Take Michael Hedges, some Metallica, some Irish folk tunes, and classical music, shove it into an acoustic guitar, add some electric guitar arrangements, and you get A.D. This instrumental album will inspire you to write and is not to be missed.

17 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Instrumental Rock, WORLD: Celtic



Details:
Paul Finley's experience in music is as vast as it is colored. Born and raised in Waukesha, Wisconsin. A graduate and former faculty member of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Playing guitar since age 12 and performing in bands soon after, Paul's first method of transporting his gear to band practice was his old red wagon.

Today he tours internationally as the ground breaking Acoustic Spoken Groove ( Peter Nevland & Paul Finley) and Spoken Groove based in Austin, Texas. To date, they have recorded 4 CD's.

Add to that Paul's 2 beautiful solo CD's "A.D." and "14 Windows". Those found time on the airwaves of National Public Radio, K.U.T. Austin, KUMR Rolla MO, MIX 107 Stratford ON, KNLE Austin TX. A third CD is planned for 2006. Paul's unique "melody strumming" creates the sound of multiple guitars from one instrument, giving live audiences a big charge. Performances have brought Peter & Paul to major conventions and festivals such as: Soul Survivor (England), Youth Specialties, Emergent Conventions, A.C. Radio Seminar, Icthus Festival, Pitch & Praise (Canada), opening for or appearing with the likes of Jars Of Clay, Lost & Found, Mercy Me, Amy Grant, Shaun Groves, Mitch McVicker, and David Crowder. Touring venues include colleges, bars, conventions, poetry slams, coffee houses, churches, prison, youth camps, schools, homes, even a classy Waffle House parking lot.

Performing, recording and teaching began in the mid 1980's for Paul while he was still in high school. Austin has been his home since 1997. Projects there were of all shapes and sizes; so indicative of Austinâs vast pool and variety of musicians. Appearing with the Austin Symphony Orchestra as a mandolinist, another of Paul's skills, lead to working with top collegiate orchestra The University Of Texas Wind Ensemble. The City Of Austin honored him on September 26, 2002 with Paul Finley day presented by the Mayor.

Previous to Spoken Groove, Paul performed as a theater guitarist for Improv comedy troupes, in the Celtic group Glenn Glaz on guitar, mandolin, doumbek and tenor banjo, or Cajun band Bayou Beaujoulias, Alterna-Country mandolin with Miss Xanna Don't, choir ensembles, solo gigs, even cool kids performances. His music teaching continued at the Austin Guitar School and privately as well.

His first serious band Mas Optica began in the mid 80's. This Inde-rock band had a 10 year history, totaling 7 releases/demos/compilations internationally and regionally on indie labels or on their own. Tours were in the American Midwest but unfortunately never to Europe, where press such as Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, and other 'zines and radio kept requesting more and helped them to develop a fan base overseas. Not busy enough, Paul also worked as a proofreader for music publishing giant Hal Leonard Inc. He also squeezed in a 3 week U.S. tour with a United Airlines trade show band.

From '95 to '97 Paul lived in Phoenix, Arizona. This period began the use of his solo material in soundtracks, which continues today. Documentaries, commercials and promo videos have been produced for regional to international applications.

Wrap up these skills and experiences with an inseparable love of the outdoors and bad jokes, it all comes out the hands of Paul Finley.