Andy McKee

Andy McKee is one of the world's best-known modern fingerstyle guitarists. His groundbreaking instrumental compositions and viral YouTube success helped introduce a new generation to acoustic guitar music. In this episode of The Ireland Podcast, Andy joins me in Galway to discuss his musical journey, the influence of Michael Hedges and Preston Reed, writing instrumental music, alternate tunings, fan-fret guitars and the enduring appeal of acoustic guitar. Andy also reflects on being invited to Paisley Park by Prince, the impact of YouTube on his career, his love of Irish-made guitars, and why Ireland always feels a little like coming home. Recorded in Galway during Andy's Irish tour. Topics include: Prince and Paisley Park The story behind Drifting Modern fingerstyle guitar Michael Hedges and Preston Reed Fan-fret and harp guitars Lowden and Avalon guitars Songwriting and creativity Touring Ireland Relevant Links https://andymckee.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy McKee shares his perspective on creativity, meditation, alternate guitar tunings, and the mysterious source of inspiration that artists seem to tap into. The conversation explores the idea of music as discovery rather than invention, the emotional power of instrumental music, and how certain songs become permanently intertwined with moments of grief, healing, and memory. Donny reflects on learning Andy’s song “For My Father” after the passing of his dad, playing it for his mother during hospice, and later for his newborn son — a reminder of how music can follow us through every chapter of life. Together, they discuss the concept of “beginner’s mind,” the role meditation plays in creativity, and why music continues to transcend generations and emotional experiences. More on Andy McKee here . Music referenced in this episode: Andy McKee - “For My Father” Andy McKee - “Drifting” Michael Hedges - “Ursa Major” Trevor Gordon Hall - “This Beautiful Chaos” Eric Johnson - “Cliffs of Dover” Vince DiCola - "Training Montage" | Rocky IV (Original Motion Picture Score) Vince DiCola - "War" | Rocky IV (Original Motion Picture Score) John Williams - “Theme from Schindler’s List” Other music/artists mentioned: Preston Reed, Don Ross, Prince, Dream Theater, Pierre Bensusan, Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Extreme, Buckethead, Bach, The White Stripes. This episode’s Spotify Playlist Dreamcatcher Studio | Mixing & Mastering ––––– If this episode stayed with you, there’s a simple way to support the work behind Music Ghost Stories . You can also support the show for free by leaving a rating or review wherever you listen. –––––

We trace Andy McKee’s path from Topeka guitar classes to a 61 million view breakout, touring the world while keeping family first. He plays Drifting and Africa live, explains fingerstyle, alternate tunings, and shares advice for learners and working musicians. • switching from electric riffs to solo acoustic fingerstyle • discovering altered tunings and percussive guitar • the YouTube front-page moment and CandyRat strategy • collaborations with Josh Groban, Toto circles, and Prince • composing by ear and arranging songs for one guitar • timing, practice habits, and practical learning advice • touring model, stage presence, and audience connection • why Topeka still feels like home and local favorites • signature Greenfield guitar and fan-fret intonation • where to follow Andy for music, tours, and lessons ________________________________________ 0:00 - Welcome And Origins In Topeka 2:46 - From Electric Riffs To Fingerstyle 6:10 - School Guitar Class And Early Bands 10:45 - Dust In The Wind And Tunings 13:45 - Dadgad, Drifting, And New Tunings 16:27 - YouTube Breakthrough And CandyRat 20:40 - Viral Impact And Big Collaborations 24:15 - Teaching, Timing, And Learning Advice 28:35 - Career Steps, Competitions, And Tours 33:10 - Prince, Josh Groban, And Life Balance 37:05 - Touring Today And Stagecraft 40:35 - Originals Vs Covers And Influences 44:00 - Why Topeka And Local Life 46:53 - Signature Guitar And Fan Frets 50:14 - Performing Drifting Live 56:35 - Technique, Dynamics, And Exploration 59:35 - Arranging Africa And Layering Parts 1:05:20 - Toto, Networking, And Teaching Retreat ________________________________________ Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️ Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KS Website -- https://topekainsider.com/ Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/ Follow Your Hosts: 📱 Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day. Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/ Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jd For Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!

Andy McKee, the fingerstyle guitar legend who went viral before the term even existed, shares his incredible life story in this in-depth podcast. From metalhead to acoustic master, from high school dropout to world star who played with Prince - but refused his iconic 50-foot cape!In this conversation, Andy reveals:-The moment Prince asked him to perform (and why he said NO to the cape)- His journey from Iron Maiden fan to fingerstyle innovator- Why he quit university after just one day- Tour stories with Tommy Emmanuel- The YouTube video that changed his life- His biggest influences: Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Eric JohnsonAndy's percussive fingerstyle technique and melodic compositions have inspired millions worldwide. His tune "Drifting" was one of the first truly viral guitar videos on YouTube, leading to world tours, collaborations with music legends, and a lasting impact on the modern acoustic guitar world.

The Senie Hunt Trio is a musical group fronted by Senie Hunt, a self-taught singer-songwriter and percussive guitarist who was adopted from Sierra Leone. His music is heavily influenced by his inherent passion for West African rhythms and percussion, which he initially explored through djembe drumming to process early childhood traumas from Sierra Leone's Diamond wars.Senie's unique guitar style merges traditional techniques with a percussive groove. He was influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, The Allman Brothers, Michael Hedges, Tommy Emmanuel, and Andy McKee. His experimentation with drumming on the guitar sets him apart from other acoustic guitarists, often incorporating live looping.The trio consists of:Senie Hunt on guitar and vocalsJenna Kopitske on drumsVictor Gonzalez on bassThe Senie Hunt Trio's music spans genres including Americana, Blues, Folk, Percussive Guitar, Reggae, and World Music. They are known for spreading "love & light while rocking out and embracing the power of music to bring people together". Senie Hunt himself has been recognized for his guitar mastery, receiving the Innovators award at the GSM Music Awards in 2020 and a nomination for best male act of the year by the New England Music Awards in 2021. They have shared the stage with notable artists like Richard Thompson and The Wailers.Subscribe!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvkZLJoveb8UNdXMLSZAXA?sub_confirmation=1Fox Cities Core is a live interview show that airs live on WCZR Code Zero Radio.CodeZeroRadio.com#FoxCitiesCore #CodeZeroRadio #seniehunt #JennaKopitske #victorgonzalez

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers, I am excited to meet with Andy McKee, the founder of the Zoology Zone Science Center, here in Valley Park. The Zoology Zone started as a reptile and amphibian rescue center, and it’s now an educational facility for families. All the animals here are rescued and rehabilitated, and we get to learn about their science and their rescue stories. Andy explains that his love for reptiles and amphibians began with his parents, who were both educators. His father started the first herpetology program in 1986. Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians, and Andy followed in his father’s footsteps by starting his own herpetology program while teaching science. This passion eventually led to the creation of the Zoology Zone. Work with Joe Justice After serving in the military and working in law enforcement, Andy returned to teaching. He’s currently preparing to teach high school science next year while running the Zoology Zone. The center is growing, thanks to a dedicated staff and a supportive community. Andy envisions further growth and development, driven by a mission to serve and involve the community. Recently, the Zoology Zone announced a Valley Con, a pop culture convention and fundraiser. They are also planning an alligator exhibit that will transform the front yard into a swamp-like Everglades exhibit. Over the next five years, they plan to invest over $4.5 million through various funding sources to enhance the center. Starting and running the Zoology Zone hasn’t been easy. As a nonprofit organization, it relies heavily on community support and donations. Andy shares the challenges of managing a growing organization with limited resources, often wearing multiple hats to keep things running. Despite these challenges, the center is now able to support its day-to-day operations, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the staff. The Zoology Zone is located inside Valley Park, right beside the wave pool. It’s an ideal location, surrounded by nature and equipped with facilities like a giant playground and an extensive trail system. This setting aligns perfectly with the center’s mission to inspire wildlife and environmental conservation through hands-on, immersive education. They utilize both their indoor and outdoor spaces to create an engaging learning environment. Andy believes that kids today are somewhat disconnected from nature, largely due to the prevalence of screens and technology. The center aims to bridge this gap by offering guided nature hikes and other activities that encourage kids and adults to appreciate and engage with nature. There are significant mental health benefits to spending time in nature, and the Zoology Zone strives to foster a renewed sense of connection to the environment. Hosting events like birthday parties at the center is particularly rewarding. Seeing kids touch and learn about animals they’ve never seen before is a memorable experience. Hands-on, immersive education is at the heart of what the Zoology Zone does. Andy uses his own learning style, which is visually driven, to create educational experiences that resonate with kids. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional classroom learning to interactive and practical applications. As we wrap up our conversation, Andy highlights the variety of activities available at the Zoology Zone. Visitors can interact with animals, engage in arts and crafts, play with a Lego wall and marble maze, and enjoy the park’s playground. The center promotes “accidental learning,” where kids have fu

In this conversation, Andy McKee discusses his early love of acoustic guitar, including the music of Preston Reed and Michael Hedges, the community he found at music festivals and his time as an early YouTube sensation, when his video “Drifting” received nearly 60 million views.

☕️Buy me a coffee: https://www.everyonelovesguitar.com/support 😳 🎶The 3 Biggest Mistakes Musicians, Composers & Songwriters Make When Trying to Get Your Music Licensed & Placed: https://MusicReboot.com On this Andy McKee Interview: His early years as a musician, his experiences playing with Prince, and his approach to songwriting and alternate tunings…. the emotional expression he finds in acoustic guitar music, his approach to playing guitar in altered tunings and the challenges and rewards it brings. He also talks about the inspiration behind his song 'For My Father' and the emotional connection it has with his audience. Andy shares his experiences touring with Eric Johnson and Dream Theater, as well as his involvement in the Michael Hedges documentary… balancing his music career and family life, and his struggle with social media. McKee also mentions his signature guitar models and his love for video game music… the importance of staying true to yourself as a musician, biggest change in his personality over the years, and more. Lovely, sincere guy, great convo! Originally from Topeka, Kansas… Andy’s an awesome finger style guitar player - he’s released 7 LPs and 2EPs, and he’s also played on records by Josh Groban, Lee Ritenour, and he hosts a lot of guitar workshops. He initially became well-known when a few of his videos blew up on YouTube back in the early 2000’s, including his song Drifting - which has over 60 Million views. And at one time, the top 3 videos on YT were all Andy McKee’s. This opened doors for Andy to play literally thousands of concerts all over the world, sharing the stage with artists like Prince, Eric Johnson & Dream Theater. Andy has a new finger style “supergroup” LP out featuring himself, Calum Graham and Trevor Gordon Hall. The band, and the LP are called Tripliciti

Today, Jon is thrilled to welcome the acclaimed acoustic guitar virtuoso, Andy McKee, whose mesmerizing performances have redefined the possibilities of the instrument. Renowned for his innovative fingerstyle technique and captivating compositions, Andy's music transcends genres and captivates audiences worldwide. With his groundbreaking approach to acoustic guitar playing, Andy has become a trailblazer in the world of contemporary fingerstyle guitar. Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary journey of Andy McKee, a true icon whose artistry continues to inspire and enthrall music lovers around the globe. Presented by www.jonsguitarlounge.com , prepare to be enchanted by Andy's breathtaking talent and musical brilliance. Support the show "Conversations with Noteworthy Guitarists from around the World"

Episode 80 - Andy McKee The Swan Song Project Podcast features a range of Songwriters to talk about songwriting and bereavement. Swan Song founder Ben Buddy Slack asks each guest to: A) Share one of their songs and talk a bit about how they wrote it B) Share a songwriting tip that could be useful to new and aspiring songwriters. C) Share a song that is meaningful to them in some way relating to bereavement. Andy's song choice is "When I was four" by Michael Hedges. Hear it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=3KrqM9o6ai52fKwK&v=WrKDU22F6Cs&feature=youtu.be https://andymckee.com/ https://www.facebook.com/andymckeemusic https://www.instagram.com/therealmckee https://tripliciti.com/home Facebook: TheSwanSongProject | Instagram: @Swansongproject Twitter: @swansongprouk | LinkedIn: The Swan Song Project Hope you enjoy it. www.swansongproject.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 580 Live from the Par Mar Stores Studio, The Reptile Guy, Andy McKee, plus Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper, Amanda Barren and your calls and texts. 580 Live is presented by Thornhill Auto Group. Listen live at www.wchsnetwork.com .

Andy McKee is among the world’s finest acoustic guitarists. His youthful energy and attention to song structure and melodic content elevate him above the rest. He entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits, and a signature two-handed technique. McKee’s crossover success has helped him to achieve millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. He has been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK and is also the figurehead of the unique Guitar Masters tours. McKee’s tour dates have taken him through Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, including tours with artists such as Prince, Dream Theater, Eric Johnson, and Tommy Emmanuel. Visit https://andymckee.com/ to know more about Andy. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 01:15 Meet Musician Andy McKee 05:45 Touring & Concerts 07:00 Andy’s Musical Career 08:50 Becoming Famous 10:20 A Day In The Life 10:50 Pulse EP 12:10 Guitar Lessons 14:10 Finger-style Guitar Playing 15:05 Playing By Ear 16:05 Stage & Performance Set-up 18:40 Adrenalin Rush 20:10 The Best Part 21:30 Childhood & Music 22:25 Music Composition 25:30 Rhythm, Melody & Harmony 27:15 Percussion 28:10 Minor Pentatonic Scale 29:40 Using Altered Tunings 33:50 Studio Recording Sessions 35:05 Creative Process 37:20 Musical Collaborations 38:00 Touring With Prince 40:00 The Trio Album 41:50 Great Songwriters 43:50 The Power Of Instrumental Music 44:50 Outro