Michael
Van Tull was born in 1962 in a town called Anacon on
the Panama Canal Zone. His parent's Majors Frederick and Eloise
Van Tull were officers in the Salvation Army Service. After years
of dedicated service they retired in 1997 from the Midwest Territory
(of the Salvation Army) with honors.
The
Van Tull's were a progressive family on the move whose work took
them to several places. In 1963 they moved to the islands of Bermuda,
in 1973 they moved to St. Louis, Missouri then on to Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. The final move was to Detroit, Michigan in 1974.
"Mike"
attended the noted Cass Technical High School
and graduated in 1980. It was here that he met his lovely wife
Brenda. They were married in 1988. He was also naturalized as
a United States Citizen. The initial kick off of Michael's spectacular
talents began with the "Van Tull Times", a daily chronicle
of the Van Tull family which he distributed at the dinner table
each evening for their enjoyment and review. For years Mike wrote
a cornucopia of poems for his closest friends. All of them were
captivating and of the highest literary statue, but it was two
in particular that took center stage; "About Amy"
and "What A Strange Event".
Saddened
by the loss of his beloved mother-in law, Amy Jones, he began
to devote more time to writing. These tapestries of words did
not just lay on paper. Once the news spread, Michael received
recital requests from church congregations, civic audiences, private
functions and coffee houses. His abilities and talents continued
to heighten and his popularity increased significantly when he
performed and poetry to music and hosted open-mic poetry shows.
Including the Comfort Zone Jazz Club in Detroit,
MI.
One
well know Detroit community leader, Missionary Hattie
B. Humphrey, recognized Michael's artistic talent and
smooth demeanor of operation and asked him to join her as a co-host
of her radio program "Community Highlights".
An inspirational community affairs program that afforded Mike
yet, another opportunity to share his poetic genius with the masses.
When
David Gough (The Mayor of Gospel), Gospel Balladeer, founder and
President of "the world's only" Gospel Music Hall of
Fame & Museum and President of DoRohn Records & Entertainment,
learned of Michael's work, he responded by signing him to a recording
contract. Later he signed with Affirmations Publishing Company.
Michael
Van Tull's first collection of poetry is titled "Speak
On It". It covers an array of topics including inspiration,
travel and love. "This multi-talented man has evolved into
new kind of "Urban American Poet", whose poetry will
surely sooth, comfort and enchant the reader!"