Michael Amidei

The truth is that Michael Amidei shouldn't be able to do what he's doing. Raised by two musician parents, Michael took early to the instruments laying around the house, singing and creating songs or melodies as though it came naturally. At six, he fell in love with the piano. At fourteen, the guitar and bass.

But between those times came one of Michael's most formative periods. During a fight at school, Michael's left arm simply snapped as he put it into the air. Eventually, doctors discovered he had a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, which had weakened the bone. Given one percent or less chance of survival, Michael was put into an intensive protocol of chemotherapy. After many treatments, surgeries, and setbacks -- including a coma induced by a reaction to the chemotherapy -- Michael's cancer went into remission. Through visionary surgeon Ross Wilkins of The Limb Preservation Society, Michael was able to keep his arm. He also became the first human to receive a biodegradable chemotherapy sponge implant.

The years since have found Michael playing with a wide variety of artists and genres, spanning from rock to opera to country to ambient and beyond. Now, Michael is a member of the world-famous Flying W Wranglers, records with the rock band Goldcase, and performs weekly with the worship band Infinite Grace. He also hosts the podcasts This Business Of Music & Poetry, The Michael Amidei Show, and World Poetry Open Mic.