Energetic Shenandoah contemporary rural singer/songwriter with diverse "mountain gumbo" of styles, rich vocals, and standout guitar; "positive, upbeat, magnetic"

16 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, FOLK: Traditional Folk



Details:
Environmental engineer-turned-songwriter Andrew McKnight is a high energy crowd pleaser for audiences nationwide, from intimate unplugged house concerts to large stages such as the New Artist showcases at the Falcon Ridge, Kerrville and Napa Valley Folk Festivals.

A modern-day manifestation of the traditional pioneer folk artist, this Shenandoah Valley songwriter, guitarist and poet's rurally-based music reflects an oral history built on the past while firmly rooted in the present. Andrew frames his stories and observations in a diverse southern " 'mountain gumbo' brand of music that mixes folk, blues and bluegrass in one appealing and energetic sound" (Norwich Bulletin).

Andrew's wry insights, vocal richness and bluesy guitar licks have become distinctive trademarks. "His ability to write songs left me with visions of Staines, Mallett, and Gorka, and I found Andrew McKnight to be one of the most exciting new contemporary talents to come along in years." (Tidewater Friends of Folk Music).

Andrew's environmental background and advocacy for the preservation of rural and historic America often color his characters' personal relationships with their changing landscape, such as the Appalachian lament of a dying "Company Town" to mountaintop mining or the struggle with sprawl faced by "A Town Called Progress". "There are musicians who sing about the environment, and environmentalists who play music, but rarely are talent and passion combined the way that Andrew McKnight unites them." (Appalachian Voice). He will be featured in a forthcoming pictorial book entitled SAVING THE BAY: People Working for the Future of the Chesapeake Bay for his strong environmental ethic and his unique ability to impact listeners through musical storytelling.

Andrew tours nationally as a full-time performer, with his resume including performances at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the Kennedy Center, Appalshop Theatre, the Appalachian Arts Festival and Baltimore's blockbuster Artscape 2000 minus 1 Festival as well as listening rooms, festivals, concert halls and coffeehouses across the US. Andrew is also one third of the exciting Appalachian roots music trio Dang Varmints! (http://www.shenandoahacoustics.com/dv ), whose energetic and eclectic blend of original folk, oldtime, blues, bluegrass and Celtic music, 3-part harmonies and great stories have delighted audiences around the mid-Atlantic states. In addition to a heavy national tour schedule, he occasionally leads workshops on songwriting, various aspects of the acoustic music industry, and environmental issues.