November 10th 2024.
Michael Lerman, a disabled musician with cerebral palsy, has a powerful message to share through his music. Despite the challenges he faces, he is determined to inspire other disabled musicians by having his song performed live. This journey has not been easy, and it sheds light on the barriers that disabled individuals still face in the music industry.
Michael's arms and legs are paralyzed due to his condition, but that has not stopped him from pursuing his passion for music. He wrote his latest song, "She Wrote," using only his nose, and he hopes that it will bring much-needed change to the industry's perception of disabled artists. Together with London-based singer Kah'Nya, Michael worked tirelessly to perfect the song, but their efforts to showcase it at music venues in the city were met with disappointment.
Living in San Francisco, Michael feels that his disability often makes him invisible in society. He explains, "For people with disabilities, isolation and lack of resources continue to be a problem. It is extremely difficult to get any visibility." But he remains determined to break through these barriers and make a difference through his music. Kah'Nya shares this sentiment, saying, "For me and Michael, the more people who hear our song and our story, the more people will start to care."
The collaboration between Michael and Kah'Nya began in September, when they were matched on a collaborative forum. They spent three weeks perfecting the lyrics and producing the song, but their efforts to find a venue for Kah'Nya to perform in London have been unsuccessful. Michael shares, "Cold calling is not taken seriously. It's challenging to get gigs, especially in central London, where most of the traction is."
Despite the challenges he faces, Michael is also a talented songwriter and composer, using voice commands to create his own instrumental music. He explains, "Every click, every drag, every little adjustment with a mouse or keyboard takes multiple voice commands. Through pain and torture, I listen to version after version until I hear something that sounds workable." Despite his perseverance, none of his written work has ever been performed live in his 26 years of trying.
Kah'Nya, a singer-songwriter featured on BBC Introducing, adds her vocals and instrumentals to "She Wrote." She shares Michael's passion for breaking barriers in the music industry and wants to use her platform to shine a light on his pioneering music. She says, "I am in awe of what he has done and what he has achieved, and he does not get the recognition he deserves." Despite her efforts to contact multiple venues, Kah'Nya has faced rejection due to the saturated music industry.
But despite the challenges, Michael and Kah'Nya remain determined to bring their music to the live stage. They continue to contact venues and agencies, hoping to fulfill Michael's lifelong dream and represent disabled musicians in the industry. Their message is clear: disability should not hinder one's talent and potential in the music industry. And with their second song, "Ay," in the works, they are determined to make a difference and inspire the next generation, especially those with disabilities.
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