Andy McKee, Self-Taught Master of the Fingerstyle Guitar
Katie Cordrey — February 2, 2009 — Art & Design
Andy McKee is a self-taught musician who started with an interest in electric guitar at age 13. He dropped out of high school at 16 and began playing around with the acoustic guitar. He has since developed a highly unique style and enjoyed success through Candyrat records and Youtube. He plays 100 - 200 live shows annually, a realization of his life’s biggest dream: to make a living playing music.
Kansas-born McKee cites Michael Hedges and Preston Reed as inspirations -- for good reason: Preston Reed was the first to challenge the traditional constraints of fingerstyle, but he never gained much of a popular following. It was Michael Hedges who was able to popularize what Reed started. Hedges is considered by some as the Michael Jordan of acoustic guitar. McKee has taken fingerstyle one step further with his unique and technically difficult guitar-slapping style.
There are more recent videos on YouTube, but the one above is an excellent example of his playing style as well as his gifts as a composer.
Kansas-born McKee cites Michael Hedges and Preston Reed as inspirations -- for good reason: Preston Reed was the first to challenge the traditional constraints of fingerstyle, but he never gained much of a popular following. It was Michael Hedges who was able to popularize what Reed started. Hedges is considered by some as the Michael Jordan of acoustic guitar. McKee has taken fingerstyle one step further with his unique and technically difficult guitar-slapping style.
There are more recent videos on YouTube, but the one above is an excellent example of his playing style as well as his gifts as a composer.
Trend Themes
1. Fingerstyle Guitar - The trend towards unique, self-taught techniques in fingerstyle guitar opens up opportunities for innovation in music education and multimedia music platforms.
2. Acoustic Guitar Virtuosos - The rise of self-taught, solo acoustic guitar musicians like Andy McKee highlights opportunities for niche music labels, innovative live music experiences, and technological innovations for guitar players and enthusiasts.
3. Online Music Platforms - McKee's success through Candyrat records and Youtube showcases the power of targeted, digitally integrated music platforms and social media marketing.
Industry Implications
1. Music Education - Innovations in music education that capitalize on unique, self-taught fingerstyle guitar techniques can revolutionize music instruction and create opportunities for new classes and courses.
2. Music Production and Distribution - The emergence of niche acoustic guitar virtuosos like Andy McKee highlights opportunities for specialty music labels, innovative live music experiences, and unique music distribution models.
3. Digital Media and Marketing - McKee's rise to success and the success of Candyrat records demonstrate opportunities for developing targeted digital music platforms and utilizing social media marketing for niche musicians to bypass traditional record labels and reach broader audiences.
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