91: How a Fan Made Michael Gettel's 14th Album Happen | Hiraeth Series, Ep. 1

What happens when a longtime fan reaches out to an artist he's never met and offers to fund his next album? Michael Gettel is an award-winning composer and pianist. Andrew Jacobs, President of Ideal Jacobs Corp., has listened to Michael's music for 30 years. He found Michael again through this podcast, started supporting San Luis Music, the program Michael runs for kids in rural Colorado, and then asked a simple question: what about a new album? That album is Hiraeth, Michael's 14th, and this is the first of four episodes following its story. The two of them have still never met in person. Andrew says they won't until Michael is up for a Grammy. It was a joy to sit with these two. We talk about Michael's start selling cassettes out of a friend's garage, a $300 keyboard that will change a student's life, a run-in with Jimmy Page, and what Hiraeth means. Michael also leaves us with a line I keep thinking about: you never wait in vain. The first single, "Gratitude," is out Friday, October 16. The full album, Hiraeth, arrives January 15, 2027. Joining Michael on the full album, Hiraeth: Jerry O'Sullivan (pipes and whistles), Brandon Vance (fiddle), Jerry Strickland (acoustic and electric guitars), Frank Bry (electric guitar), Sandin Wilson (electric and fretless bass), Dan Chase (drums and percussion) and Nancy Rumbel (oboe and English horn). Coming up in the series: Michael's longtime engineer Frank Bry and studio owner Bobby Lang take us inside Robert Lang Studios, where Hiraeth was recorded. Follow the show so the next episodes land in your feed. MICHAEL GETTEL Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PJf9tyCBdYvchFXkl8YLF Website: https://www.michaelgettel.com/ San Luis Music: http://sanluismusic.org/home.html ANDREW JACOBS Ideal Jacobs Corp.: https://www.idealjacobs.com/ Andrew's book, The Ideal Pivot: https://www.idealjacobs.com/publications LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcjacobs/ Work with Joe: https://www.leadershipinklings.com/coaching Titans of Transition is about the turning points in our lives and work, and discovering, developing and leaning into your gifts. Hosted by Joe Miller, Career & Leadership Coach.