CandyRat Records presents Andy McKee with Antoine Dufour and Jeff Schmidt

Music Starts:05/10/2007 - 8:00pm

One of today's finest new fingerstyle guitarists, Andy 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.

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 Competiton.

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.

Antoine Dufour is emerging as one of Canadas young stars of acoustic, fingerstyle guitar. With a recent CD of original material that was released to critical acclaim, along with appearances and awards at major festivals, Antoine is building a national reputation for innovation and creativity. He will be touring across Canada in 2006 as a member of the International Guitar Night, an all-star evening of the best original guitarists/composers in North America.

Solo bassist Jeff Schmidt placed 1st in the 2005 Bass Extremes International Solo Bass Competition - Judges were Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Will Lee, Anthony Jackson, Jonathan Herrera (Bass Player Magazine) and drummer to the stars Gregg Bissonette.