Local Hollister musician Michael Annotti will get a chance to play for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium this year…play music that is. He was chosen to sing the National Anthem prior to the Oct. 23 home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Then in November, Annotti will be a featured guest on the TV show, “The Faithful,” which was taped on Friday, May 27 at the team studios, also at Levi’s Stadium.
According to its website: “The Faithful” is a documentary series by 49ers Studios that is truly for the fans because it is (about?) the fans. Narrated by two-time Super Bowl champion Dwight Hicks, the show will take fans on journeys into the lives of the greatest 49ers stories that need to be told.”
A native son of Hollister, both sides of Annotti’s family are originally from Italy and immigrated to New York prior to settling in Hollister where they worked hard building local cannery businesses more than 50 years ago. The family was able to educate their children at Sacred Heart School and provide the opportunity to continue to prosper in their lives. Unlike many musicians with innate talent discovered at an early age, Annotti did not study or educate himself in music until he was in his early 20’s.
He began his journey in music in 1992 with no lessons, no instruments, no songs, no musician friends and no music business contacts. “I was alone,” he said. “I was going to school studying electro/mechanical drafting with the intention of getting a job so I could buy instruments and eventually become a working musician/recording artist, as I am now.”
Most musicians, like all other artists, are driven by a passion for their craft and calling of their talent. As such, they do not define their success by fame and money. Being an artist is at the core of their beings; tempered, shaped, colored and sculpted by life’s experience, education, discipline, blood, sweat and tears. Annotti makes his living as a professional musician by following a disciplined and ambitious career path.
As a young person, Annotti was inspired by the Super Bowl championship-winning San Francisco 49ers teams of the early 1980s. “I instantly gravitated toward true champions. I noticed a difference in the way they carried themselves when I was a young kid,” he said. “As a young man, and to this day, I will always listen to and study the interviews of those whom I consider to be champions; those who have made a positive impact, not only in the world of sports but in all walks of life.”
Team spirit is also a core tenet of Annotti’s family life. “My wife and kids are my world. Everything I do is for them. There is no greater joy for me than to see them happy and fulfilled. I work persistently at being the best father and husband I can be, a strong positive role model, reliable and always there to listen,” he said. “In my music career, I set big goals for myself with the intention of inspiring my wife and children to do the same with their chosen paths in life, to have faith in what their heart desires, write down their goals, focus on the positive, be of service to others, put in the work and keep the faith because faith can move mountains!” Annotti said. “We are a team, I instilled a team mentality in my family. Everybody has to use their God-given talents to do their part, and pull their weight for the good of all,” he said.
Annotti was asked to be featured on the show “The Faithful” by producer Rob Alberino Jr. As a lifelong 49er fan, Annotti watched an episode of the TV show and wrote to Alberino just to let him know that he appreciated his work and enjoyed the show. The producer wrote back to Annotti and thanked him. Sensing a possible opportunity, Annotti then asked Alberino if he knew whom Annotti should contact to inquire about his music being played into the stadium rotation that plays songs during 49er football games, a goal he had set for himself many years ago.
Alberino asked Annotti to send him links to his music which, of course, he did. Alberino liked the songs and wrote to Annotti that he wanted to speak to him on the phone. During the scheduled phone conversation, Alberino told Annotti that he would like to feature him in an episode of “The Faithful” TV show and asked if Annotti was interested. “I was honored and gratefully said yes,”Annotti said. “My feature will air on CSN Bay Area in November. You can see previous features of ‘The Faithful’ at www.49ers.com.” he said.
When asked about how he was chosen to sing the National Anthem prior to the Oct. 23 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium, Annotti said, “I recorded my rendition of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ and sent it to Rob Alberino Jr. and he loved it. A month went by and I got the call from the 49ers entertainment director letting me know that they wanted to line me up to do the National Anthem at Levi’s Stadium. I feel honored, grateful and excited to be chosen to sing America’s National Anthem.” he said.
Annotti has also worked with other Bay Area notable athletes and performers. He connected with former 49er and 2015 Denver Bronco Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis for Davis’ Foundation for the Arts in San Jose to help at-risk youth in the Bay Area explore their innate artistic talent. Annotti has also worked with musician and former three time World Series champion San Francisco Giants third base coach Tim Flannery, a musician who agreed to perform songs at a fundraiser concert in Santa Cruz produced by Annotti last November.
One of Annotti’s other passions is charitable community spirit and humanitarian philanthropy. He aspires to develop a 501c3 nonprofit organization called The One Family Foundation. Its mission is to assist those who are in need. “As I continue to have success, it is important to me to pay it forward to my community locally, nationally as well as globally by making a positive impact,” he said.
“I also created the One Family Benefit Concert as an annual event scheduled the Saturday before the Thanksgiving Holiday featuring live bands, DJ’s and raffles to raise awareness and solicit canned food and money donations for Dorothy’s Place in Salinas that feeds the hungry,” Annotti said. He also donates to the Community Food Bank of San Benito County, Emmaus House, Music for Meals as well as homeless veterans and others who live on the streets and need help. He plans to produce the third annual One Family Benefit Concert this year, which will be Nov. 19 at a venue to be determined.
Listen to Michael Annotti’s song “Time Keeps Tickin” in the video link below.
You can check out Michael Annotti’s web page at: http://www.michaelannotti.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/michaelannotti/?fref=ts
Purchase/download his music at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/michael-annotti/id208111632
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