Michael Simeon
Michael Simeon is an independent recording artist and producer. As contestant on the 13th and 14th seasons of American Idol, he continues to pursue his passion through every opportunity presented to him. He is the winner of multiple local contests, and was a contestant in the executive producer rounds of Xfactor and America’s Got Talent, Michael is definitely an artist on the rise. Here you can view some of his projects and performances to date. Be sure to check back often, you can be sure to expect great things from this young artist.
About Michael Simeon:
Michael Simeon (Smith) was born in Hattiesburg, MS on September 20, 1993 to Mason and Linda Smith. He is the youngest of three children. Michael’s mom, Linda, was a show choir director at the time. As soon as she was back to work, Michael would spend time in his play pen at show choir practices, piano lessons, and more.
Michael began singing at a young age and was surrounded by constant musical influence. At age seven Michael received his first starter guitar. At age nine, after a year and a half of begging his parents for an actual guitar, he received a Behringer starter kit. The kit was equipped with a Behringer electric guitar and a small amplifier.
At the age of eleven, Michael expressed an interest in playing the drums at his church. He began to play with the worship team in the service.
In the fifth grade, Michael entered a talent show with his friend Brady, and also entered on his own. With his friend as a bandmate, they formed a small two-man band for the talent show. As a solo performance Michael sang “American Soldier” by Toby Keith. As a band, the two received very good reviews and encouraging criticism, but unfortunately did not place. Michael did however place as a solo singer, behind two dancing acts.
Musical growth did not stop there! At age fourteen Michael began to teach himself piano with the help of his mother. In the time from ages 9 to 14 Michael had taken up violin as well, as a part of the strings program with the school.
On July 22, 2009 Michael visited his first studio. He recorded three original songs with the help of Producer Al Herring. One song written and recorded with his brother (Mason Smith II) called “You (Lucky Number 7)”, and the two others “Crazy” and “Baby Let’s Fly” he wrote and recorded on his own. Michael spent the vast majority of his summer writing new songs and learning new guitar riffs.
On April 10, 2010 Michael traveled to a Disney Channel open casting call in Nashville, TN. Information on the casting call had indicated it was for actors and singers. Unfortunately, Michael was not allowed to sing for the producers. Though he did act out a monologue that was later used in an episode of “Good Luck Charlie.” He, like hundreds of others, was turned away without a callback. The experience however, was a wonderful insight into the entertainment industry.
In July of 2010 Michael went to New Orleans, LA for the American Idol Auditions. He traveled with his mother, brother, and sister. They waited through most of two days beginning at 6am waiting for the chance to sing for idol producers. After hours of waiting it was finally his opportunity to sing. He sang “A Whole New World” from Disney’s Aladdin. After he was finished singing the judges deliberated and presented the four idol hopefuls with a disappointing no. When Michael asked the producers the reasoning they told him “You’re what? 16? You have time to grow. You’re good, but you could be amazing.”
Taking the idol producer’s comments to heart, Michael continued to work on, and perfect his craft, all while going to school and playing sports. In December of 2010, he had the opportunity as a Junior to be a part of the 2010 2a State Championship team. It was during the months following this victory that Michael learned how to record his own music at home.
At age 17, Michael began recording music and videos with his mom’s MacBook Pro. He made these videos for fun and to have something funny to show his teachers and friends. With no equipment aside from the computer, Michael found creative ways to record himself.
In the Spring of 2011 he competed in show choir competition solo competitions. While he had been participating in such contests since the age of 12, it was not until then that he began making finals. The most noteworthy competition was the 2011 Purvis Show Choir Invitational where Michael won grand champion singing “BreakEven” by The Script.
On October 29, 2011 Michael released his debut EP titled “Music Therapy.” The album was self-sustaining in its three years on iTunes. The Spring of 2012 brought more success to Simeon in Solo competitions. In one instance, he competed in two competitions on the same day.
Michael graduated in May of 2012 as the 2012 Lumberton High School Valedictorian. This completed a valedictorian trifecta complete with his brother(val. 2009) and sister(val. 2006). In his graduation speech Michael pulled his guitar from beneath the podium and proceeded to sing an original humorous piece written for his classmates.
The Summer of 2012 was spent working as a counselor at the YMCA and recording various local artists in his makeshift home studio.
In the Spring of 2013 Michael made it to the executive producer rounds of both Xfactor and America’s Got Talent. He was cut in each contest after this round. A contestant in Ole Miss Idol, Michael was among the top 5 finalists.
In August of 2013 the American Idol bus tour came to Oxford, MS where Michael attended the University of Mississippi “Ole Miss.” Encouraged by his Chi Psi fraternity brothers, Michael decided to audition for the bus tour. He was one of twelve contestants, out of over one thousand, that made it through to the next round.
The next round of auditions were held in Salt Lake City, Utah. The week spent in Utah was full of video interviews and auditioning for the celebrity judges. Michael received three yeses from the judges to go to Hollywood.
He spent the rest of the semester completing school until finally flying out to Los Angeles. He spent the week in the infamous Hollywood Week. At the completion of the week Michael received disappointing news that he did not make it past the top 48. Head held high Michael accepted the news and went home. His journey had not ended.
Michael was named the 2014 Ole Miss Idol winner, and then in the summer of 2014, Michael received yet another opportunity to audition for American Idol. He decided to give it one more shot in Nashville, TN. When auditioning for the celebrity judges, Michael quickly received three yeses and immediately following, he asked Jennifer Lopez to dance with him. The video received in the upwards of 40 million views on Facebook. Michael went on to be in the top 12 male contestants when he was ultimately sent home.
Michael continues to practice and grow his craft, and is a frequent act in downtown Nashville, TN. At the Ripe age of 29 Michael’s music career is only getting started, and we can’t wait to see what great things this young man has to offer to the music industry!