FOR YOUR GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION

IDIOT AT THE WHEEL

Best Rock Album

-MOTU-

Richard Branciforte, Editor of Good Times Magazine, writes about MOTU’s 25th Album,

“Can’t get much more political.”

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

Best Rock Performance

Best Rock Song

+

Best Music Video

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON

From the 25th MOTU album

IDIOT AT THE WHEEL

(full album released: March 10, 2026)

Recorded LIVE in the studio.

Musicians on this recording:

MOTU: Vocals & Electric Slide Guitar

Dee Michelson: Vocals

Ed Modzel: Drums

Rich Fry: Acoustic Guitar

Susan Karejwa: Bass

Phil Reinstein: Accordion

Music Reviews

Once again, Dr Richard Michelson (MOTU) jumps across the genres of blues, rock, Americana and jazz fusion to deliver a seamless production touching on a variety of political and societal issues, while performing a range of instruments including keyboards, harmonica, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, pedal steel guitar, and dobro… These 10 new MOTU original songs continue to demonstrate Dr Rich’s evolution in songwriting and his masterful skills as a performer, band leader and engineer. MOTU’s 25th album, Idiot At The Wheel, is a mature American Roots Blues Rock & Americana album dominated by meaningful lyrics and masterful musicianship and, as such is highly recommended for long-time Motu fans and newcomers alike.

-Roots Music Report



If someone told you that a local musician had put out 25 original albums in the last 50 years, would you believe it? That’s exactly what Dr. Richard Michelson has done with the release of his latest, and most ambitious album, Idiot At The Wheel. Dr. Michelson, better known as MOTU, has crafted a beautiful blend of jazz fusion, Americana and Blues. …he dissects the hypocrisy of what he’s seeing in his own country…. Can’t get much more political... This MOTU album is a real keeper, and makes you want more. Can’t wait for number 26.

-Good Times Magazine

Music Awards

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2020 Best of Long Island Competition

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2022 Best of Long Island Competition

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2024 Best of Long Island Competition

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2025 Best of Long Island Competition

 - Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2026 Best of Long Island Competition

- Past Semi-Finalist Winner in the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis (IBC)

- Past Semi-Finalist Winner in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

MOTU® is Music of the Universe

Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, and 2020 Best of Long Island Competitions, a past Semi-Finalist Winner in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), and a past Semi-Finalist Winner of the International Blues Challenge (IBC), MOTU has a growing Global Fan Base that can also be demonstrated from his over 475,000+ Indie CD & DVD sales, his almost Quarter-Million Followers on Facebook, and by the over 10 Million Views of his live videos on YouTube. 




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