Swift River Music

[CDs] [Performer] [Educator] [Producer]
Andy May, a pioneer in the genre of Americana music, is a critically acclaimed songwriter, singer, educator, producer and performer, a champion guitarist and an exceptional mandolinist. His deep-rooted music embraces old-time and contemporary country music, new acoustic music, bluegrass, folk, and blues, all presented with his trademark optimism touched with humor. His shows are always uplifting, rewarding and fun.

Andy's career began in the latter half of the '60s. Immersed in the vibrant music scene of New York City, Andy was an active part of the folk music revival of the time—but he was also drawn to and influenced by the newest American musical form: rock and roll. As a teenager, he played venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was a regular on live radio throughout the greater New York area. He also won the 1967 Grand Championship for guitar at the Union Grove Fiddlers' Convention in North Carolina at the age of 18.

In 1970, Andy moved to Massachusetts. He spent the next seventeen years crisscrossing the Northeast, playing his brand of music for concerts, clubs, colleges, festivals and schools as a soloist and band leader. Before moving to Nashville in 1996, Andy spent nine years in Colorado, writing, performing, teaching and producing. Andy has performed at Winfield (the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS) every year since 1989, and in 2002 added MerleFest to his performance schedule. In 2004, Andy also led workshops during Bluegrass Week and Family Week at The Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia.

Andy has four CD releases available, and his songs have been heard around the world on TV series and radio. In addition to making music, in the late ‘80’s Andy developed the Acoustic Kids workshop for the Walnut Valley Festival, an educational program that he continues to direct.

Andy and his wife, Lauren, are currently writing songs and running Swift River Music, an independent record label and production company specializing in Americana and the roots-based musical styles that Andy knows so well. Andy is still performing shows around the country, and now, with more than thirty-five years' experience under his belt, Andy May is making his best music ever.

"[Andy May] bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary American music with purity and exuberance.” —David Sokol, Editor, Disney Magazine

[Bio] [Performer] [Educator] [Producer]

CDs from Swift River Music
Café Americana
Blackberry Jam
Dance of Life
MaySongs