Michael Patrick Tiernan

It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we mourn the loss of Michael.  He battled diabetes for the last 16 years. Michael was an incredibly talented musician, touring with The Motet for many years, then with his own band, The Peaceful Warriors. Michael taught music for several years in the public school system as well as privately. He held an Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology from Community College of Denver, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Metropolitan State University of Denver. In 2019, he began his career as a mental health counselor at Centennial Peaks Hospital. Michael’s light of his life was his son, Kinsman, who he shared countless fun adventures with. Something Michael always told Kinsman was that no matter what, the show must go on.

Michael was witty, funny and a musical genius. He had mastered the art of cooking and made the most creative and delicious meals. He was always trying to make us smile and laugh. He loved his family and friends fiercely. There will always be an empty spot at our table, on the stage, and in our hearts.  A celebration of life is being planned in August.

January 26, 1976 – June 2, 2022.

He is survived by his son, Kinsman Tiernan. Mother: Carolyn Carpenter. Father: Craig Tiernan. Sister: Jennifer Tiernan. Stepbrother: Sean Smith. And his tribe of musician friends (too many to name, you know who you are).

michael tiernan

20 thoughts on “Michael Patrick Tiernan”

  1. Mikee T!!

    I’m so sad to see you go, but I’m so glad I got to enjoy you and your music for the time we had together. You taught me “will it go around in circles “ and plenty of chords that I still use today. I remember you absolutely crushing the jam on “wheels on fire” at our Waltzes several years in a row. You were the first guitarist o saw play in Colorado, and I was blown away.

    I’ll always love you and celebrate you and your spirit from here on my man!

  2. Dawn and I will miss you, Mikee. We had so many wonderful adventures back in the 90s and beyond. I’ll miss your constant smile and up for anything attitude.

  3. I met Mikee playing music like so many others. The many years of celebrating Thanksgiving and music at the Last Waltz Revisited have meant so much to me and Mikee was always apart of that. He was an amazing guy, super talented and always showed so much love, kindness and respect. I once had a guitar player bail on me the morning of a show, when I was just finding my sea legs as a band leader and on really short notice. Mikee T. stepped in that night and saved the day. We had a great night. That night more than any other week be the memories I will hold dear. Love you my friend…

  4. I’ll always be grateful for the time we got to spend together making music. You’re one of my biggest influences in the truest sense of the word; I would not be who am I today or be where I am today if not for the time we spent together a mind blowing 25 years ago. I’m sorry we never quite reconnected in recent years. Your whole album and the themes in your songs resonate with me in such a different way with you having moved on. Thanks for everything Tiernan.

  5. Mikee T and I shared a common bond of the music of New Orleans. We traveled through the mountain towns of Colorado sharing that music, throwing together bands for the night, while we explored the philosophy of life, family and music. It was our trifecta and it kept us moving and growing together as well as in different directions. He always was the first one to greet you with a smile and a big handshake or hug and always made you feel heard while he engaged you in his open soul. Take care brother………

  6. Oh Mikey T, I am heartbroken. I loved being on stage with you. I will miss your smile and the sound of your guitar

  7. Loved hearing you play and loved running into you at shows here and there. You were a kind spirit and I know you’ll be missed. Sending lots of love to your family right now

  8. Mikee T – my musical brother always with a smile and hug to share, always encouraging and lifting me up. Always jamming with emotion and amazing skill. I will miss you and know you will always be with us in music and soul.
    Rest easy my man

  9. Oh Brother Mikee….. what a ride. We had some great adventures in those mountains and beyond. Brother, if there is anything I remember lucidly from those times, it was your fierce spirit. It was a spirit of YES!…. Yes, to playing dun-duns… yes to learning songs from different cultures…. yes to playing spiritual drumming music from the african diaspora, Yes to dressing up in all kinds of costumes in front of hundreds of people! You didnt have to say yes, but you did…. the yes was conveyed with those deep and caring eyes, and that big broad, toothy smile. So thank you brother, for saying yes, for trusting, for sharing your joy and your gifts. I felt helpless to reach you when you were battling your demons. Honestly, I didnt know how…. I didnt have the bandwidth. I apologize for not teling you all this, eye to eye in the flesh…. capped with a hug. <3 Youre my guy forever……. We did the thing, we really did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8NhmNNneBM

    1. Mikee-
      I was thinking about you the other day and my heart is heavy because our friendship wasn’t headed down the same road. I want you to know that your friendship meant a lot to me, as short as it was, and you are survived by a caravan of people that loved the light you brought into the world. Rest easy and see you on the other side.

    2. Though we lost touch years ago, I’ll never forget being guitar brothers in the amazing Boulder music scene in the 90s. As has been often mentioned by your friends, you always had a great disposition about you. Thanks for saving me by lending me a guitar when I stupidly forgot to pack mine in our trailer for a gig in one of the mountain towns. By coincidence we both had shows there that night. I’ve never forgotten and told that story countless times. Glad we connected on social media later and I was able to say, hey, thanks for the jams and the good times. You were here and people far and wide remember you. Rest easy.

  10. Mike, I’m grateful for you getting me back into music again after high school when we played those funk parties with Kincus on bass. It was pretty wild! I’m sad we never got to do those gigs in New Orleans this year like we discussed. Rest peacefully, brother 🙏🙏

  11. I am thankful for so many good times, laughs , and jams with Mikee. Like many who connected with him, we became instant friends. We made plans to hit New Orleans for Jazz Fest that year. What should have been totally epic was overshadowed by the Columbine School shooting the day before we were driving down. It was heavy but it was great to be able to have some deep conversations about the world with Mikee. And some not so deep! What a trip!! 1st of many.
    Going to miss playing music, sharing stories, and seeing you man!
    Much love to your family from Linda Lou, the kids and I.

  12. Mikee T….. love you and I am so sorry I was not there for you these last few years. Loved being around you and I loved playing music with you. I remember talking about why you picked the name “The Peaceful Warriors” for your band and you said we are all battling something, …, so we are all warriors..

    “There is no need to search; achievement leads to nowhere. It makes no difference at all, so just be happy now! Love is the only reality of the world, because it is all One, you see. And the only laws are paradox, humor and change. There is no problem, never was, and never will be. Release your struggle, let go of your mind, throw away your concerns, and relax into the world. No need to resist life, just do your best. Open your eyes and see that you are far more than you imagine. You are the world, you are the universe; you are yourself and everyone else, too! It’s all the marvelous Play of God. Wake up, regain your humor. Don’t worry, just be happy. You are already free!”
    Dan Millman -The Way of the Peaceful Warrior

    You are free brother. Love you and your spirit will live through everyone you touched because of your kind soul and humility.

    Thx for letting me part of your life.
    Love Greg

  13. I grew up with “Mikee T” and my brother jamming in our basement since they were in middle school together. They were always forming some new band or other. If I close my eyes, I can still see his toothy grin and hear his fun, infectious laugh. God’s speed Mikee T. Ben Kadlec

  14. Mikee T was a warm and welcoming face when ever our paths crossed… Not only was he an amazing musician, he was also was sincerely amazed by the music of his friends and was a helluva nice guy, too. You will be missed, my friend. Much love and strength to his family.
    Buck

  15. You were an amazing and deep soul Mikee T, so heartbreaking to lose you. We didn’t really jam much together, but I saw you play a lot…from several Motet and Peaceful Warriors shows, stages big and small, to so many years with the Last Waltz. Your calm but fierce prowess as a guitarist and singer was always impressive…and you had the “it” thing going with your stage presence, as well as your off-stage presence. I am thankful for your kindness, your big smile, and the honest spirit your projected. Much love to you and your family, and to all of us left behind. ❤️

  16. Dear Mikey, the years we spent on the road together, touring with the Motet, I will cherish forever. The laughs we shared, the music we made…will never be forgotten.

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