Andrew McKnight

We are thrilled to share our first preview from the long-awaited Calm Before the Storm album, recorded in 1989 by the three founding members of Nor'easter. This will be a listening party live from the studio, hosted by guitarist Andrew McKnight and producer/engineer Dustin Delage. It's an opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at a fascinating story and "forensic engineering" project, as well as be the first to hear a song from the album. October 3rd will mark 19 years since drummer Matthew Bouley…

We are excited to announce that one of the songs Andrew helped write with veterans has been selected for the Music Therapy of the Rockies first compilation CD. "New Mission Now" is a collaboration with Alex, who worked in Mortuary Affairs during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Founded and run by legendary songwriter and folk artist Mack Bailey, MTR's program addresses the needs of veterans and other at-risk populations through evidenced-based research and techniques - particularly using songwriting as a tool…

For the past several months, Andrew has served on a committee with the Virginia Commission for the Arts to develop and present an online festival of the Commonwealth's rich performing arts talent. Virginia is home to so much great music - the mountain music and the Crooked Road of the southwest, the high culture of the Capital area, blues and jazz, and the cosmopolitan cultural brew of northern Virginia. The VCA has been working tirelessly on a number of fronts to help support arts venues and performing…

As the pandemic has surged again in late summer and autumn, most of Andrew's in person dates have been postponed or cancelled outright. While we are hopeful that we'll be back on the road at some point, we've enjoyed connecting with people around the world via livestreaming. Now that the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere are turning towards cold weather and long nights, we're planning some entertainment to help get you through should you find yourself with relatively few live music options.

We're happy to…

Part of a very busy in-person July has been bringing Justin Haefner, one of my longtime guitar students, into the studio to record one of his songs for a very special project in his horse training business. In addition to being a fine young guitarist and songwriter, he is a gifted horse trainer. 

Justin is participating in a rather amazing equine rescue project, the Appalachian Trainer Face Off. These horses are all untrained and most are feral by all practical measures. The trainers get 100 days to get…

A bit of news to share this Saturday evening. We're thrilled to be working with Mike Pugh and Goose Creek Music and Entertainment editing some video from the last big concert; the Treasures in My Chest release concert at our hometown Franklin Park Arts Center on March 6th, 2020. We've heard from a lot of people for whom that was the last time they'd been out for a concert or public event before everything shut down. 

So needless to say, it's kind of emotional looking back at that concert, and thinking about…

Real shows in the real world in real life. Three in person shows on the calendar, beginning July 7th in nearby Upperville VA, a shared bill with my dear pal Tony Denikos. That means I get to play some electric guitar on his songs as well as playing some of mine. 

If you'd like to host a show, in person or as a Zoom event with farflung family and friends complete with picture show along with a whole bunch of songs and stories done live, let's do it. My first road trip at this point is Sept 25 & 26 to Capon…

Thanks to what could be best described a series of miracles, or narrowly-averted disasters, Andrew's first original recording with his hard rock ensemble Nor'easter is in our hands and in our computers. Recorded in 1989 to 8-track reel tape, Calm Before the Storm is a full album project that was never finished in production. As summer kicks off Andrew and engineer Dustin Delage are painstakingly bringing this album to life, 32 years later. For much more, visit the Nor'easter page here.

You don't have to be one of the 32 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry to enjoy a treat this St. Patrick's Day. From now through midnight Friday 3/19, you can get the companion set of Treasures in My Chest album and book from right here for a total of just $20 via our Venmo (please add your mailing address when you do it!). You can order as many copies as you like, with different recipients even if you'd like to buy gifts.

If you prefer, use your credit card securely through our Square here for…

March 12, 2021

While we will be processing and unpacking the effects of "the lost year" for a long time to come, the time has also come to plan forward in some fashion. It is likely Andrew will do some outdoor solo performances around the mid-Atlantic this summer, but we're cautiously looking at autumn for a limited return to the road - most likely to the northeast, but perhaps also across the Rust Belt. Whatever we wish to do for indoor, listening room performances like we did in the past, their viability…

We are thrilled, grateful and relieved to again be a part of the Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Roster, which means that eligible presenters anywhere in the Commonwealth can get up to 50% of Andrew's performance and workshop fees reimbursed. What is new is that 1) virtual performances are now eligible for funding as long as they include an interactive component, and 2) the 30-mile exclusion zone is waived, meaning that local Loudoun, Clarke and Fairfax County presenters can take advantage as well…

It's our best sale of the year, and an opportunity for you to directly support my work AND get unique gifts - signed and shipped by me the next mailing day after your order. Save 30% - full album downloads just $5.60, discs for $8.39, and live concert downloads for just $7. Treasures in My Chest paperback book and album for just $17.50. Or download the entire discography - 6 studio albums, 2 full solo concerts plus the One Virginia Night album recorded live with Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders - 9…

We don't need Black Friday or Small Business Saturday to help you deliver some great and unique musical gifts to your family. Sure there's Treasures in My Chest for the family history buff, or CDs and downloads for the music enthusiast, but how about a custom one-of-a-kind like a special song video dedication, a video guitar or songwriting lesson or three, a set of "Good things matter" thank you notes, or something else?

Have an idea? Get in touch and let's plan the perfect gift in time to be waiting under…

I've been video webcasting (livestreaming) a Winter Holiday evening from home for over a decade now - but I had no idea last Christmas that a global plague in 2020 would make livestreaming my primary live performance venue. Nonetheless, we'll keep the tradition now more than ever - to bring cheer to the season, joy to your heart and gifts to your hearth with the benefit of all the broadcasting tech and techniques we've learned this year. It's a full concert taking a few requests as well as bringing a few…

Please join me Sunday November 29th at 7pm EST for this short informal interfaith gathering and musical meditation of remembrance and gratitude; a non-religious "time out" to rest your weary spirit with words and music. In addition to a few musical pieces, I've brought together some poetry and prose that brings me comfort and inspiration in these long nights between All Soul's Day and the New Year.

In the northern hemisphere, these shortening days from the falling of the leaves to the glint of sun on snow…

Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend is often a lovely time for a concert. Guests visiting from out of town, everyone ready to get out of the house and have an entertaining evening, and....

Well, we aren't doing much of the holiday traditions this year, but that means that we can be creative about how we stay connected even in our physical isolation. House concerts are among the best community art experiences one can have, where you can meet new friends while breaking bread and perhaps enjoying a libation while…

To help commemorate National Family History Day June 14th, Andrew has a busy weekend of activities planned.

• Saturday June 13th at 11am, he'll offer a free one-hour workshop "The Gifts in Our Genes" on his YouTube channel.

• Sunday June 14th at 8pm EDT, join him for a full-length concert including a wealth of songs and stories from Treasures in My Chest. Get your tickets now at the Tour page - you won't want to miss an entertaining evening in your own living room!

On National DNA Day, Andrew kicked off a new series of Treasures "Livestreaminars" - part DIY family history, woven together with music and stories from Treasures in My Chest. The series is free through his YouTube channel, and each one offers a tip on family research and using DNA evidence. While each episode is loosely connected to the book, those starting into family research will certainly learn something useful from each video.

NEXT UP: June 6th, 2020 at 11am EDT, "Our Ancestors Who Gave All, Part II."…

It's been exciting here to see Treasures in My Chest on folk and acoustic radio playlists from around the world these past couple of months! It charted at #7 for February on the Folk Radio charts maintained by the Folk Alliance International, and #11 for the month of March. We're grateful to the DJs and programmers who've been kind enough to share it with their audiences. The most-played songs from the album have been "Aretas Culver," "My Little Town," "When My Time Comes," and the title cut.

Many thanks to…

In early April, Andrew had a chat with Michelle Murillo at Washington DC news/traffic/weather radio giant WTOP about the many challenges for performing artists in the time of pandemic - read it here.

He also sat with Jan Mercker of Loudoun Now for an in-depth discussion about Treasures in My Chest in advance of the Album and Book release concert here in Virginia. It includes video - read and listen here.