Saturday, January 31, 2009

MiG Ayesa: Top 10 Rockstar Moments

MiG Ayesa dropped jaws on Rockstar: INXS with his singing, ability to capture a crowd, and musical prowess. And MiG Ayesa didn't stop there...he turned heads with his respect for fellow rockers and a charm that should be illegal. MiG made one great impression after another. It's a tall order to choose the best of the best. Yet since we're on the subject, I'll give it a whirl. Behold my view of MiG Ayesa's Top 10 Rockstar Moments. Some may surprise you...

#10 - Expecting to be in the Bottom 3
As the show neared its completion and the remaining rockers were asked if they thought they were in the Bottom 3, MiG raised his hand. It seemed extremely unlikely that would happen, and it didn't, but MiG's humility was touching.

#9 - Sharing the Spotlight with Marty and Jordis

It was MiG Ayesa Day after MiG performed Baby, I Love Your Way, and he earned the encore. When MiG took a seat at the piano and started to play, he stopped and asked the ultra-talented Marty Casey and Jordis Unga to join him. They had given excellent performances, and MiG was more interested in celebrating their accomplishments than in stomping out the competition.

#8 - What You Need
When MiG got his shot at singing an INXS song after finally hitting the Bottom 3 (when only 4 rockers remained), he nailed it. That was worth waiting for! MiG laid it on the line, and then raised the roof.

#7 - Need You Tonight
All who got to hear the audio of MiG's Need You Tonight can count themselves among the lucky. It was one steamy song. I can't imagine it being sung any better. Of all the INXS songs MiG has sung on the show or live, that one will always be my favorite.

#6 - Paint It Black
Although Paint It Black is a classic, MiG's arrangement was incredibly interesting and creative. To me it was more dramatic and he uncovered layers of the song I hadn't noticed before. When he extended his arms to the side and the music stopped mid-song, it took my breath away.

#5 - All Right Now
I've always liked this song, but never as much as when MiG Ayesa sang it. That night I thought MiG had it all...the voice, the energy, the moves, the stage presence. He commanded the song, and has every time he has sung it since.

All Right Now from atop a chair - Chicago


#4 - Baby, I Love Your Way
MiG knocked it out of the park with his rendition of the Peter Frampton song. MiG combined a beautiful arrangement and dazzling vocals as he played the grand piano and brought tears to the eyes of those listening. Peter Frampton even called MiG to tell him how impressed he was.

#3 - Home In Me
MiG has questioned his decision to sing Home In Me rather than a more upbeat original. INXS had likely already made up their mind they wanted a bad boy, so the song choice didn't matter. What did matter was the comfort Home In Me brought. Although the song is about loss, it continues to give hope and comfort. The effect of the song lives on. It was the perfect choice.

#2 - Lola
The song had appeal, but when MiG sang it, it suddenly had some sizzle. It was the first episode of Rockstar: INXS I had seen, and it offered quite an introduction to a man named MiG Ayesa. It was a standout performance, and MiG served notice he was a rocker to be reckoned with.


Singing Lola in New York - photo by Wanda



#1 - Bohemian Rhapsody
There were shockwaves when it was revealed MiG had decided to sing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Some were concerned INXS would dismiss MiG as a "theater guy" since he had sung the song in We Will Rock You. I was ecstatic. To me, someone who has performed in theater and in bands is "on" every night, knows how to deliver to a crowd, and is a consistently great performer. MiG's choice of Bohemian Rhapsody was the ultimate show of strength. He selected a song he loved, and it made a statement - "I'm MiG Ayesa. I'm not going to lie, manipulate or play games to win. This is where I've been, and this is who I am."

INXS didn't choose MiG. We did.

Keep the light shining,

Team MiG

Friday, January 16, 2009

MiG Ayesa: More Than Words

The list of artists I want to see perform at least once is a long one, but the list of artists I want to see perform every chance I get is short. It's no surprise the name that tops the list of those I want to see often is MiG Ayesa. So what is it about MiG Ayesa's performances that keep him at such lofty heights on the list? And what is it about MiG Ayesa's personality that makes his gigs something you never want to miss?

One of the best ways to explain may be to give an example. A few days ago, MiG did a short set in Bergenfield, New Jersey with Hotdog Band. A number of people from Team MiG went to the gig...some even traveling from other states. They had a fabulous time - because of MiG's performance and personality. MiG sang mostly his original songs, including She Loved, One Sunset at a Time, Blown Away and I Need You Here, which thrilled the Team MiG crew. MiG's originals have a combination of meaningful lyrics and creative melodies, and he delivered every song with such emotion and feeling. MiG also delighted the crowd when he teamed up with Kim Bargamento to sing More Than Words. You can see a video of their duet on Team MiG Global's YouTube Channel.

Sound Check with MiG Ayesa (photo by Donna)


MiG at the Mic (photo by Wanda)


The music stopped the Team MiG crew in their tracks, but they were completely floored by how kind and down-to-earth MiG was. MiG's nature is truly his greatest strength. It's ironic that the more gentle he is, the more power he has to make a difference in others' lives. MiG has always taken time to talk with people, sign autographs and pose with them for pictures. In fact, he sometimes checks the picture to make sure it turned out and will be a nice memento! The Team MiG contingent chatted and joked with MiG, and took photos throughout the evening.

MiG Ayesa Singing His Heart Out (photo by Donna)



MiG Ayesa Lighting Up the Room
(photo by Wanda)


By the time the evening ended, they were already talking about the next performance. They looked forward to another gig, and to spending time with someone they genuinely care about. And you can bet MiG will be the same next time. It's rare to have a connection between an artist and his fans that's so special and lasting. Maybe it's because fans have a deep admiration, respect and love for someone who sincerely returns those sentiments. It has to be more than words.

Keep the light shining and pass it on,

Team MiG

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

MiG Ayesa: Reflections

As one year fades away and another has burst on the scene, it's the ideal time for reflection. Today that reflection centers on MiG Ayesa. Looking back, MiG won a legion of fans when he was in bands, in shows, in We Will Rock You, and on the CBS reality show Rockstar: INXS. I remember the first time I saw MiG, which was when he sang "Lola" on Rockstar: INXS. He was quite the show-stopper! He followed it up with one killer performance after another. The votes poured in for MiG week after week, and he earned his way to the Final Three.

On Rockstar, MiG's talent was undeniable, his stage presence and versatility unmistakable. But there was something else...something that grabbed people and wouldn't let them go. Here was an immensely talented artist, separated from family and friends, alone in a new country, getting very little sleep and performing on a world stage. And what did MiG do? In spite of the pressure, he stayed true to himself. MiG Ayesa had the courage and class to pat his competition on the back rather than stab them in the back. He didn't try to win at any cost. He chose to treat both rockers and fans with warmth and integrity. Perhaps that didn't make enough waves for some reality TV junkies, but it made a tidal wave of an impression on many in the TV audience. There was no bigger winner than MiG.

MiG gained countless fans after Rockstar just by being himself. He connected with every audience, took time for every fan, and treated everyone at gigs like they mattered. That's the way people should be treated, but that behavior isn't something you often see from an artist who has graced our stages and screens. No one creates talent, but is blessed with it. It can be nurtured and developed through hard work, but it's not created. Some forget that, and it leads to egos on overdrive. When an artist treats fans like real people, it's refreshing because it's classy, it's humble, and it makes a very special connection that lasts. When MiG treats fans with respect and kindness, it reflects back on him, because it inspires genuine affection, loyalty, and a passion to tell others about MiG. When you combine that with his incredible voice and the beautiful music he creates, it's magic. It makes MiG stand head and shoulders above so many others, and is a story waiting to be told.

MiG signing autographs for fans at a meet & greet session.


MiG sharing a laugh with fans.


When one makes such an impact on others through warmth and accessibility, it brings a lot of responsibility. It's challenging to always be on your game, in spite of disappointments or misunderstandings that can occur. No one can always say the perfect thing, or always do the perfect thing. But I believe MiG will give it his best try. When MiG shares his heart, he shines the brightest. It brings out the light in others as well, and the impact grows and grows. An interesting thing about light...its radiance reaches in all directions, illuminating even the unlikeliest of destinations...and when you reflect it back, darkness has nowhere to hide.

Because of the person and artist MiG is, fans travel hundreds of miles to see him perform. In fact, some will be traveling to see MiG do a short set January 16 in New Jersey as a special guest of HotDog Band. If you can get there, don't miss it! You'll see firsthand why Team MiG cares so much about MiG, and puts so much into spreading the word to the world. Read more about MiG's gig.

Help keep the light shining for MiG and his growing number of fans. Pass it on.

Best wishes for a bright 2009!

Team MiG