Michael Frank took up the harmonica and blues record collecting in junior high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After his college graduation he moved to Chicago to practice social work in child welfare and to meet as many blues musicians as he could.

During the course of hanging out in a lot of blues bars, Michael discovered that many blues musicians who had made great records in the past were underrepresented in getting decent musical jobs and in making new records. So, starting in 1973 he began playing the harmonica with David "Honeyboy" Edwards as a duo and in a four piece blue band, managing and booking Honeyboy as well. He also booked and managed guitarist Jim Brewer until Jim died in May, 1989. Starting in 1976, the Honeyboy Edwards Blues Band played numerous Chicago and U.S. clubs, colleges, and festivals. including Elsewhere, B.L.U.E.S., University Of Illinois, and Chicago Blues Festival (three times), as well as festivals in Canada.

In 1978, Michael Frank started the Earwig Music Company to record and book underrepresented blues musicians and to assist these artists in furthering their careers. The label has released 57 blues, jazz, gospel, and storytelling recordings, and produced for other labels also. Michael and his Earwig staff have also produced numerous concerts and club tours, featuring revues of various artists on the label and other lesser known musicians. He is a member of the Blues Foundation Advisory Board and the National Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences (NARAS). He is available for lectures on the blues, and on the music business. He holds a Master of Social Work Degree. In 2008 Michael received The Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive Award was Artist Manager of Honeyboy Edwards until Honeyboy’s death in August 2011.

Though the Honeyboy Edwards Blues Band disbanded in 1985 due to the ill health of two members, Michael Frank and Honeyboy Edwards carried on, playing clubs and festivals around the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and South America. In March 2005 Michael left child welfare to devote all his energy to increasing Mr. Edwards’ tour opportunities. He and Honeyboy Edwards performed over 75 shows each year since then, over a wide geographic territory. Honeyboy, who died at the age of 96 just months after retiring, was one of the last first generation blues musicians still active and touring. Michael’s role with Honeyboy included that of harmonica accompanist, manager, booking agent, and biographer. He is a co-author of Honeyboy’s oral history, “The World Don’t Owe Me Nothing.” In performance, Michael played harmonica on part of the show, and facilitated Honeyboy’s regaling the audience with his true-life blues tales.

Press

Magic City Blues – Interview (Jun – Sep ’08)

WBEZ – Audio Interview (July 2, 2009)