Andy McKee (born April 4, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas) is an American fingerstyle guitarist. A live performance he gave of his signature song "Drifting" became a Featured Video on YouTube in late 2006 and since then has achieving over 40 million views, making it one of YouTube's highest-rated music clips.
McKee is lauded by many critics and guitarists as the most promising fingerstyle guitarist to arrive on the scene in some time. Born in 1979 in Topeka Read Full BioAndy McKee (born April 4, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas) is an American fingerstyle guitarist. A live performance he gave of his signature song "Drifting" became a Featured Video on YouTube in late 2006 and since then has achieving over 40 million views, making it one of YouTube's highest-rated music clips.
McKee is lauded by many critics and guitarists as the most promising fingerstyle guitarist to arrive on the scene in some time. Born in 1979 in Topeka, Kansas, Andy began playing guitar on his 13th birthday when his father bought him a classical guitar. It was not long after that Andy got his first electric guitar and began emulating some of his favorite music of the time; Metallica, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, and Dream Theater.
Andy's 16th birthday was a pivotal moment in his life. A guitar playing cousin took him to an acoustic workshop by a guitarist named Preston Reed. Shortly after, Andy discovered the music of three other great acoustic guitarists; Michael Hedges, Don Ross, and Billy McLaughlin, all whom he considers as his primary musical influences today.
Composing was something Andy caught on to a little bit later and started writing when he was 20 years old. Andy released his first CD titled "Nocturne" in 2001 and competed in the prestigious National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition in Winfield, Kansas. He placed 3rd, making him the youngest competitor to ever place in the top 3.
In 2003, Andy began playing internationally beginning with a tour in Taiwan with renowned guitarists Jacques Stotzem, Isato Nakagawa, and Masaaki Kishibe. He also placed 1st in the Miscellaneous Acoustic Instrument contest in his home state of Kansas with the harpguitar. In 2004, Andy Released his 2nd CD titled "Dreamcatcher". With the title track, Andy won a competition to have a chance to perform on stage with bassist Michael Manring. Andy also won 1st place in the Kansas Fingerstyle Guitar Competition and 2nd in the Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition.
In the time since, Andy has performed in various parts of the world including Japan, China, Belgium, England, Canada, and will begin performing even more in the States now. In late 2005 Andy joined Candyrat record label alongside one of his biggest inspirations, Don Ross.
From Andy, "Most of all, I hope my music communicates something to the listener. I don't want to just play music with a lot of skill. I hope listening to my music is an emotional experience!"
Related Links
Official website
Official Myspace
Official Facebook
McKee is lauded by many critics and guitarists as the most promising fingerstyle guitarist to arrive on the scene in some time. Born in 1979 in Topeka Read Full BioAndy McKee (born April 4, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas) is an American fingerstyle guitarist. A live performance he gave of his signature song "Drifting" became a Featured Video on YouTube in late 2006 and since then has achieving over 40 million views, making it one of YouTube's highest-rated music clips.
McKee is lauded by many critics and guitarists as the most promising fingerstyle guitarist to arrive on the scene in some time. Born in 1979 in Topeka, Kansas, Andy began playing guitar on his 13th birthday when his father bought him a classical guitar. It was not long after that Andy got his first electric guitar and began emulating some of his favorite music of the time; Metallica, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, and Dream Theater.
Andy's 16th birthday was a pivotal moment in his life. A guitar playing cousin took him to an acoustic workshop by a guitarist named Preston Reed. Shortly after, Andy discovered the music of three other great acoustic guitarists; Michael Hedges, Don Ross, and Billy McLaughlin, all whom he considers as his primary musical influences today.
Composing was something Andy caught on to a little bit later and started writing when he was 20 years old. Andy released his first CD titled "Nocturne" in 2001 and competed in the prestigious National Fingerstyle Guitar Competition in Winfield, Kansas. He placed 3rd, making him the youngest competitor to ever place in the top 3.
In 2003, Andy began playing internationally beginning with a tour in Taiwan with renowned guitarists Jacques Stotzem, Isato Nakagawa, and Masaaki Kishibe. He also placed 1st in the Miscellaneous Acoustic Instrument contest in his home state of Kansas with the harpguitar. In 2004, Andy Released his 2nd CD titled "Dreamcatcher". With the title track, Andy won a competition to have a chance to perform on stage with bassist Michael Manring. Andy also won 1st place in the Kansas Fingerstyle Guitar Competition and 2nd in the Canadian Fingerstyle Guitar Competition.
In the time since, Andy has performed in various parts of the world including Japan, China, Belgium, England, Canada, and will begin performing even more in the States now. In late 2005 Andy joined Candyrat record label alongside one of his biggest inspirations, Don Ross.
From Andy, "Most of all, I hope my music communicates something to the listener. I don't want to just play music with a lot of skill. I hope listening to my music is an emotional experience!"
Related Links
Official website
Official Myspace
Official Facebook
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Meow
2019 and I still listen to all of your music!
Andy Mckee, you the man.
This song help me through hard times.
Inspirational and Motivational, I love it.
Many blessings to you.
zee
burningburney94
it looks like he and his guitar are having a conversation, and he can't help but agree with it.
Carlton Banks
best comment i read in a long time :D
poisenbery
i think you unintentionally just broke down the writing process of acoustic music.
whenever i come up with a melody or a riff that I think is "correct," i start to nod my head like andy does.
it's like...part of your brain recognizes that what you are playing is "right" and then you start to have a "yes that is correct" response.
Maxime Couhailler
What a song, I remember watching these videos without even playing guitar, and today Andy McKee is one of my greatest inspirations and I'm currently learning this song. Thank you Master !
Jeffrey Kim
This piece, Rylynn, and drifting hands down my favorites
Eric L
Those were the original three for me too. It’s Rylynn, blue liquid, and life as a CPA now.
mutlukats
like how the hell can you dislike this? This is not scene, this is not pretentious, he's not a sell-out, this is just a talented guy playing his instrument. Maybe acoustic music isn't your cup of tea, but for heaven's sake respect the shitload of effort and work he's put into practicing so that he's become able to play this kind of stuff so fluently and effortlessly.
James
He can die happy knowing he’s created some of the most beautiful acoustic music ever what a legend
neoasura
I miss old school Youtube like this. I come back to this at least once a year.