By the mid '80s, inspired by the latest wave of overseas bands such as R.E.M., Green on Red, The Dream Syndicate and The Triffids, whose influences mirrored his own newly found interest in Gram Parsons, Hank Williams, The Byrds, as well as the new wave of country acts such as Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam and Nanci Griffith, King joined the country rock band Gary Hall and The Stormkeepers.

In 1995 they signed to the German label Glitterhouse Records and released their debut album, Singing the Glory Down, which earned a good reception from both critics and the British alt-country scene of the time.

The album featured a guest appearance by Townes Van Zandt[5] with whom Michael had toured Europe in 1994 and 1995, singing together "Riding on the Range" as a duet.

King wrote and appeared in They Call Her Natasha, with his wife Lou Dalgleish, a musical play, based around the songs of Elvis Costello which was performed at the Edinburgh Festival, and various theatres around the UK.

In 2017 My Darling Clementine released the more country soul orientated album Still Testifying[14] which was recorded in London and produced again by Neil Brockbank (Nick Lowe),(Jim Lauderdale).

Most recently they have collaborated with Steve Nieve on a series of 4 track Ep's called Country Darkness '[16] re-interpreting the songs of Elvis Costello for duet 2010 saw the release of King's latest solo album, a collection of protest songs entitled I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier,[17] which addressed the serious issues facing everyday people in such difficult modern times.

In the 12 months following its release, King appeared at many public protests, political rallies and human rights events in the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, North America and by May 2011 played his first live shows in China.