Andy McKee’s “Drifting” Hits 50 Million

ANDY MCKEE’S CLASSIC “DRIFTING” CROSSES 50 MILLION VIEWS ON YOUTUBE

** Acoustic Master Hits Milestone, Inches Toward 200 Million Cumulative Views **

** Supporting Mythmaker – His First Release in Four Years – with U.S. Tour Kicking Off September 16th **

Acclaimed guitar virtuoso Andy McKee celebrates a major milestone in his young career as the video for his now-classic song “Drifting” has crossed an amazing mark of 50 million views on YouTube.

“Since ‘Drifting’ first went viral 7 years ago, it’s lead me to a full time career as a touring musician and I’ve had the chance to perform with Prince, Dream Theater, and every musician I’ve ever wanted to play with,” said Andy. “’Drifting’ and the 50 million views it has had on YouTube has played a major roll in my life and what it is today. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has ever checked it out and told their friends about it. Here’s to the next 50 million!”

“Drifting” (which was written by Andy at age 18) has achieved rarified status, often performed by aspiring guitar players as a test for entry into some of the most prestigious music schools and on TV talent shows around the world, and it has become so ubiquitous in guitar culture that the entire style of playing is often referred to as “’Drifting’-style guitar.”

Andy is now closing in on an astonishing 200 million cumulative YouTube views, made even more impressive considering that only two of his videos are covers of mainstream hits.

The ever busy musician is set to embark on another extensive U.S. trek, with a 39-date U.S. tour kicking off September 16th in Omaha, NE to support the recently-released Mythmaker, his first new music in four years.

 

ANDY MCKEE FALL 2014 TOUR DATES:

9/16/2014 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room

9/17/2014 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck

9/18/2014 – St. Louis, MO – The Old Rock House

9/19/2014 – Davenport, IA – Redstone Room

9/21/2014 – Evanston, IL – Space

9/22/2014 – Ames, IA – DG’s Taphouse

9/23/2014 – Springfield, MO – The Gillioz Theatre

9/24/2014 – Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Room

9/25/2014 – Tulsa, OK – Vanguard Music Hall

9/26/2014 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theatre

9/27/2014 – Austin, TX – The Cactus Cafe

9/28/2014 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish

10/14/2014 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne

10/15/2014 – Boston, MA – Regatta Bar

10/16/2014 – New York, NY – B.B. King’s

10/17/2014 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live

10/18/2014 – Collinsville, CT – Bridge Street Live

10/19/2014 – Washington DC – Birchmere

10/21/2014 – Charlotte, NC – McGlohon Theater

10/22/2014 – Atlanta, GA – Eddie’s Attic

10/23/2014 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

10/24/2014 – Largo, FL – Largo Cultural Center

10/25/2014 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center For Perf. Arts

10/26/2014 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Theater

11/5/2014 – Honolulu, HI – Republix

11/6/2014 – Maui, HI – Iao Theater

11/7/2014 – Hawaii TBD

11/8/2014 – Hawaii TBD

12/2/2014 – San Diego, CA – Belly Up

12/3/2014 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues

12/4/2014 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues

12/5/2014 – Livermore, CA – Livermore PAC

12/6/2014 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s

12/7/2014 – Santa Cruz, CA – TBD

12/9/2014 – Grant’s Pass, OR – Rogue Theater

12/10/2014 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater

12/11/2014 – Seattle, WA – Benaroya Symphony Hall

12/12/2014 – Vancouver, BC – TBD

12/13/2014 – Canada TBD

Mythmaker was released on April 8th and is Andy’s first release since 2010’s acclaimed album Joyland. The four-song EP features him playing electric guitar and piano for the first time on record. The EP’s beautiful title track and “The Reason” showcase his renowned, signature acoustic playing, and he then throws the listener for a loop with the epic multi-instrumental “Lumine” and the lush solo piano piece “June” which is dedicated to Andy’s mother and grandmother. Mythmaker is the sound of a master musician expanding his artistic horizons and fearlessly delivering the unexpected.

Mythmaker also happens to be the name of Andy’s newly created record label which he’ll use to release music much more frequently than in the past, as well as music from artists he adores. “I envision the label to be a home for creative and highly unique musical artists,” he says. He also plans to release his first live concert Blu-ray/DVD through the imprint.

Andy McKee is among the world’s finest acoustic guitarists, and his crossover success with almost 200 million cumulative YouTube views underscores his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. To fans of virtuoso musicianship it is Andy’s attention to song structure and melodic content that elevates him above the rest. To fans of popular music Andy entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique. He’s 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 which have traveled the world over the past three years.

With his influence continuing to grow, Andy recently was personally asked by living-legend Prince – yes PRINCE, who found him on YouTube! – to join his band for a series of shows in Australia. He is now challenging himself even further with more surprise collaborations, diverse music releases, development of new instrument products (including Ernie Ball’s Aluminum Bronze strings) and ceaseless international touring including new markets such as India, Argentina, Russia, the Middle East and Greece. Andy has played on every continent except Antarctica and still lives in his hometown of Topeka, KS with his wife and two children.