Born in Denver Colorado in 1952 as Michael George Doran. Raised in Cheyenne, WY and in the Denver area, Michael learned music from his parents. His father was an oil company clerk, and his mother was a librarian. He went to college at the University of CO in Boulder, from 1970 to 1974, majoring in Chinese Language. After that he worked at a series of jobs, including stints as a taxi driver, public school aide, Bible school teacher, assembler, and construction worker. He got involved in Broadcasting in 1976, and worked at several radio and TV stations over the next few years, filling in with construction work between broadcasting jobs.
The name "Riversong" comes from an ancient Irish tradition known as the Bards, who are musicians associated with healing arts and poetic history. At a certain point in a Bard's career, a name would be given in a ceremony. This happened in 1978 to Michael, while living in Thermpolis, Wyoming. Michael's ancestry is half Irish, half German, and a small part Gypsy. (Biography continued below picture)
Michael Riversong in the classroom 12-01
In 1980, after working as an electrician's apprentice, he began working in the solar energy business in Crested Butte, CO. This involvement with solar energy continued for the next three years in Walsenburg, Pueblo, and Denver.
In 1984, he started a microcomputer consulting business in Denver and recorded the first album, "Dreams and Dances", a guitar solo. Shortly after, the solo flute album "Healing Flute" was recorded. In 1984, an involvement with the International Tesla Society began, which eventually led to writing a number of scientific articles summarizing the works of several notable researchers.
Over the next few years, several more albums were recorded. By 1994, thirteen were in commercial release, being sold at concert appearances, seminars, festivities, and a few bookstores. Starting in 1989, the touring schedule was expanded, including performances in Kansas, California, Las Vegas, Kentucky, Germany, Wyoming, and most of Colorado.
In 1990, the computer consulting business evolved into QI Consulting, doing personal environmental surveys for a variety of clients. These surveys cover every aspect of home and commercial enviroments as they affect health and well-being, including ergonomics, design, electromagnetism, and air quality. Michael attained certification as an Environmental Building Inspector from the International Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology in 1993. The consulting business was renamed QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS in 1996, and closed as a separate entity in 1999, its functions being rolled into a corporate structure.
In 1993 he wrote the book, Design Ecology, which provides a large amount of information on dealing with environmental situations. He has also written and published a number of booklets on music, spirituality, and science.
Michael Riversong currently plays harp, guitar, wooden flutes, drums, dulcimers, balalaikas, and other folk instruments on his albums and in performances. Travelling from a base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, he does a mix of teaching, writing, and consulting work, along with performances in a number of locations. Confessions of a Spiritual Tourist
Performance photo 11-10-01