributed to numerous chart-topping albums and successful live performances across a wide range of musical genres including his association with The Seekers. Over the course of his career, Cristiano has worked with notable Australian and international artists and has been involved in both solo projects and collaborations. Cristiano joined The Seekers in 1988 as Guitarist, and in 1992 as their Music Director and Producer. In April 2019, after releasing Farewell, a live recording from their 2013 50th anniversary tour, Judith Durham's retired with Cristiano joining as the groups"fourth voice" with a new studio album titled Back to Our Roots as "The Original Seekers".

In May 2023, Cristiano was announced as Life Ambassador for Australia Day by the Victorian Government.

In September 2023, Cristiano joined Ambition Entertainment as Producer and in-house creative partner.

In October 2023, Australian singer-songwriter Russell Morris released The Real Thing: Symphonic Concert, a live album produced by Michael Cristiano under the label Ambition.

In November 2024, Cristiano performed at Denis Walter's Carols By The Bay in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Early Life and Musical Development

Michael Cristiano was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, in a musically inclined family. His father, who played guitar and sang folk songs and opera, inspired Cristiano's early interest in music. He began classical guitar lessons at the age of six and by his early teens, Cristiano had become a proficient guitarist and expanded his musical interests to include rock, fusion, and jazz, studying under Melbourne guitarist Ray Smith. A multi-instrumentalist, Cristiano also plays piano and drums.

International Touring Acts

In the mid-1980s, Cristiano performed with a variety of prominent Australian and international artists, including Helen Shapiro, Johnny Ray, The Coasters, The Platters, Al Martino, Ricky May, and The Supremes, among others. Cristiano also performed as the opening act for major international acts like Dionne Warwick and Blood Sweat & Tears.

His role as a performer and musical director grew, and he eventually became the musical director for the Australian group The Seekers. In this capacity, Cristiano contributed to the production of numerous albums and helped the band maintain its popularity, performing with them at major venues such as Wembley Stadium and the Royal Albert Hall.

Solo and Collaborative Work

In the mid-1990s, Cristiano formed a duo with country music artist Donna Fisk, known as Fisk & Cristian. The duo recorded and released three albums, receiving industry recognition with awards including Vocal Duo of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artists of the Year. Their single "Lara" became a chart-topping hit, and their Australian Football League anthem, Rock 'N Footy, was performed to a live audience of 100,000 at the 1998 AFL Grand Final.

Production Career and Recognition

Cristiano is also known for his work as a record producer. He has worked with a variety of artists, including The Seekers, Judith Durham, Russell Morris, Gene Pitney, and Mirusia. His production work has contributed to numerous gold and platinum-selling albums, and his name is associated with many successful releases in the Australian music industry.

Recent Projects and Releases

Back to Our Roots (2019)

In 2019, Cristiano collaborated with the founding members of The Seekers—Athol Guy, Keith Potger, and Bruce Woodley—to produce Back to Our Roots, an album that revisited classic songs from the group's early years. The album was well received, and the group, known as The Original Seekers, embarked on a national tour to promote it.

Forever Grateful (2020)

In 2020, Cristiano released the song Forever Grateful, which was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song, which expressed gratitude to healthcare workers, became popular internationally and continues to be associated with the pandemic's global impact.

Mai Finirà (2024)

In November 2024, Cristiano released his all-Italian album, Mai Finirà. All twelve tracks are performed by Cristiano (both vocals and instruments), and self produced.