Michael Wheatley 2017 album & tour

Hi, thanks for stopping by at my gofundme page. If we haven't met before my name is Michael Wheatley and I'm so happy you've stopped by. If we have, well, hey! How's it going?  I'm happy you're here too!

I'm making a new album and touring it next year. Join me, my amazing band and dancers on the ride!

I live and breathe a creative life, dedicated to making a positive mark on the world via music, dance and performance. Some of the things I do to achieve this goal include writing and playing music solo or with my outfit the Dirty Carpet Disco Band, travelling the country as a male burlesque performer and host, DJing,  working as a record producer, creative mentoring and also producing cabaret and variety shows. I use the skills I have acquired over the years and do my very best everyday to either put a smile on someone's face, create an experience or a good memory or all of the above via creative means.
Why have I set up this crowdfunder? I've been steadily chugging along with all of my projects for some time now and have reached a point where I'm ready to take things to the next level and 2017 is the year I plan to do just that. I'm also super grateful for the amazing musicians and dancers who have offered to be a part of this and I want to really look after them! It can cost a bit touring a band across the country for a month at a time! 
I have a vision, a drive, a committed and talented team of musicians and performers behind me who keep me working on my craft. The one hurdle I'm yet to leap over is the initial financial cost of launching and touring. So rather than sit around thinking it's something I can't do anything about I've decided to ask you for your involvement. Not wanting to ask for your support and offer nothing in return I have some amazing and unique rewards on offer that will make either a great gift to yourself or for someone else including CDs, show tickets, personalised compositions, live band and burlesque performances, recording studio time, djing, vocal lessons and private workshops.
Why am I asking for help now? It's next year isn't it? Well the main cost is transport and accommodation and the earlier I can get these locked in the cheaper it all becomes. I already have a lot of the gigs booked in and am in the middle of negotiations with the US for next year, I now just need to get me and my amazing band to them all!

My plan for 2017 goes like so…
Part one…
I'll be taking my band the Dirty Carpet Disco Band on a tour from the middle of January to the middle of February. We are going to be performing at in Perth and Adelaide during two of the largest fringe festivals in the world. The show "Michael Wheatley & The Dirty Carpet Disco Band" isn't just a string of songs written over the years for various shows and albums, it inlvolves burlesque and dance as well with Miss Kelly Ann Doll, Bettie Bombshell and Jazida performing alongside me. Imagine what happens when a funk band plays a cabaret gig with burlesque groupies and you get the idea. We will also be performing non fringe gigs as a band and promoting a brand new album at the same time.
Part two.…
In June 2017 I'm planning a 5 week tour of the US. It will be a two part tour of performing burlesque and also promoting my original music at live gigs. At this stage the plan is to go over solo and meet with musician's  already know over there, however ultimately it would be great to take the proper band, we'll see how this gofundme goes and I'll keep you posted on that. The cities I'll be touring are LA, Las Vegas, Chicago and New York.
Part three.…
From September- November 2017 I'll be doing a Dirty Carpet Disco Band tour of Australia, regional and capital cities, hopefully all states and territories too promoting the latest album.
Where will the money be going? Here is a brief breakdown of the costs I need to cover to make this a successful reality...
Band Flights (Aus) - $1000
Accomodation (first leg of Aus tour) - $3500
Transportation - $2000
CDs, Merch, Advertising - $2000
Band Per Diems - $1000
USA Flights - $2500
USA Accommodation - $1000
Festival Fees, Admin, Emergencies - $2000


So there it is in a nutshell, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or have anything else you'd like to say or tell me. Keep an eye on this page or head over and "like " and "follow" my facebook page facebook.com/michaelwheatleymusic

Whether you have read this and simply gone and "liked" my facebook page, earned a reward or made a donation of any amount I thank you for your support and sharing in this journey with me and the Dirty Carpet Disco Band.
Love,

Michael Wheatley