Billboard Discoveries: There must be something in the water flowing through Athens, Ga., which has fostered breakout talents R.E.M., B-52s, Zac Brown Band, Sugarland and Drive-By-Truckers. Now meet singer/songwriter Michael Whitworth, whose pure country four-track EP “Learning How To Love”—the follow-up to debut “God Only Knew”—is a comely, well-executed collection, featuring first-rate vocals, credible lyrics and organic instrumentation, partly courtesy of the artist, who has mastered guitars, bass, keys and drums. Opener “Settlin' Down” is a full-bodied welcome mat, charged with a cascade of multiple string instruments, pumping percussion and a chorus suited to coral the masses (“I'd trade all those nights of freedom for a home with you”), while equally hitworthy “Fire Away” cruises forward with eight-cylinder tempo and another positive lyrical mandate, as Whitworth sings, “I'm the man who will stand by you through your best and worst of days, so fire away.” The more reflective “Worth Fighting For” is a humbling message song directed toward mainstream country fans about a working man who nearly lost his way amid the daily rat race (“He went back to the wife he ignored, broke into tears as he walked through the door, cause he finally knows for sure what's worth fighting for”). Previous EP “God,” whose first single “Just As Surprised As You,” describes the wonder of finding the love of one's life, fostered airplay across North American Six Flags parks. Nice kudos, but with proper marketing, the mettle to share his wares to live audiences—and the pesky major label contract—the handsome Whitworth has every check mark in place to propel beyond amusement parks and straight to national acclaim. This recording is certainly a premiere calling card. All systems go.

Gary Allen (JJ Cale/The Charlie Daniels Band/Stonewall Jackson): Michael is true to the lyrics and styling and the new tracks are powerful. Each arrangement is breath-taking. I can honestly say, that in listening to it the first time, I was  expecting Christian rock/pop and instead found a true masterpiece crafted with love and care that exudes unbelievable conviction and deserves highest praise. The singing is joyful and the lyrics are catchy and from the heart. You can call Michael's music whatever you like, I call it refreshing, amazing and brave.

At one point, you understand life to be a certain way, but as you grow and live a little more life, you confront things that you once thought would never happen – and God outgrows the box you had tried to put him in. Michael Whitworth has out grown his box already. He is living a life of grace and is embracing his wisdom, love and huge talents. At the same time, I think  he is most lucky to have ventured into writing relationships with writers like Josh Roland, where that avenue can be creatively explored.

Contemporary/pop/rock whatever the label, I wouldn't change a thing, except your socks :) I agree with the assessment that his appeal to a large label is that he is a male version of Taylor Swift - young, good looking, writes his own songs and can cross pop and country lines.

Congratulations Michael and we will see you soon on the hit parade! I'm showing my age. I meant the Billboard charts! God Bless Us All...

Georgia.com There is a vibrant new face of the indie Pop/Country scene out of Athens, GA. Meet Michael Whitworth – the twenty-something crooner full of devilish charm and angelic melodies. His sophomore EP titled “Learning How To Love” is turning the ears of industry overlords but he is keeping just out of their gnarled reach and embracing the freedom of an indie label.

Billboard Discoveries called this EP “a premier calling card” and “a well executed collection.” Gary Allen of the Charlie Daniels Band described it as “powerful, breathtaking and a masterpiece” and went as far as to call him “a male version of Taylor Swift – young, good looking, writes his own songs and can cross Pop and Country lines.”

We thought the EP was excellent – well executed, enjoyable, moving and wonderfully short – only four songs – no wasted tracks taking up space in an attempt to extract more money for more songs. The first two songs (Settlin' Down and Fire Away) are full of energy robust instrumentation. “Worth Fighting For” is track three – a fiercely emotional ballad about the battle between family and self gratification. Wrapping it all up is the EP's title track – a beautifully enticing number with a bit of classical guitar and soft jazz flair – perhaps the best track on the EP.

Michael's first EP, “God Only Knew,” was more of a fun, light hearted project; however, the first song, “Just As Surprised As You” has garnered substantial radio play and been featured on American Airlines flights and Six Flags North America's in-part radio. Some artists have that inexplicable “it” quality and Michael Whitworth most definitely has “it” by the throat. The Music Industry is a fickle mistress and who knows what the future holds, but we are rooting
for Whitworth as he soldiers on. Check out his website www.michaelwhitworthmusic.com .

DixieStreams: If you come from Athens, GA, you better be on your game if you plan to make any waves. You're standing in the shadows of icons like R.E.M., The B-52s, Zac Brown Band, Corey Smith and so many others, and you've got to be good to get noticed there. That's what Michael Whitworth is doing, and making it look easy at that. He's one of the most talented singer/songwriter to come out of "The Classic City" in some time, and he's also got a stable full of songs he's got ready to share with the world. His new CD, God Only Knew is a compilation of songs that will take you on a trip, and leave you wanting more. The multi-talented artist plays pretty much every instrument, and he shows his vocal chops on a couple of tracks on the album as well.