Michael Dolce
Irwin Thomas
Born in New York City, Irwin Thomas (Jack Jones) arrived in Australia as a ten year old. Even as a youngster, Irwin began showing an incredible talent with his guitar playing. At fourteen Irwin was already playing professionally. At the same time, he was earning a reputation as a very accomplished and well respected studio musician.
After heading back to the United States to further study his craft, Irwin eventually returned to Australia and joined the successful 90's band 'Southern Sons' as lead singer/guitarist. Three Albums, Multi Platinum Sales and a string of hits such as "Heart In Danger", "Always & Ever", "Hold Me In Your Arms","Waiting For That Train", "I Can't Wait Any Longer", "Lead Me To Water", "You Were There", Don't Tell Me What's Right (Feat Colin Hay'Men At Work') & "Trust In Me".
His vocal ability was highly praised by both fans and musical peers alike... He has not only enjoyed success in Australia, but in Asia, Canada, Germany, & throughout Europe. Confirming he is a major talent worthy of recognition.His touring and recording credits are equally as impressive. Working as singer/ guitarist with Multi Platinum Artists such as: Guy Sabastian, John Farnham, Glen Shorrock (Little River Band), Tina Arena, Tommy Emmanuel, Rick Price, Merryl Bainbridge, Graham Goble (Little River Band), RichardClapton, Garry Beers (INXS), Dweezil Zappa, Ahmet Zappa, Jeff Jacobs (Foriener), Schuyler Deale (Michael Bolton, Billy Joel), Crystal Talefiero (Billy Joel), Joe Travers (Billy Idol, ZappaPlaysZappa), Deb Byrne, Stoolz Roachman & the Idiot Sevilles, Renee Geyer, Bachelor Girl, Anthony Warlow, DeanGuyer, Daniel Bedingfield, Jon Stevens, Ian Moss, Doug Parkinson, Jeff Martin (The Tea Party), Mark Seymour (Hunters & Collectors), Jon Toogood (Shihad), John Waters, Dean McGrath (Hungry Kids of Hungry), Tim Morrison (Trial Kennedy), ROACHFORD and countless others.
In 2000 Irwin and INXS Bassist Gary Beers released a band project called "MUDHEAD.." (Lead Vocals, Songwriting, Guitars & assorted instruments) 2002 was a big year. Irwin released his first solo offering entitled 'The Evolution of Irwin Thomas' which received critical acclaim across the board in Australia and had him as the opening act for Matchbox Twenty on their National Australian Tour.
That same year Irwin & his band joined the likes of Garbage, Nickleback, Billy Idol, Lifehouse, The Tea Party, Midnight Oil on 'The M1 Tour' around Australia. Irwin was also asked to perform at The HMV Awards, which was the beginning of a long standing relationship with dear friend Stuart Fraser(Manager HMV Superstore in the U.K. and onto the role of Managing Director of HMV Australia & South East Asia). 'The Evolution of Irwin Thomas' wasn't HMV's 'Album of the Week.' It was their 'Album Of The Year.' A bold and unprecedented move by HMV.
2005 took Irwin to the U.K. for 9 months as a 'hired gun', playing guitar for Daniel Bedingfield on his U.K. & European Tours plus a stint writing with artist & partner in crime 'Rusty Brown (Mr. Brown, Electric Mary) for his MIDEM offering 'Made In China'.
2006. Irwin was asked to join some of Australia's finest artists in celebrating and interpreting Classic Artists such as 'Bob Dylan', 'The Rolling Stones' & 'Led Zeppelin..' Artists included Steve Balbi, Spencer P Jones, Simon Meli, Zkye & Danny Marx Young.In 2007, Irwin was approached by Tim Woods & Phil Bathols (Spriritworks) to join some of Australias most respected and iconic vocalists Jon Stevens (Noiseworks, INXS), John Waters & Lindsay Field, celebrating the music of The Beatles on the 'White Album' tour. Selling out iconic venues such as 'The Sydney Opera House' & 'The State Theater.' He was also one of the founding members and creative forces in Iconic Melbourne Classic Rock Band 'Electric Mary.' Their debut single "Sail On" reached #76 on the ARIA Singles chart. In 2008 Irwin joined Tania Doko, Jon Stevens & Ian Moss for the 'Let's Get Together' tour. He also released his first solo acoustic album 'dis-con-nect-ed.
At the same time Electric Mary were finalists in the MusicOz Awards and nominated for 'Best Rock Band.' They were also selected to support Whitesnake in Melbourne (Australia) and approached again to join the band again in Paris and Brussells. Timothy Drury (Don Henley, Bryan Adams, Don Felder, Stevie Nicks & Whitesnake) became a dear friend and and champion for the band. They then returned to Australia to support Judas Priest for their Australian National Tour.
2009 saw them tour with Alice Cooper and Glenn Hughes as well as showcasing in L.A. opening for Steel Panther, New York Showcases and being asked to perform at 'Experience PRS' for PRS Guitars in Stevensville, Maryland, U.S.A. alongside the likes of Carlos Santana, Dweezil Zappa and Buddy Guy. 2010. The U.S. called and Electric Mary headed to New York to collaborate with Grammy Award winning engineer/producer Jason Corsaro on a live recording (yet to be released). Corsaro's credits include Soundgarden's 'Superunknown'. They returned to Australia to support Deep Purple for yet another National Tour.
Followed by Irwin heading out on the road again to open for 'Yusuf Islam' (Cat Stevens…..), 'Tears for Fears' & 'Spandau Ballet' with what some have described as his 'unforgettably hypnotic & mesmerizing solo acoustic set.' Irwin then returned to New York to begin writing the next exciting chapter. Returning to Australia in 2011, he joined Stevens, Waters & Jeff Martin for the 'Let It Be' tour, followed by The Beatles 'Back 2 Back' tour in 2011 with the likes of Mark Seymour, Jon Toogood.
In 2012 Irwin reconnected with L.A. based Boutique Guitar Amplifier Technician Reinhold Bogner (Bogner Amplification), packed his bags & moved to Los Angeles, accepting the role of Product Specialist & Director of U.S. Sales. In Feb 2013 Irwin completed his work at Bogner and began working with Australian singer/songwriter Aaron Hendra. With two solo recording projects in the making Irwin managed to squeeze in time to compose the score for an independent film commissioned by The Sonnett Project NYC. Directed by dear friend & N.Y. based director Sean Gannet. (TED Talks).
In August & September of 2013 Irwin returned to Australia for the 'Let It Be' Tour. He returned again in Nov to perform and be inducted into The Legends Category' at 'The MusicOz Awards.' He then revisited 'Back 2 Back' at The Opera House in early Jan 2014 for 3 sold out shows at The Sydney Opera House.
At the age of six, Michael was heavily influenced by his dad strumming and singing Italian folk songs and the odd country tune on guitar. He was also listening to 'The Shadows', which were regular tunes played on his guitar.
At 15 he left school to pursue a trade as a cabinet maker. During this time he still retained his passion for guitar by playing with local cover bands. At the age of 20 Michael decided to give up his trade to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time-guitarist.
An opportunity arose in 1991 when local singer songwriter Hugh Wilson appeared on the popular television show Star Search' and won the whole series. Hugh and manager @tenh Wheatley approached Michael to join him in his band. This lead to an amazing nine months of recording three singles, an album, film clips and extensive touring. For Michael, the highlight of the year was performing several times on his favourite show ‘Hey, Hey, It’s Saturday’. This was exactly what Michael wanted to do with his career.
Over the next. 30 years Michael further established himself with a solid career as a session guitarist by playing and recording for many Top 10 National and International artists.
His playing / touring experience and recording credits include: 10 years as the house guitarist for the world-wide hit TV show The Voice" (Australia) 9 years with Boy George (Australian Band), Delta Goodrem, Kelly Rowland. Madden Brothers (Australian/NZ Tour), Jessie d, Ricky Martin. Keith Urban. Lionel Richie, Seal, Will-I-Am, Kylie Minogue, Ronan Keating, Marvin Priest (Musical Director), Roachford, Mica Paris, Rahsaan Patterson. Natalie Bassingthwaighte, RIcki-Lee, Gary Pinto, Jessica Mauboy, Brian MacFadden, Deni Hines, Paulini, Casey Donovan, Anthony Calea and many more.
In August 2008 Michael was featured in Guitar Player USA magazine as the Editors Top 8 MySpace Players. He has also appeared in countless endorsement advertisements and various magazines.
2011 had proven to be a big year. It started off with a master class tour "Funk Fusion" which successfully sold out to 60 different venues around Australia.
In the July 2011 edition of Guitarist Australia magazine Michael was voted 11th in the top 25 Australian Guitarists of all time.
2012 kick-started on a high, being offered the job as house quitarist for the Australian version of the world-wide hit TV show "The Voice". The show extended Into iTunes releases which saw Michael's playing showcasing on 9 gold singles, 1 platinum single, a double platinum album which placed at number 1 in the Aria charts for 6 weeks. A further 2 gold albums and countless top 40 placings were amongst the grand outcome which all happened in the space of 4 months.
Season 2 was equally as rewarding, setting new records within the Australian music industry. Currently Michael is playing on Season 8 of The Voice Australia, and also playing on iTunes releases through Universal Music which to date has accumulated over 550 major released singles to his name and numerous artist DVD's and albums. This makes Michael one of the most recorded quitar players in Australia.