With musical roots connecting him to Albert King, Freddie King and Albert Collins, Burks’ sound and style are all his own.

After years of performing without a record, Michael released his self-produced debut, From The Inside Out, in 1997. The album confidently announced Michael’s intention to take the blues world by storm. His impassioned, string-bending solos, combined with his fiery tone and smoldering vocals, left no doubt that Michael Burks was an emotionally-charged blues powerhouse. Critics and fans loved what they heard. Blues Access proclaimed From The Inside Out to be “the most impressive indie in recent memory,” and Living Blues rated it as one of “the best debut discs of the year.”

In 2000, Burks received a W.C. Handy Blues Award nomination for Best New Artist even though he was already a hard-working professional. It had become clear that Burks had to pursue his musical career full-time once again. Fueled with a tank full of positive reviews, Michael began to play more festivals than ever before, appearing at the Chicago Blues Festival, Telluride Blues Festival, Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, and Kalamazoo Blues Fest and making headlining appearances at the Mississippi Muddy Waters Blues Fest, Arkansas River Blues Fest, and the Blind Willie Blues Fest, among others.

Burks joined the Alligator family in 2001 and released the critically acclaimed MAKE IT RAIN. The Chicago Sun-Times called the album “chilling and heartfelt.” Billboard agreed, declaring, “Burks is a powerhouse blues guitar slinger…he blasts through licks like Clapton used to play–think lightning–just because he can. He is a great guitarist.” Vintage Guitar shouted, “Gospel-ringed, sweet and nasty. Burks will warm your heart at the same time he puts a chill down your back.”

Burks immediately hit the road in support of the CD, bringing his blistering blues to fans across the country and throughout Europe and Australia as well, with gigs at clubs, concert halls and major festivals everywhere. The unstoppable, heartfelt intensity that Michael brings to the stage lies at the very core of his appeal. Dedicated fans around the country and in Europe already know and appreciate the sweat, hard work and intensity he pours out each night.

A constant string of performances at premier festivals and clubs continues to add even more word-of-mouth fuel to the fire. His deep, soul-infused music and undeniable charisma have proven Michael Burks to be an overwhelming force in the blues. With I SMELL SMOKE and continued touring, Michael Burks is igniting a fire in the blues world that will continue to burn for a long time to come.