Andy McKee

Name: Andy McKee
Born: 4th April, 1979 (Topeka, Kansas, USA)

Profile: He is an American fingerstyle guitarist currently signed to the American record label 'Candyrat Records'. His style of playing and his compositions have earned him a considerable international fanbase in late 2006.

History: McKee played his first guitar, an Aria nylon string bought by his father, at age 13 and began listening to metal, such as "Dream Theater". He described how he was a 'metal freak' during childhood, even performing a "Metallica" song in his high school talent show. It wasn't until he saw Preston Reed perform live at a clinic. McKee later bought an instructional videotape from Reed and began to learn more complex guitar techniques from it, he has stuck with acoustic music in his professional life.

In 2001, McKee independently released his first album 'Nocturne'. That same year, he was placed third at the National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition in Winfield, Kansas. In 2003, McKee toured in Taiwan with Jacques Stotzem, Isato Nakagawa, and Masaaki Kishibe, and earned first place in the 'Miscellaneous Acoustic Instrument' contest of the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships.

In 2004, McKee released his second album 'Dreamcatcher', followed by 'Art of Motion' (2005) and 'Gates of Gnomeria' (2007). In 2008, he spent the majority on tour throughout the world, performing with other 'Candyrat' artists and promoting both 'Gates of Gnomeria' and his collaborative album with Don Ross.

In 2009, McKee announced that he was intending to finish touring and concentrate on recording his upcoming album titled 'Joyland'. In this album, there's also a new harp guitar tune and a couple of covers such as "Layover" by Michael Hedges and one of his favorite 80's tunes.

Influences: Eric Johnson, Dream Theater, Preston Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Lukather, Metallica, Joe Satriani, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Steve Erquiaga, Vince Di Cola, Toto, Peter Gabriel, Imogen Heap, King Crimson, Primus, Pat Metheny, Don Ross, Michael Hedges, Billy McLaughlin and Pat Kirtley

Axology: Greenfield G4 and GB Guitars, Lance McCollum Baritone Guitar, Ron Spillers Harp Guitars

Signature song(s): Drifting, Rylynn and Africa

Link(s):

http://www.andymckee.com (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmE3QaGetn4&feature=fvst