Artist description John McKone is a Minnesota based virtuoso guitarist who combines technical wizardry with compositional depth and savvy to create a unique brew that is both pleasing to the ear and challenging to intellect. (you may also find that it makes your toes tap too!)

Music Style Acoustic

Similar Artists Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Pete Townshend, Billy McLaughlin

Artist History It all started in a 300 - watt rock band in the farm country of Northeast Iowa. That's where John McKone first developed his interest in the guitar and his life-long passion for making music. After kicking around in college with a series of majors that ranged from biomedical engineering to philosophy, John (finally) settled on the study of music and went on to get his Masters degree in composition and theory from the University of Minnesota. Along with his formal education, John played the role of musical journeyman - performing in bars and concerts halls on guitar, trombone, keyboards, and even drums on one memorable (but probably best forgotten) occasion. Since then, John has applied his compositional and arranging skills to projects ranging from straight-ahead pop to jazz big band , as well as scores for movies and computer games . He has also produced several well - received classical compositions - although some might say that a suite for bricked piano, brass and children's plastic pool with watering can wouldn't be classified as "serious" classical music. In recent years, John has returned to his first love: the guitar. He has also stepped out of the shadows of the Minnesota music scene to release his award-winning debut solo acoustic guitar CD, "Here It Is." Continuing his trademark of thoroughly exploring every angle of a new project, John recorded "Here It Is" on a guitar that he built himself. A pre-release version of "Here It Is" was named a finalist of the 2000 Musicians Atlas Music awards. The CD has also just been named 2001 Solo Instrumental Album of the year and the title track received 2nd place in the Solo Instrumental Song of the Year categories in the Just Plain Folks Music awards - the largest music awards program in the world, with over 2,400 album entries and more than 12,000 song entries. "Here It Is" has been getting airplay throughout the US and Europe, including a coveted spot on the Minnesota Public Radio Morning Show - one of the most listened to programs of acoustic music in the country. In early 2002, John will start work on his second CD. Given his diverse background and many talents, it's hard to predict what he'll come up with. One thing's for sure though: it will be worth listening to. Contact: john@johnmckone.com www.johnmckone.com (612) 280-8375

Instruments Solo Acoustic Guitar

Albums Here It Is

Press Reviews John McKone is a Renaissance Man. Before McKone, I couldn't name one luthier who was also an accomplished performer (Editor's note: please don't write in with all those you can name!). McKone built the guitar on which the instrumental solos from "Here It Is" are played, based on the design of a Martin HD-28. It's a little surprising that the luthier/artist combination isn't more common since one would imagine that lovingly constructing an instrument and nurturing a song along would both require the skills that McKone sonically brandishes on this disc: creative inspiration, patience, sensitivity, attention to detail and a willingness to go out on a limb for no guaranteed returns. He has to be proud of "Here It Is" if only for the personal returns, but it's likely that public validation of his efforts will soon follow. It's already happening. Billy McLaughlin, who speaks a similar slapstyle to McKone has said of his playing: "John McKone plays guitar like crazy... slapping, tapping, melodies everywhere... all with a good spirited vibe". "It'll Be Alright" demonstrates McKone's ability to paste together pretty melodies. "Snow Below Zero" and "Swinging on King's Bridge" are Kottke-esque rags. "Here It Is" is a slapstyle in the spirit of Michael Hedges. "Cuttin' a Chord" shows he can smoke on fingerstyle blues. Look for this Renaissance Man's music to ripen into a world-class grade. -Alan Fark Minor7th Magazine www.minor7th.com

Additional Info Winner of the 2001 Just Plain Folks Music Award: Solo Instrumental Album of the Year

Location Minneapolis, Minnesota - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).