John Michael Hersey

Singer/Songwriter/Actor John Michael Hersey has released twenty-one albums of his music, including the October 2025 album, Democracy, where he continues his fertile fusion of rock, pop, folk, blues and country.

In a review of Democracy, SongWeb writes that Hersey is “not just another singer-songwriter. He is a musical cartographer, mapping the emotional and social landscapes of our time with songs that are intricate yet immediately accessible.” According to NuvaPulse, “with Democracy, John Michael Hersey cements his reputation as one of America’s most thoughtful musical storytellers.” And Indie Dock Musical Blog comments that “Democracy represents an extraordinary achievement—a rock musical that interrogates American decline without offering easy answers, that portrays violence and addiction without exploitation, that finds moments of grace amidst the wreckage.”

For many years he was the musical director, guitarist and second tenor for the legendary doo-wop group Speedo and the Cadillacs. In 2010, UMass Press published his book, Forever Doo-wop, about his experiences working with the Cadillacs and other vocal groups. His theater acting credits include leading roles in New York City area productions of Creditors, An Enemy of the People, Deathtrap and The Weir. His movie credits include Holistay and Magic in the Maze. He also serves as Manager of Creative Arts at The Fortune Society, a non-profit that provides services for people involved with the criminal justice system, and he is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Music and Theater department at Manhattan University.