Andy McKee (born April 4, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas) is an American fingersty… Read Full Bio ↴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, 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, 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
The Gates of Gnomeria
Andy McKee Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Andy McKee:
Africa I hear the drums echoing tonight But she hears only whisper…
Art of Motion [Instrumental]…
Drifting [Instrumental]…
For My Father [Instrumental]…
Heather's Song [Instrumental]…
I Will See You Again [Instrumental]…
Into the Ocean [Instrumental]…
Keys to the Hovercar [Instrumental]…
Practice Is Perfect [Instrumental]…
When She Cries [Instrumental]…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Pedro Barbani
I remember when I first encounter his music here at YouTube. Everything went upside down, musically speaking, in my life. This unique approach to music, to musical construction, harmony, it's like his songs have so much to tell me about him, his life, how he feels, how he does not want to feel... Andy is a huge source of inspiration to me nowadays. I've been hearing his music for years, enjoying every note, for each one of them is a gem. I never had the chance to thank him. For me, Ebon Coast and Rylynn are the OST of my dull-but-then-brighter days.
Dale Cole-Maney
Cant agree more. I came across Andy for the first time in my sophomore year of high school. This guy is amazing. My friend named his first daughter after the song Rylynn
Pizza Boss
This guy is a genius, totally original. He brings so much to world of harp guitar, a real shining diamond.
DuRdees WuRLd
JuiceMan so its a harptar!!
Jull Santos
Uma mΓΊsica que todos ENTENDEM ... fala todos os IDIOMAS !! S E N S A C I O N A L =)
Aviva Eliana
watching this makes me absolutely want to cry from the overwhelming amount of emotion it generates and expresses. resonates in my heart's inner guitar strings. beautiful. magical. thank you.
Nedialko Nedialkov
You are a real talent! You have just made my day. I can't even begin to imagine how much time, effort and emotion you have put into making this amazing heart-warming music, but the final product is just brilliant. Thank you!
Ryan Ford
love this song, he didn't try to overuse the "hey look! my guitar has more strings!" he just used the instrument to its best potential.
Vilma Crissien
One of the must amazing acoustic guitar players I've ever heard in my life, so beautiful melodies that can touch anyone's soul and heart!
romeo2413
This is among Andy's best work, this song is VERY underrated. Absolutely amazing composition, excellent build up, and the whole song is just....transcendent.