Andy McKee with Jonah Smith and special guest Justin Roth

Guitar Magic at The Cedar! Andy McKee has risen to be one of the world’s finest acoustic fingerstyle guitar soloists. After receiving over 40 million views collectively for his Youtube videos which were posted by his 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. Andy has moved well-beyond just being a youtube phenom, and now, Andy performs to sold out shows 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 cites 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.

In my humble opinion, Andy is the most innovative and exciting fingerstyle guitarist to emerge in years. Still in his 20's, Andy has developed a mastery of the 6-string guitar and the harp guitar that leaves me speechless. He is the most textural player of the instrument since Michael Hedges, and he creates sonic architecture worthy of the great modern composers for any instrument. (Don Ross)

Opening tonight will be local guitarist and singer-songwriter Justin Roth. A dynamic live performer, Justin has won fans over with his intricate solo guitar instrumentals, heartfelt songs and spontaneous delivery, often composing songs during his shows with the audience's help.  He has twice been a New Folk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival and has won the Indie Acoustic Project's award for Best Song of 2005 for his song "Shine," the title cut to his most recent release.  When not touring the country, performing at clubs, theaters and festivals, Justin lives in Minneapolis, where he is currently at work on a new album.

JUST ADDED: The music of New York-based singer-songwriter-pianist Jonah Smith ranges from vintage, pedal steel-laced Americana to classic, Rhodes-drenched, blue-eyed soul. He'll perform second tonight, as a duo.

Tickets are on sale now from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.