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Michael Lynche’s life has been defined by two things: love and second chances. The Florida native and devoted family man’s rise from obscurity was well documented through his riveting appearance on American Idol. Known to America as “Big Mike,” he was famously “saved” by the judges, giving him a second chance to continue through the prized competition.

After wowing millions of fans on American Idol with his comforting and powerful voice and performing throughout the United States as part of the American Idol LIVE! tour, Michael has created his sonically rich and lyrically inviting debut album. The first single, “Who’s Gonna Love You More” has been rising steadily on the Urban Adult Contemporary charts. The second single, “Today” has impacted Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz radio this summer.

Mike’s heartfelt music has been virtually a lifetime in the making. He got his first guitar when he was three and would take his axe to church, where he would mimic the moves of the band’s guitar player. Beyond church, Michael’s mother shared her love of music with Mike and introduced him to a wide range of artistic sounds and styles, including 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bonnie Raitt and Jimi Hendrix.

Even though Mike was enamored with music and the arts throughout his school, his focus eventually shifted to football. Michael’s work on the gridiron was rewarded when he earned an athletic scholarship to University of Central Florida. It was following a break from school to take care of his ailing mother, when Mike bought a guitar and a remarkable thing happened. “For the very first time in my life, I could play and sing at the same time,” Mike recalls. “More clicked for me musically. I was writing music to express what I was going through internally with my mom passing.”

Soon thereafter Mike gave music a second chance, when a friend asked him to perform at his wedding in New York City. While Michael was at that point working in the public school system mentoring gifted and at-risk students, in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, he agreed to perform. It was during that trip, walking through Time’s Square, Mike decided moving to the Big Apple to pursue his musical dreams was the right career path. A few years later, Mike auditioned for American Idol, which launched his recording career.

None of Michael’s remarkable journey would have been possible without the love of his wife and the second chances he has enjoyed throughout his life. Now, with Mike’s new album, signed by Big3 Records and CEO Bill Edwards, Mike gets to live out his dreams, both as a family man and musically. “I’ve wanted to say these things for a long time,” he says. “I feel like I was able to express myself more than ever on this album. I was able to get the things I wanted to say out in song and in melody in a way that I’ve never been able to before.”

1. Michael Lynche

2. Michael Lynche

3. Michael Lynche