the Croutons

Fine Line

JB, Bobby, Michael R., Michael A., Lachlann - Strawman 1997

Tthe Little Wheels Band

the American Dream

Michael John Ahern (MJ) is an Emmy nominated Northern California ASCAP songwriter and musical producer who's songs have been heard around the world on country music radio. MJ is the co-founder of the The Little Wheels Band, a West Coast Americana band and founder of American Dream, a premier roots rock party band.

A Modern Day Renaissance Man

In 1985, MJ joined a popular San Luis Obispo college radio dance band the Croutons. During that time MJ also played with Secret Service, a young Toad the Wet Sprocket and reluctantly opened solo for guitar virtuoso Alan Holdsworth. In 1987, MJ moved back to the S.F. Bay Area to work in the field of Environmental Education. On the weekends MJ worked at the Keystone Palo Alto, a popular live music venue. It was there that MJ heard Jerry Garcia and Steve Morse for the first time live. During this period MJ recorded his first commercial release, Along The Edge which sold 4500 copies through the newly founded Nature Company.  In 1988 MJ returned to San Luis Obispo to complete  degrees in Biology and Education and then accepted a high school teaching position in Cambria, CA. During that time MJ played with Sean Griffith (son of songwriter Glenda Griffith), The Michael Ahern Band and the Pismo Beach rock and roll cover band Fine Line. In 1994 MJ returned to the SF Bay Area to work for S.E.T.I. and NASA in education and curriculum development. During that time Michael worked as a NASA Mission Specialist flying on board the Kuiper Airborne Observatory based at Ames Research Facility. In 1994 MJ released his second solo album - Songs From Within.

Strawman

This year MJ has performed 4 shows with the Little Wheels Band, 4 shows with the roots rock band, the American Dream, and recently completed the mixes for DRIVE MJ's first all original album in a decade. DRIVE showcases MJ's ability as a songwriter, multi-intrumentalist and studio engineer and will be released in the US and internationally in 2011. DRIVE is a mix of blues, modern country and jam band and is slated for airplay on 550 country radio stations in 26 countries summer 2011. The title track, Drive has been authored for inclusion into the RockBand Network for play on both Guitar Hero and Rockband and there are two commercial music videos in production that will support the release. The album will be replicated by Diskmaker and will be available through this CDbaby, iTunes and Amazon Music.

MJ has produced 10 commercial albums including his most ambitious recording project to date, DRIVE. The musicianship on DRIVE is stellar and includes several internationally recognized players including keyboardist Michael Emerson (Elvin Bishop-Carlene Carter), Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac) on drums, Sonya Jason (David Sanborn-Michael Bolton) on sax, and Gary Potterton on guitar (California Cowboys). MJ also employed some fine local talent including bassist Randy McGowan (Little Charlie and the Nightcats), bassist Greg Jones (DB Waker-Alien Cowboys) and Lachlann Kane (Little Wheels Band-DB Walker) on honky tonk piano on the song Heaven. 

MJ's other commercial releases include Nine Lives (2008) and I Believe (2008), The High Road (2007), She's the One (2006), The Liberty Court Session (2005) and the Little Wheel Band Debut (2005)   In 2005-2006 MJ's songs, She’s the One and Heaven aired on 550 radio stations in 26 countries.

Also in 2010 MJ attended the SF Music Technology Summit and NAMM 2010. In June MJ co-produced the American Dream demo CD with producer Erik Nielson. MJ continues to perform acoustically at private events and at benefits for local public education and with a sustained interest in supporting music in the public school classroom MJ continues to work in conjunction with Guitars Not Guns bringing youth music classes to Bay Area public schools..

MJ is a member of the SF Chapter of the Recording Academy, Stage Manager for the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival and an unlucky fisherman, active mountain biker, occasional golfer and an award winning public high school educator.

In 1995 Michael was introduced by a friend to Lachlann Kane. Realizing their musical potential MJ and Lachlann built Strawman, an all original rock band featuring Bobby Foster on drums, Michael Reich on sax/flute and JB Jones on bass. Success came fast to Strawman however tensions in the band led to a breakup in 1997 shortly after the release of their debut Strawman's El Dorado CD an all-original and masterful recording. A desire to write new material followed as did a longing to have a talented band to play the material out. MJ reached out again for Lachlann Kane in 2001and they began working together on Michael's "She's the One" album. The experience of working together again inspired the desire to build a new band with an Americana genre. Hence began The Little Wheels Band which shared the stage with Sara Evans, The Dave Nelson Band, The Flying Other Brothers, James Nash, and Jefferson Starship.

MJ and the Little Wheels Band performed at the 2003 and 2004 Jerry Day Celebrations in McLaren Park in San Francisco while MJ was asked to musically produce the historic Jerry Garcia Amphitheater Dedication Ceremony in October 2005. The Little Wheels Band also performed at the Grand National Rodeo and mainstage for the 2005 and 2006 Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Mainstage. In 2006 Michael received two Bay Area Emmy nominations for a live television performance of his original song "So Done With You" with musicians James Nash, Steve Shufton, Michael Anderson, Gary Chiapetta and Dean Cook. In 1999 MJ became Director of Entertainment at the Lodge at Skylonda, an Auberge Resort Property. In addition to booking talent at the Lodge MJ began performing acoustic solo once again as he had in college. It was also at the Lodge at Skylonda when MJ made the decision to broaden his approach to songwriting and began what has become a lifelong study of American songwriters.  In September of 2007 the Little Wheels Band took a break from a five year rigorous regional touring schedule and now chooses to gather together for the occasional show and private event.