bio
Michael Pinning is an acoustic guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Palm Desert, California but grew up in the small town of Ramona.
He was raised in the Lutheran Church and attended private school until his freshman year of high school. After graduating high school in 2008, he attended Concordia University Irvine for a year studying Youth Ministry. However, several months in and a few open mics later, he decided that what he really wanted to be was a musician. After many sleepless nights, he made the tough decision to leave Concordia and the promise of a career, to pursue his passion for music. He headed back to San Diego in 2009 and never looked back.
Music has always been Michael's first love, his fondest memories are being in choir as a child, performing in family talent shows with his cousins and being raised with a piano in the living room where he would plunk out melodies and write his own songs. His instrument of choice is the guitar, which he started learning at 11 years old.
Musical talent runs in Michael's family. His uncles, Jim Mayer & Peter Mayer, have been the guitarist and bassist for Jimmy Buffet's "Coral Reefer" band for the last 20+ years and have toured all over the world. His uncle Peter Mayer, is a talented guitarist as well as popular independent artist. Jim Mayer, is a popular children's musician, known as "Uncle Jim". Michael's cousin, Brendan Mayer is currently signed as an artist to Jimmy Buffet's Mailboat Records and has joined him on tour.
Michael's major musical influences are Jason Mraz, Andy Grammer, Jon Bellion, Gavin DeGraw, One Republic, John Mayer, and his vocal coach/mentor/friend, fellow San Diego musician Trevor Davis.
In 2019 he joined his love of music with his love of ministry, and is the residing Worship Pastor of Restoration Church.
