Remembering Michael Schaertl — A Dear Friend and Longtime Collaborator
BRANSON, Mo. — July 2026 — This week we lost our dear friend and longtime collaborator, Michael Schaertl. There are few people who have been as influential in our success as a family business as Michael.
In 2003, the Dutton family worked with the award-winning production team behind the TV show "Touched by an Angel" to produce two PBS specials. Michael Schaertl came on as the director of photography, and a lifelong partnership was born.
Michael went on to direct two more PBS specials for the Duttons in 2016, and he directed around 50 of their best music videos. He brought his expertise, gained over years of working in network television, to each project with the family.
A Lifelong Partnership
Their collaborations included videos produced on multiple continents and many in their hometown of Branson, Missouri.
Michael Schaertl passed away on June 25 after a long battle with brain cancer. We will be forever grateful for his artistic vision, his love, and his friendship, and our hearts go out to his beautiful wife and children.
