Following his shock diagnosis on Christmas Day 2010, Mike withdrew very much from the public eye spending time with his family and writing music, which has become a precious legacy for us.

He found inspiration in scripture, spending time with clergy who found they could set him a task and Mike would respond! One request was a song for the Feast of the Ascension, the result is the beautiful composition Ascended which can be found on the album Dewfall.

Although through his illness Mike was unable to accompany the annual Birmingham Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, he was moved to learn that pilgrims were singing his setting of the Hail Mary as a prelude to each Mass in Lourdes, a song that was inspired whilst praying during one of his many CT scans.

He spent time reading the new Mass translation and following a school Mass at our boys’ school he came home and wrote Like the Dewfall.

During the recording of the album Faith, which was inspired by Pope Benedict’s letter introducing the Year of Faith, Porta Fidei, Mike wanted to write songs dedicated to his children. Three confirmation songs were penned, very poignant and such a beautiful legacy for them…

Due to chemotherapy treatments, Mike spent a lot of wakeful night hours composing and writing. Andy Ross would send through a melody late at night and by morning would have a song draft sent back! Song for Night Prayer was written particularly for those in mind who may be struggling during the night.

Mike wanted his music, written during such a difficult journey, to be a source of comfort and a legacy to his faith. Fisherman (UK) Music, which he began in the early eighties, was testimony to this journey which began so many years ago and Mike wanted to acknowledge personally all of the help he received from the many talented musicians he worked with and also to dedicate songs to those he loved…