One of the things I love most about interviewing celebrities & artists is hearing what inspires them to create, especially when the work comes from a place of hope.

Michael Orland & Jamie Wooten’s new song, “Love Is Why We’re Here,” sung by Sam Gravitte, is exactly that kind of project.

It's a beautiful reminder to choose love over fear, especially when the world feels heavy.

That is why, in addition to talking with Lyricist Jamie Wooten, I had to speak with Music Director, Arranger, Vocal Coach & Pianist Michael Orland about their heartfelt & hopeful new song!

In this interview, Michael answered my call to share:

• How he, Jamie Wooten, and Sam Gravitte brought “Love Is Why We’re Here” to life
• Why this heartfelt song feels especially needed in today’s divided world
• The deeper meaning behind choosing love over fear in life and art
• What 16 seasons on American Idol taught him about confidence, trust & transformation
• Behind-the-scenes memories of working with Cheyenne Jackson & Marilu Henner
• So much more

Connect with Michael: Facebook, Instagram

"Love Is Why We're Here" is an uplifting and beautiful song about hope and remembering what truly matters in times of upheaval. This song wears its heart upon its sleeve - quite purposefully - to remind us all what we have to hold onto - love, and one another.

Embrace this poignant and timely tune as you embrace your friends, your partner, your neighbors, all of those you hold dear in your life, and know that by doing this, this world can survive anything. 

Stream "Love Is Why We're Here" everywhere you get your music!

1. You, Jamie Wooten & Sam Gravitte just released your new single, "Love Is Why We're Here." How did you all come to collaborate on this song? As always happens with Jamie, he texted or called and said he had an idea for a new song - it was during the pandemic - and i just took to it right away - just took us a while to release it - but at that time, Sam was also in L.A. after playing FIYERO on Broadway in the musical Wicked - and didn’t hurt that he’s my godson - I have played piano for his mom since 1989 - Tony Award Winner Debbie Gravitte.

2. What made now the right time to release this song? With all that’s going on in the world - there is so much division and so many scary things that are pulling people apart - I always feel like music is the one thing that brings people together - and lets them kind of escape reality for a moment. That’s my favorite thing about music.

3. What do you hope listeners relate to most about "Love Is Why We're Here”? Really, Love is the reason we are here - for me there is only Love and Fear - and I don't like giving in to fear - it’s got to be all about Love. And life is too short and precious for us to take any of it for granted.

4. In addition to writing the music for "Love Is Why We're Here," you were the Associate Musical Director, Vocal Coach, Arranger, and Pianist for 16-seasons on American Idol. What did you learn about yourself from working with these rising stars? I loved knowing I was taking part in a little tiny part of some of these people turning into superstars - from Kelly Clarkson to Clay Aiken - to Carrie Underwood and Katharine McPhee - and Adam Lambert - and so many others - I formed a lifetime bond between us.

The relationship of a pianist and singer is literally the most intimate of relationships ever. And just to instill confidence in these people was so rewarding watching every week as they started believing in themselves more and more.

5. You have worked with some of the most iconic artists throughout your career! Two of my favorite stars that you have worked with are Cheyenne Jackson & Marilu Henner. What was the best part about working with them? I’ve been so blessed and lucky. My mom tells her friends and our relatives “My son doesn’t work for a living - he PLAYS for a living” - I really am so grateful for having this career and this life path - cuz it could’ve gone very different if I had stayed in college and become an accountant like my parents wanted me to do.

But I had no choice in it - I ONLY wanted to do music - there was NOTHING else for me to even consider. And thankfully, I was put on the right path and met the right people at the right time - and had the goods to get in the door when people held it open for me.

As for Cheyenne Jackson and Marilu Henner - two of my favorites - though it’s not a contest - I LOVE everyone I play for - but with both Marilu & Cheyenne - we have the greatest time rehearsing and traveling and going to our sound checks and our band rehearsals - and it’s so much more than just that pianist/singer relationship - it’s literally breathing with someone - and giving them the freedom to be in the moment with their material every night - and they are 2 of the most fun people to travel with.

Of course Marilu - and her amazing memory - called H-SAM - highly superior autobiographical memory - there’s no getting away with switching dates on her - or she will never forget how many shows we’ve done - and all the fun stuff.

And Cheyenne and I have a big Christmas concert tour coming up in December - and a bunch of other dates - all on my instagram Link Tree - if you check it out on my Instagram Profile: @michaelorland

Michael Orland

More on Michael Orland:

Michael Orland is one of Hollywood's most sought-after music directors, vocal coaches, arrangers, and pianists, best known for his 16-season run on American Idol. As Associate Musical Director, Vocal Coach, Arranger, and Pianist, Michael helped shape thousands of unforgettable performances across both the FOX and ABC eras of the groundbreaking series, working with aspiring artists as they became household names.

His television career also includes serving as a vocal coach and pianist on the first two seasons of America's Got Talent, as well as Little Big Shots and Forever Young, both hosted by Steve Harvey. Along the way, Michael has made frequent television appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Live with Kelly, Today, and numerous national broadcasts, accompanying American Idol finalists during their post-finale media tours and live performances.

Beyond television, Michael has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of acclaimed performers across Broadway, film, television, and the recording industry. His credits include working with Barry Manilow, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel, Katharine McPhee, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Jennifer Holliday, Kristen Bell, Cheyenne Jackson, Amber Riley, Eric McCormack, Sam Harris, Debbie Gravitte, Marilu Henner, Lesley Ann Warren, Erich Bergen, Maureen McGovern, David Foster, and many others. Earlier in his career, he performed with legendary entertainers including Ann Miller, Kaye Ballard, and the iconic Wayland Flowers & Madame.

Michael's Broadway and theatrical credits include Forbidden Broadway, Ruthless!, and When Pigs Fly in Los Angeles, and he made his Hollywood Bowl debut accompanying MGM legend Ann Miller. More recent projects include serving as Associate Musical Director for NBC's Hairspray Live!, rehearsal pianist for Netflix's The Prom, and appearing alongside some of today's biggest stars on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Whether coaching an emerging artist before a career-defining performance or collaborating with Broadway royalty and Grammy-winning performers, Michael is known for his musical excellence, infectious energy, and ability to bring out the very best in every performer he works with. 

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