Bret Michaels embarked on a solo career, and released his first solo full-length studio album on August 25th 1998, entitled “A Letter from Death Row”. It is the soundtrack to a movie 'A Letter from Death Row' that Michaels wrote, directed and starred in. The album features guest appearances from his ex-band mate C.C DeVille.
It wasn’t until his fourth studio album “Custom Built”, released on July 6th 2010 that Michaels enjoyed chart success again. It is his highest charting solo album to date peaking at #1 on the Top Independent Album and Top Hard Rock Albums chart. It also made it to #14 on The Billboard 200. The lead single from the album “Nothing to Lose” features pop singer Miley Cyrus. The song reached #32 in the Billboard top Rock Digital Songs chart. The opening track from the album “Riding Against the Wind” is the theme song to the Bret Michaels reality Docu-series 'Bret Michaels: Life As I Know It', which is the follow up to the Rock of Love series. The album also has a country music version of Poison’s number one single, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
The follow up album “Jammin’ with Friends” is the fifth studio album by Michaels. It was released on June 25th 2013 and it brings together friends that Michaels has made throughout his career with some of the songs that have shaped his success. The lead single from the album is a song called “Get Your Rock On” featuring Phil Collen from Def Leppard and Sal Costa. The song served as Monster Energy AMA Supercross Opener on Speed with an exclusive video that premiered on SPEED TV. There was also a re-recorded version of “Nothin’ But a Good time” featuring Ace Frehley from KISS and Michael Anthony from Van Halen. Michaels even tried his hand at a fun, tongue in cheek country crossover tune entitled “They Don’t Make An App For That” also known as “The App Song”. Michaels even managed to get Joe Perry from Aerosmith to feature on a re-recording of “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”. The album reached #13 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart.
Bret came, saw and conquered... The set was tight with vocals and instruments right on. He had the crowd well motivated, up and dancing for the whole evening. I'll definitely make a return trip to see him when he's around again. An all around great evening of music, and well worth the price of admission.