Michael  J. Marth was born and raised in Chicago, and picked up his first guitar at age 11, started teaching private lessons at age 12 and began playing in night clubs and local concerts by age 13. 

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At 14, Michael became an assistant manager and music instructor on Guitar and Bass guitar at Palos Music in the south suburbs of Chicago. There he worked through the music store with most musical touring acts of the middle to late 1970's including Styx, Heart, Journey, Cheap Trick, Ted Nugent, Rick Derringer, The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, Hermon's Hermits, Cab Callaway, George Benson, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and many more.  Since then, he has toured internationally with musical groups, Comedy Troupes, Show Bands and even Choral Performances at the Vatican.
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As former President of the Tampa Bay Fingerstyle Guitar Guild, Michael constantly encourages neophyte and experienced professional guitar players alike to practice and hone their skills and try new styles.  



In 1979, Michael was offered the gig as guitarist and vocalist with the popular vocal group, "The Association" (Cherish, Everyone knows its Windy) who had many top 40 hits in the 1960's.  Michael declined the offer in order to continue his college music degree.

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Michael is currently the LifeTeen Music Director at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor and Music Director for the Family Mass at Sacred Heart in Pinellas Park.  He is the former Music Director at Most Holy Name of Jesus Church and St. Luke the Apostle .  He continues to give private instruction on Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano and Voice from his home studio in Safety Harbor.

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Michael's influences include guitar legends: Chet Atkins, Andres Segovia, Tommy Emmanuel, George Benson, Michael Hedges, Martin Taylor, Buster B. Jones, and Sal D'Troia, just to name a few. His full-spectrum talent is unmatched whether he is rockin' out to AC/DC, jazzing it up with Count Basie, or singing the blues with BB King or .  When he sings "What a Wonderful World"  you expect to see Louis Armstrong in front of you; when you hear him sing Ave Maria it feels like heaven is opening its doors for a peek inside.  The final result is a unique style which crosses over a full range of musical genres:  Classical, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, and Percussion.