Sobre el Artista/Ensamble
Award-winning folk and Americana artist Andrew McKnight’s musical journey has traced nearly a million miles of blue highways. That journey has earned him a wealth of critical acclaim and enthusiastic fans for his captivating performances and ten recordings, as a solo artist and in his genre-bending quartet Beyond Borders with founding Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson. The singer/songwriter, guitarist and storytender’s latest solo project Treasures in My Chest is an album and book resulting from his singular experiences exploring his family history.
Hailing from the historic village of Lincoln, Andrew also teaches guitar and songwriting, offers a variety of programs and workshops for students and adult learners, and is a consultant for people learning to use DNA for genealogy and family history research. His music has been featured in several documentaries and podcasts, and he has written songs with kindergarteners as well as one on one with veterans to help healing their PTSD.
Descripción del concierto/actuación
Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders blends his charming tenor voice and acoustic and electric guitars in a frequently shifting mix of banjo, mandolin, upright bass, drums, and percussion. Valuing the artistry of taut arrangements over flashy instrumental jams, Andrew and Les along with Stephanie Thompson and Lisa Taylor have earned acclaim for their exquisite 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies as well as the unusual and constantly changing combinations of instruments. Their eclectic arrangements of Andrew’s songs and their collaborative creations fuse oldtime influences, roots rock sounds, and an assimilation of many stylistic elements that truly stretch “beyond Appalachian, beyond blues, beyond folk”. Most shows include Les Thompson sharing a few anecdotes from his experiences recording the Dirt Band’s legendary Will the Circle Be Unbroken album.
Andrew’s solo performances are powerful and entertaining one-man theatre, delivered with warmth and down-home comfort. He weaves his finely-crafted songs and nimble flatpicking together with humorous stories and poetic drama, while the musical soundscape traverses influences from Appalachia, spooky slide and jazzy blues, feisty anthems, and rustic folk. His shows are as likely to include humorous songs written with kindergarteners as some of his powerful collaborations with combat veterans.
Programas Educativos
Telling America’s Stories in Song workshop for elementary/middle schools – uses traditional and original songs on multiple instruments and creates a timeline to explore age-appropriate milestones in American history.
Creative and Musical Writing workshop for schools and adults uses writing exercises, examples and interactive discussion, to illustrate many ways to express one’s interest in a subject through poetry, narrative and/or song. Special focus on overcoming writer’s block, shifting perspective, and coloration through selective detail. Easily tied into ongoing curriculum.
The Gifts in Our Genes adult program – Drawing on his extensive experience researching his
own family through records and DNA testing, Andrew weaves music about – and by! – his ancestors into an
inspirational, educational and highly entertaining 1-hour program. The interactive presentation also provides
valuable tips and techniques for anyone interested in family research.
*with Beyond Borders. From Seeds to Songs workshop collaboratively takes ideas to finished songs.
Other workshops & residencies available as well as block booking discounts, please inquire.
Audiencia
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