Michael Pinning
Michael Pinning is an acoustic guitarist, pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born in Palm Desert, California but grew up in the small town of Ramona.
He was raised in the Lutheran Church and attended privite school until his freshman year of high school. After graduating in 2008, he attended Concordia University Irvine for a year studying Youth Ministry, but after several months decided what he really wanted was to be a musician. After many sleepless nights, he made the tough decision to leave Concordia and the promise of a career, to pursue his passion for music. He headed back to San Diego in 2009 and never looked back.
Music has always been Michael’s first love, his fondest memories are being in choir as a child, and being raised with a piano in the living room where he would plunk and write his own songs. His instrument of choice however is the guitar, which he started learning at 11 years old. He still does love the piano, which he started “officially” learning at 16.
Musical talent also runs in Michael’s family. His uncles, Jim Mayer & Peter Mayer, have been the guitarist and bassist for Jimmy Buffet’s “Coral Reefer” band for last 20+ years. His uncle Peter Mayer, is a talented guitarist as well as popular independent artist. Jim Mayer, is a popular children’s musician, known as “Uncle Jim”. Michael’s cousin Brenden Mayer is currently signed to Jimmy Buffet’s Mailboat Records and has toured and performed with Jimmy Buffet.
Michael’s major musical influences are Jason Mraz, Damien Rice, John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, Andy Grammer, The Script, One Republic and his vocal coach, mentor and friend Trevor Davis.
