Michel Lelong was born in 1961 in Tours (France), started practising guitar at the age of 13, influenced by his older brothers; all are fond of American traditional music. First, with the help of his older brother Jean-Marc, a self taught, talented, guitar player, Michel learned different country blues in the styles of Mississippi John Hurt, John Jackson, Big Bill Broonzy, and Gary Davis etc. After these great blues and ragtime influences, Michel learned "note-by-note" by ear the traditional "Kentucky style", often called "Travis style". At 17, he started to teach guitar and, after having recorded his first LP in 1983, he was noticed by the American guitar player/musicologist/music publisher Stefan Grossman (one of the most renowned acoustic blues guitar pioneer teachers in the world).
In the 1980/90?s, Michel released four educational books with audiotapes on three legends of Country Guitar; Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins. These books are still published by the The Stefan Grossman's Guitar Worshop, USA.
During this time, Michel went several times to the United States to meet the traditional musicians to deepen his knowledge of North American music. He still composes and develops his personal style through his various influences (Blues, Ragtime, Jazz and Celtic) and performs as a solo artist in France and abroad.
Michel Lelong recorded his first C.D. in 1996 with some of the best French blues and bluegrass musicians.
The same year, Michel made his first educational video on the country/blues styles for a French music publisher (Editions Guitar Connection - Music Publishing - Paris - http://www.play-music.com).
He followed this up in 1997 with an educational video on Celtic guitar techniques.
In 1999, Michel produced a country blues guitar method (a book of 75 pages with CD showing ninety-nine examples and blues studies). A large range of country blues techniques is explained in detail. The music magazine critics consider this ?pedagogic? book a ?bible?.
Michel teaches guitar, organises guitar workshops, performs, and writes guitar methods.
Today, with many plans in his head, Michel Lelong follows his love of music along a path on which the guitar is only one instrument amongst many.
Since 2001: Michel teaches every summer during the "BLUES WEEK" join The European Blues Association
John Jackson & Michel Lelong in the Exeter Unniversity, 2001 - First meeting...
