Artist description a pleasant balance between the tunefulness of Freedy Johnston and the open sound of Matthew Sweet -All Music Guide (Four Stars).

Music Style Roots Rock

Musical Influences The Band, Richard Buckner, Steve Earle, Jeff Buckley

Similar Artists Jayhawks, Wallflowers, Ryan Adams, REM, Son Volt, Cracker, Wilco, Neil Young, Freedy Johnston, Matthew Sweet

Artist History Former guitarist for alt.country band Sixty Acres (Banjos and Sunshine, Good Ethel). Fronted Chicago-based americana band The McKays (Down on the Street. Fronted New York power trio Kruel Karma (Twentieth Century Blues)way back when. Has played:Iota(Arlington, VA)Fletchers(Baltimore)Schubas,Fitgeralds,Cabaret Metro,Double Door(Chicago)The Bitter End(New York)The Living Room(Providence)...

Group Members Mark McKay, Ken Schopf, Dimitri Fane, & assorted other bad souls

Instruments Guitars, drums, bass

Albums "Live from the Memory Hotel" (Dren 2003), "Ready for the Show" (promotional cd), "Nothing Personal" (Dren 2001), "Down on the Street" (McKay Music 1993). contributed tracks on: "For Anyone That's Listening: a Tribute to Uncle Tupelo" (Flat Earth, 2003), "Ain't No Grave: a Compilation of Traditional Music" (Dren 2003), "Chooglin: a Tribute to John Fogerty" (Dren 2002) , "Papa Nez: a Salute to Michael Nesmith" (Dren 2001)

Press Reviews "Mark McKay sounds vocally reminiscent of Jakob Dylan with a tinge of Chris Isaak, powered by a Blues Traveler brand and playing backwoods-y folk-rock. Nothing Personal is primarily guitar-based singer/songwriter fare free of crass production hooks. The acoustic guitar sounds are fresh and uncluttered, aided by some electric grit for muscle...Nothing Personal is an unpretentious and sturdy outing for McKay. After a listen you can see why he has kept company with the likes of Leon Russesll and the late, great Rick Danko." - C. Brian Jasper, Goldmine 10/19/01 "Dark acoustic rock can be incredibly engaging and sad when done right, and at times Mark McKay manages to pull it off. On Nothing Personal, he strikes a pleasant balance between the tunefulness of Freedy Johnson and the open sound of Matthew Sweet. His endearing, pleasant voice is memorable, and he manages to write some fairly memorable songs. Rockers like 'Ninety Miles' sound like classic Giant Sand with the honky tonk guitars and McKay's straining vocals. Yet he can turn it around and play beautiful ballads like 'Morning in Her Eyes,' a sweet tribute to the girl he loves. This is a genre that has so much potential for bad that it is refreshing to hear an artist who understands how to craft memorable, interesting songs. Fans of the singer/songwriter brand of alternative will probably enjoy this album very much; this is a very likable album. -Bradley Torreano, AMG Rating Four Stars (All Music Guide). "Mark McKay's Nothing Personal is unusual only for its consistent quality. Aside from the occasional acoustic ballad or Western honkytonk number, the songs are roots-rock with a surreal twist, not unlike '80's-era R.E.M. McKay crafts songs about people and places, with lyrics that hold up to scrutiny: 'It's warm now, but the dew's still hanging on, just like we all must do.' Nothing Personal marks McKay as a talent to watch" - Scott Hall, The Indiana Daily Journal 9/06/01 "Traditional alt.country. I guess that makes sense. Mark McKay has a solid foundation in country rock, and he's not afraid to take his music either way. Most often, however, he blends styles seamlessly, creating music with hints of storms on the horizon. Raging torrents arrive infrequently, kinda like everyday life. McKay's easygoing vocal style holds these evocative songs together and tempers some of the darker elements of the music. Not a restraint, of course, but just some balance. The sorta thing a talented songwriter likes to find in his work. Producer Ducky Carlisle gave the album a full, but relatively clean sound. Warm tones predominate, which tends to emphasize the darkness underneath. Solid songwriting and a professional album. Not generic or dull in any way, though. McKay constantly challenges and surprises, and that makes this album a joy to hear" - Aiding & Abetting #222 "All the great elements of Buffalo Springfield era Neil Young" - Jeff Hall, Miles of Music "Mark McKay, a rootsy, folk rocking singer/songwriter/guitarist, manages to bypass all the worn-out cliches of the Americana music movement. His material recalls Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Petty, and REM mixed with sixties vintage Tim Buckley psych/folk. McKay's chordal structures and melodies are adventurous and imaginative. With a very good backing band and musicality to spare, Mark McKay shows great promise." -Bob Ciano, The River Reporter Online "The former Sixty Acres lead guitarist heads off for the more spacious pastures of a solo career. Mark McKay harvests a hearty crop of melodic Americana on his debut disc, from the driving twang rock of 'Ninety Miles' to the quiet folk simplicity of 'Be Steady'. McKay, whose vocals suggest a cross between Neil Young and Michael Stipe, reveals himself to be a very talented frontman on the quite personal Nothing Personal." - Miles of Music

Additional Info albums also available at www.amazon.com

Location Washington, DC - USA

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