Michael Tiernan

Redlands Senior High, Attended 1989 - 1991, Class of 1991

Franciscan University of Steubenville, Attended 1992 - 1996, Class of 1996, Bachelor's Degree, Philosophy / Spanish

Performing Songwriter

Surfing, Runing, Philosophy

So a priest walks into a bar and pulls out a guitar..." Sound like the beginning of a joke? The funny thing is - a few years back, this could've described an evening in Michael Tiernan's life. It's hard to believe that just several years ago as a young seminarian studying at the Vatican, Tiernan was raising the ire of his superiors by playing gigs in the pubs of the city. Just a year away from being ordained, Tiernan left that calling for a higher one: his life-long love of music. Today, he's one of the West Coast's hottest songwriters, and his rise in the national singer/songwriter scene is the blossoming of an amazing story. A cancer survivor, a world traveler, a student of languages, philosophy and religions, his music is fully seasoned with the experiences of ten lifetimes. A believer in the power of music to heal, express, unite, and encourage, Tiernan is a songwriter who "makes you think while he entertains you" (Folk Wax Magazine).
The Music
Now three albums into a burgeoning career, Tiernan's music has developed into a unique brand of acoustic guitar-centric blending of folk, rock, pop, soul, and bluegrass. Stylistically, it "adheres to no boundaries; every genre is crossed as Tiernan showcases his technical skill with exceedingly intricate guitar work" (San Diego Reader).