Michael Hedges, Don Ross, Preston Reed, Billy McLaughlin, Bjork, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Tchaikovsky, Stephen Bennett, Masaaki Kishibe, Vince DiCola, Dream Theater, Nintendo Entertainment System, Toto, John Williams, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Crash Test Dummies, King Crimson, Mothers of Invention, Peter Gabriel, Siddhartha Gautama, Monty Python's Flying Circus
Andy McKee is one of the world’s finest acoustic soloists. After receiving over 20 million views collectively for his Youtube videos which were posted by the independent record label “Candyrat”, Andy’s success is a testament to the changing nature of the music industry as well as people’s desire for something new and interesting to listen to. At one point, Andy held the 1, 2 and 3 positions for Top-Rated Videos of All Time on the hugely popular website. His videos are still among the highest rated on Youtube. Consequently, Andy has performed to sold out shows in all over the world.
After starting with an interest in electric guitar, Andy turned to the acoustic guitar at the age of 16 and began enjoying and studying the music of Michael Hedges, Don Ross, Billy McLaughlin and Preston Reed. To this day he still sites these four musicians as his primary influences in acoustic music. At the same time, Andy draws inspiration from various other musicians and groups such as; Earth Wind and Fire, The Yellowjackets, Bjork, Imogen Heap, Pantera, Eric Johnson, Peter Gabriel, Dream Theater, Bruce Hornsby, and many others.
While there are countless amazing guitar players in the world, it is Andy’s attention to song structure and melodic content that elevates him above the typical guitarist. It can be observed that Andy likes to try different things with the guitar such as; altered tunings, partial capos, percussive hits, and tapping. But in the hands of Andy these are not mere parlor tricks, they are compositional tools used to create some of the finest crafted music for the steel string acoustic guitar.
Andy was born in Topeka, Kansas and still lives there today. He performs between 100-200 shows annually across the world.
Non-board mix taping is encouraged at Andy's live performances for personal use and trading amongst fans, but please respect our policy not to engage in any unathorized commercial or commerce driven components related to Andy's music or media.
Guitar.net
January 4, 2008
"[Andy McKee's] masterful acoustic guitar performances have become the most popular guitar videos on YouTube, we think as much for his composing skills as his phenomenal technique."
The Lefsetz Letter
December 14, 2007
“Andy McKee is a genuine YouTube sensation. He’s had over 7 million views on YouTube, placing him in the top 40 most-viewed videos of ALL TIME and the top 20 most-subscribed of all time.”
Brickfish.com
July 18, 2007
"He is a model for us all...demonstrating more technique and emotion than any guitar "idol" that has graced mainstream media today."
Isle of Wight News
June 10, 2007
"Not only is McKee a master of the instrument, he would also appear to be a master of his craft, and his lyric free songs consistently manage to transcend a broad range of topics and themes."
Don Ross on Andy McKee
May 12, 2007
“The most innovative and exciting fingerstyle guitarist to emerge in years…the most textural player of the instrument since Michael Hedges.”
Michael Gulezian
2007
"Thank you for bringing beauty to the acoustic guitar world.
I have never smelled the slightest whiff of cheese, in any of your compositions. Thank you for keeping the standard so high."
Stephen Bennett
2007
"Andy McKee is one of the most musical and inventive guitarists I know. And he's a really nice human being too!"-
