Destin's saxman now ‘The Voice'

Everyone probably knows a person who touched their life in a wonderful way and made it better — someone who was a person of conviction, warmth, inspiration and true beauty.

Destin’s saxman, Michael J Thomas, knew a person like that — a girl named Amy — and his first vocal, “I Think About Amy”, is a tune that sticks in your mind about that girl.

To listen to Michael J Thomas’ new vocal, click here.

In October 2010, Thomas began writing a lot of new material during a difficult and painful period in his life.

“It was just flowing out of me and it helped me cope,” Thomas told The Log.  “This song came out of that time period, and because it was so personal to me I didn't want anyone else to sing it.” 

The maxi-single, written and performed by Thomas, saxophonist and now vocalist, blends the best elements of contemporary jazz and R&B with sweet popular flavorings to produce an unforgettable melody that tells a heartfelt story.

On the vocal track, he tells the story with words and the instrumental track features him singing through his Yamaha Custom Z alto saxophone.

 “The hook of the song, ‘I think about Amy, I think about her all the time, Can't get her out of my mind’ — was the first melody and lyrics that popped into my head,” Thomas said. “It was a shock to me because these are real feelings I had about a girl named Amy, but I buried them. Amazing that they resurfaced at this time of my life.”  

Thomas just started singing last year, and vocals became new to him.

“I've been playing and recording the saxophone professionally for many years, but going into the studio to cut vocals was very intimidating for me, because I'm not a vocalist,” he said.  

“To my surprise, it turned out really well and it's being released to radio nationwide on Aug. 29 under the Woodward Avenue Records label, and we are pushing the vocal more than the instrumental.” 

Thomas, born in 1978 in Cecilia, Ky., a small town outside Elizabethtown, began playing the saxophone at the age of 12. He says he was drawn to the sax because of its unique shape, and his long hours of practice and dedication paid off as his talent was soon discovered. The winner of numerous talent shows, he made All-State Jazz Band and was awarded the John Philips Sousa Award in his senior year of high school.

After attending the University of Kentucky for two semesters on a music scholarship, his love for performing took over, and at the age of 19 he toured with a band named Jive Rockets. He also opened for a variety of known acts, including Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy and Bill Haley's Original Comets.

In 1999, Thomas moved to the Emerald Coast and now performs at local establishments, festivals, concerts and in private venues. In 2006, Thomas was named Best of the Emerald Coast in the Best Musician/Vocalist Band category.

He has performed five nights a week at Ruth’s Chris Steak House since they opened in 2006, and now has added vocals to his program.

“I see myself as a saxophonist first, but if my career was to take me in a more vocal direction, I'll just go with it,” Thomas said.  “As long as I'm still creating good music and enjoying what I do, I'll be happy.”

At a concert at the Saenger Theater in June as the opening act for Acoustic Alchemy, Thomas performed only original saxophone material.

“Had a blast doing it,” he said. “I do plan on incorporating ‘I Think About Amy’ into my show in Reno next week, but that will probably be the only vocal I do. I enjoy singing, but I'm still most comfortable playing the saxophone.”

Next month, Thomas will fly to Los Angeles to record with double Grammy award winning music producer Paul Brown.

“We are recording a song that I co-wrote with local musician Shannon Wallace, titled ‘Without You’. The song will feature a guest vocalist, Wendy Moten, who currently tours with Julio Iglesias.

“Because of ‘I Think About Amy’, I am singing on my live shows, and it adds more depth to what I do, and am, as an artist. It also gives me a break from playing the saxophone, which is great because the saxophone is such a physically demanding instrument.”