Artist description Colin James McCaffrey is a Country Singer and Songwriter who was born in Brattleboro, Vermont and raised on a small family farm in the Connecticut river valley. His clear, unique voice has been described as a combination of James Taylor, Randy Travis, Ro nnie Milsap, and Don Williams. Colin performs nationwide both as a singer/songwriter and as a freelance musician. Known not only for his voice, he plays guitar, violin, stringbass, mandolin, and drums. Colin lives beside the Winooski River on the Cate Farm in East Montpelier, VT where he writes, records, and produces his own music. He publishes his songs through Al Jolson Enterprises in Nashville, Hermit's Gold Publishing in Jamaica Plain MA, and Epact Music in Monkton, VT.0

Music Style Country/Folk/Bluegrass

Musical Influences George Jones, Alison Krauss, Hank Williams I, Woody Guthrie, Shawn Colvin, Buddy and Julie Miller

Similar Artists James Taylor, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Don Williams

Artist History Colin James McCaffrey was born the second child in a creative and artistic family of four children. He started performing at 7 years old: singing, playing piano, guitar and violin. Colin performed with his family throughout New Englan playing Classic al, Popular, Rock, Irish and American folk music in musical theater productions, churches, youth orchestras, as well as jazz, bluegrass/folk, and rock bands. He graduated from Kimball Union Academy in 1986 and went on to complete a BA in music composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston. After graduating with honors in 1990, Colin moved back to central Vermont and continued performing, writing, playing, and teaching.

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Fiddle, Mandolin

Albums What We've Got

Press Reviews Local singer-songwriter finds home in Vermont country - March 2, 2001 By Jim Lowe Times Argus Arts Editor. Colin James McCaffrey is one of central Vermont's finer contemporary folk musicians, and his new album, "What We've Got," goes a long way in explain ing w hy. Ten original songs offer infectious music and simple heartfelt lyrics, more reassuring than innovative. But, everything, like the musician, provides a real pleasure. The style of music - a blend of country, bluegrass and New England folk - might well be called Vermont country. It lacks the extremes of country-western, but has the flair and diversity of bluegrass, all with a simple Vermont honesty. To this, McCaffrey lends his attractive, direct and simple baritone voice which he uses with an eas y expressiveness. Perhaps the most unusual and original song is "Somebody In There," where he asks a woman to re-veal herself and connect with him. The music is simple and straightforward. Yet, it is in a minor key, unusual for this genre, making it poign ant in an unusual way. The song that sums up the whole album, perhaps McCaffrey as well, is the final "What We've Got," a tribute to family love. Here, his poignance is in his simplicity, both in lyrics and music. The result, rather than cloying self-righteou sness, is one of genuine warmth. What is immediately noticeable on this album is the fine instrumental work on a variety of instru-ments. The mandolin by Casey Driessen, along with other instruments, is particularly effective in "When You Went Away"; "The Trouble With You" benefits from fine electric guitar by Bill Hullett; and the entire album is enhanced by some particularly sensitive fiddle by Driessen and back-up vocals by Patty Mitchell. Steve Hinson is also featured on dobro and steel guitar, w ith Tommy Wells on drums and Michael Joyce on bass. The song that could have been the best, but underscores a basic problem throughout, is "Train to the Kingdom." What begins as a beautiful description, in lyrics and music, of the foliage train, turns mun dane with a plodding rhythm section. Throughout much of the album, there is an inflexibility in the rhythm and bass - it becomes a heavy anchor rather than contributing to the flow. All in all, this is a simple straightforward album that gives a lot of pleasure - reflecting the live per-formances of its creator. "What We've Got" was recorded at the famed Masterlink Studio Nashville Dec. 18-23, 2000. It was produced by Bil VornDick and Bronson Herrmuth, engineered by VornDick.

Location East Montpelier, VT - USA

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