I been playing music, writing songs, and performing both solo, and with my partner, Geri McGilvray for over 30 years. I've flirted with electric rock, blues and country, but have finally come to realize what I knew all along, that a good song is a good song, no matter what genre it is written for or played in.
My primary instrument is guitar, but I play a bit of mandolin as well. When I play out, I play everything from gritty '60s rock to gospel, with a bit of country and blues. I can also do sets of just originals, or any mix of originals, traditionals and reimagined covers. I normally read the room and play what I think will work, and I usually get it right.
I also sing with my partner, Geri McGilvray. When Geri and I play out, we play our own brand of folk, blues and country with vocal harmonies.
Here's me chillin' in my backyard with one of my favorite guitars.
You came here for the music, right? Here you go.
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Soundcloud Listen for free. |
Bandcamp Sample a copy and buy it if you want |
Youtube Many videos of Mike and Geri. Video by Rich Pasco |
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Why Don't You Tell Me You're Leaving How
Would I Know? What Are You Doing Right Now (c) Geri McGilvray |
Mike and Geri
As I said, I often play with my partner, Geri McGilvray. Here we are at a gig at Moods Wine Bar:
You can watch videos of us in the list above. She is also featured on the album Ride the Wind on Bandcamp, and she has a cool art website: Geri McGilvray – Fine Artist.
Covered Songs
Other people have covered my original songs. Here's Jodie Jean Marston singing “The Land of Nevermore” on Bandcamp. People have also covered Fourteen Sturdy Lumberjacks and That's the Way It Is.
Covers and Traditionals
I play covers and traditionals; I just don't publish covers online. My list includes songs by Bob Dylan, John Prine, Pink Floyd, Credence, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon and many others. I also play traditional songs such as Shady Grove and Little Maggie. They are all played in my acoustic-based folk/folk rock style.
Many of these songs have great singalong parts, and I encourage the audience to participate when it is appropriate.
More Videos
Michael Lynn Bechler and Geri McGilvray singing "Grandpa Was a Sailor" at the Coho Cafe on the Stanford campus
Michael Lynn Bechler and Geri McGilvray singing four original songs on the main stage of the San Francisco Free Folk Festival, accompanied by Calvin Murasaki on violin
Contact Information
650 387 1940
All the songs on this site are copyrighted by Michael Lynn Bechler unless otherwise noted.
Michael is a member of ASCAP.