Michael Burnett, the esteemed bass player for Jeff Floyd, passed away on January 4, 2007, due to a massive heart attack.

Born on March 19, 1956, in Macon, Georgia, Michael's musical journey began at the age of nine when he started playing the drums. His exploration of music continued as he briefly tried the trombone and trumpet before discovering his passion for the bass guitar, inspired by Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire and Larry Graham of Graham Central Station. He received guidance from local musician Walter Jackson at VWF, who taught him how to play the bass and sing simultaneously. Along with seven other musicians, Michael formed a band and began performing in school talent shows. By the 10th grade, he was spending his last three periods in the school band room, showcasing his talent. Recognizing his skills, band director Samuel Stokes invited him to perform in halftime shows with the Southwest High School Marching Band.

In 1971, Michael formed a group initially called “The Black Exotics,” which later became “The Exotics.” The band began playing at local nightclubs in Macon, such as The Red Rooster, High Hat, Adams Lounge, and JD’s Touch of Class. After years of performing, they secured a significant opportunity as the backing band for Stax Records artists Sam & Dave, which led to collaborations with other notable musicians including William Bell, Clarence Carter, Denise LaSalle, and Bill Coday.

During a performance in Louisiana, Michael was approached by Larry Blackmon of Cameo, who was seeking a bass player. Michael auditioned in Atlanta about six months later and was hired immediately. He recorded his first album with Cameo, “Alligator Woman,” which achieved gold status, and the band began touring extensively. During this time, Michael balanced his commitments by flying to Atlanta for rehearsals while still performing with The Exotics in Panama Beach, Florida. In a whirlwind of events, he married, performed in his first major concert, and embarked on a six-month tour all in one day.

After the tour, he returned to New York to work on Cameo's next album, “She's Strange,” where he was given considerable creative freedom with his bass patterns and background vocals. This album was also successful, leading to further touring. Michael contributed to another successful album, “Single Life,” but did not participate in Cameo's subsequent project, “Style,” due to contract issues.

One evening at a nightclub in Atlanta, Michael witnessed his friend Kary Hubbert perform. He shared his thoughts with Larry Blackmon, expressing his desire to be involved if Larry had any plans for the group. This led to Michael producing his first major act, Ca$hflow. He then returned to Cameo for what would be his final album with the group, “Word Up,” bringing in longtime friend and former Exotics member Willie Morris for background vocals. This album became Cameo's best-selling record, achieving platinum status before Michael departed from the group.

After a significant hiatus, Michael was invited to perform with Cameo again at their annual festival in Bermuda, receiving positive acclaim from both audiences and fellow musicians, who were surprised by his absence from the stage for over a decade.

Throughout his career as a producer, bass guitarist, and vocalist, Michael's contributions spanned various formats, including: - Music videos for Atlanta Artist Inc. and Cameo, featuring tracks like "Alligator Woman" and "Single Life." - Live television performances on shows such as "Soul Train," "The Lou Rawls Television Special," "Solid Gold," and London's "Top of the Pops." - Television commercials for brands like Mellow Yellow and Coca-Cola. - Concerts in venues across the USA and internationally.

His professional experience included roles with: - Atlanta Artists Inc.: as an arranger, bass guitarist, and vocalist for Cameo. - Atlanta Artists Inc.: as a producer and songwriter for Ca$hflow. - Stax Records: as a bass guitarist and vocalist for Sam & Dave and William Bell. - Capricorn Studio Inc.: as a songwriter for The Reddings. - PolyGram Records: as a bass guitarist and vocalist for Syreeta Wright.

Michael received several honors and awards during his career, including: - A Platinum Album for Cameo's “Word Up.” - Gold Albums and Tapes for “Alligator Woman,” “She's Strange,” “Single Life,” and “Word Up.” - A Gold Reel from Cheshire Sound Studio in Atlanta, Georgia.

He maintained professional affiliations with ASCAP, BMI, Chocolate City, and PolyGram Records Company, and he played on Ca$hflow's title track “Big Money,” which featured on the soundtrack for the film starring the Fat Boys.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Michael supported emerging artists such as choreographer Douglas Frazier, singer Willie Morris, and saxophonist Melvin Wells. He also completed a ten-week course in Audio Recording Engineering at the Fame Institute of Music in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Michael Burnett continued to reside in Macon, Georgia, where he collaborated with various artists, including William Bell and Jeff Floyd.