About Michael Crook

I am Michael Crook, which is a fact which you likely and hopefully garnered from the title of the website. I am not Michael Crooke, Michael Crooks, Michael Cook, or anyone but Michael Crook, not "Micheal." If you are incapable of spelling my name properly, please hop off. I can't and won't help stupid.

Also, the Crook surname traces back to England, and has absolutely nothing to do with theft, so if you're one of those idiots, please likewise hop off. If, however, you know how to spell properly, you are most welcome.

I am a former actor, having appeared in several theater productions and having appeared in two television commercials, one for a retail chain on the West Coast, and the other for a well-known national youth club. I have also served as a producer for two high-profile local radio hosts, and I've in the past hosted my own radio show.

Presently, I am a BMI-affiliated songwriter, and I am involved in promotional and production work for musical artists within the dance music genre. I am also producing several musical projects myself, and you'll hear about them soon.

I presently reside about 45 minutes outside of Syracuse, New York, but for a long time, I lived in South Jersey, the only real part of New Jersey. And, yes, I did have a Jersey name. It was "M-Train."

I was politically active from a young age. When I resided in Las Vegas as a child, I took part in a protest against plans by the Clark County School District to rezone my elementary school, while I was still attending that school. Because of the efforts of all who opposed the proposal-- students, parents, and teachers alike-- the zoning stayed the way it was.

In later years, I advocated for the return of after-school activities at my high school, Oakcrest High School of Mays Landing, New Jersey. While living in that area, I also defended the rights of our fine feathered friends to have a safe habitat. I have been somewhat politically active, often serving as a poll worker in local and presidential elections.

From 1993 to 1996, I founded and ran one of the first fan-run, Internet-based fan clubs for a musical group. My efforts were cited in Rolling Stone and on radio stations worldwide. That group, 2 Unlimited, parted ways with its original vocalists in 1996, and at that point, I terminated the fan club.

In 1999, I attempted to enter the military with the goal of honorably serving our country, but was ultimately unable to do so, owing to a minor heart condition. Though I tried, I never technically served in the U.S. Army. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I wrote about the experience here (1999) and here (2004).

From 1998 through 2011, I founded, headed and ran Nightshadow Productions, LLC, which provided a wide variety of services. My proudest achievements during this era include acquiring programming and drafting a broadcast schedule for a television station that had been purchased out of bankruptcy. I also brought the station into compliance with EAS compliance and other FCC requirements, whereas the station had previously operated without observing these mandates. Other accomplishments include seeking out new musical talent in the genre of dance music and finding record labels for them.

Through my company, I formed an Internet radio station which was devoted to playing dance music from mainstream and indie artists from all over the world. Numerous indie artists were given exposure on the station, which quickly climbed the charts within its genre. Though popular with listeners, the station did not gain enough contractual advertisers, making target ROI impossible. Thus, the project was terminated. It was around this time-- mid-2011-- that the decision was made to bring the company to a close.

Also in 2011, after the closure of my company, I brokered a deal between a major U.S. dance music label and a prominent European DJ and producer which allowed for that producer's new single to be distributed in the United States. I continue to perform promotional services for musical artists.

I strongly oppose drunk driving, and I have absolutely no respect or tolerance for those who engage in such conduct, or ever have done so in the past. I personally feel that drunken drivers should be led to the side of the road and summarily executed. I have in the past been involved with SADD, and have taken part in anti-DUI protests.

I do not consider myself to be a sociable person, and I avoid any form of human interaction that I can, including, but not limited to: clubs, fraternities, worship services, religious society events, baby blessings, baptisms, sealings, funerals, socieities, activist meetings, receptions, potlucks, parties (including block parties and bachelor parties), par-tays, raves, cocktail and happy hours, banquets, luncheons, town halls, forums, neighborhood watch meetings, weddings, celebrations, seminars, special occasions, performances, concerts, gigs, bars, taverns, nightclubs, ice cream socials, shindigs, hoedowns, charity balls (or anything to do with charity), barn raisings, hootenannies, reunions, box socials, sock hops, councils, keggers, barbeques, gatherings, get-togethers, meetings, or anything of the sort.