He's One Of Rock's Best Jugglers, And He's Coming To Asbury

Bret Michaels is one of rock’s great jugglers, successfully managing a solo career and touring with his band Poison while overseeing a juvenile diabetes foundation, working with the American Diabetes Association and pursuing charitable business ventures.

“I definitely like to keep busy,” Michaels said. “I think it’s important to constantly challenge yourself and stretch yourself.

“Music is my first love, it’s my passion,” he said. “But I’m also a businessman and I have a lot of exciting partnerships in the works. My philanthropic work is always a huge priority for me.”

Michaels recently recorded his fifth solo album, “Get Your Rock On,” scheduled for release this summer. In September, he brings his Life Rocks tour to the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. Michaels’ Life Rocks Foundation sends kids with juvenile diabetes to summer sleep-away camps. The singer has battled Type 1 Diabetes since he was 6.

“The Life Rocks Foundation is one of the ways I’m giving back with this tour,” Michaels said. “We are so excited about being able to raise money for diabetes research and being able to send diabetic children to camps ... so they know that they’re not the only ones going through this and that they don’t have to deal with it on their own.”

Michaels said his  new album is both a continuation of and evolution from its predecessor, 2010’s “Custom Built.” Both records are rooted in rock while touching on country. “Get Your Rock On” features a duet between Michaels and country legend Loretta Lynn on the Poison chart-topper, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

“As an artist, you need to evolve continually in order to stay fresh, but it has to be organic,” Michaels said. “In that way “Get Your Rock On” is a little bit of both. It’s kind of a natural offshoot from “Custom Built.” Both are hard rock albums that I’m proud of,  but this one has such a fun, fresh sound that feels exactly right for me at this time.”

This summer Michaels will undertake a  rigorous touring schedule. When Poison hits the road with Def Leppard and Lita Ford on June 20, Michaels will continue to play solo shows on nearly every off day. In two instances he will play four consecutive nights between Poison and solo gigs. He said he’s excited about, and prepared for, the physical and mental challenge.

“It’s a crazy schedule for sure and you have to stay on point and in peak condition,” Michaels said. “I work out every day to make sure I’m staying in the best shape possible, physically, and keep my stamina up.”

Michaels said he’s grateful to have the opportunity to play such Poison fan favorites as “Talk Dirty to Me” and “Nothin’ But a Good Time” while exploring new avenues as a solo artist. Fans will have an opportunity to see Michaels with Poison on Wednesday, July 11, at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“With Poison we’ve been playing together for 26  years,” Michaels said. “We have an amazing chemistry and I honestly think that as the years go by, we just keep getting better and better.

“But my solo act is such a great way for me to express who I am as a musician and a performer beyond all of that,” he said. “I have more of a chance to take risks as an artist and try out new things and evolve in my own way.”

It would have been hard to imagine Michaels as a budding philanthropist when Poison burst on the rock scene with its 1986 debut record, “Look What the Cat Dragged In.”

The album’s songs  focused mainly on chasing girls, partying and the pursuit of hedonistic good times. But Michaels said he’s always been cognizant of the need to balance the rock lifestyle and living with diabetes. His success has afforded him the opportunity to give back.

Michaels’ latest initiatives include his Champions of Health fitness challenge for young adults - details will be announced in the next month at http://www.goodchime.com/launch/bret-michaels - and the introduction of a  line of pet products, dubbed “Pets Rock,” this summer.

“I have a ton going on right now,” Michaels said. “This summer is definitely going to be crazy for me.”

For more information on Bret Michaels, visit www.bretmichaels.com. 

Bret Michaels, plus special guests JACandJILL(cq)

Paramount Theatre, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park

$34.50 to $99.50

732-897-6500 or http://apboardwalk.com

*EDITORS' NOTE: The show was postponed from May 12.