Sat 2/21 - Andrew McKnight and Beyond Borders (Sterling & Virtual)
"As a singer and songwriter, McKnight is a marvel, capturing the essence - the very heart and soul of the past and present in his insightful observations about places and the people who live there. An environmental engineer and avid historian of rural life, he brings a deep truth to his words and music that resonates with an irresistible charm as he shares his thoughts for us to ponder with him. His voice itself is one that you can literally listen to for hours, savoring its mellow sound like a fine mountain wine." - The Times-Standard, Arcata CA
FocusMusic presents Andrew McKnight and Beyond Borders at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling | 22135 Davis Dr Suite 104, Sterling, VA 20164 | 7pm
"harmony so tight you'd swear they were all related. Andrew's songs really shine, as does his amazing guitar work, from delicate fingerpicking on an acoustic, to hot swing on an electric. Arrangements go from bluegrass to country rock to jazz/blues.... 'Surveillance,' a little poke at the Patriot Act, featuring Andrew's right-on Jimmie Vaughan-style playing....Four very talented people. Very highly recommended." - Minor 7th
Featuring founding Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson, Les' wife Stephanie Thompson, and Lisa Taylor, Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders blends his charming tenor voice and acoustic and electric guitars in a frequently shifting mix of banjo, mandolin, upright bass, drums, and percussion. The band has delighted concert and festival audiences since their collective debut at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington (March 2008) as well as on their acclaimed CD/DVD set One Virginia Night.
Valuing the artistry of taut arrangements over flashy instrumental jams, they have earned acclaim for their exquisite 3- and 4-part vocal harmonies as well as the unusual and constantly changing combinations of instruments. Their eclectic arrangements fuse oldtime influences, roots rock sounds, and an assimilation of many stylistic elements that truly stretch "beyond Appalachian, beyond blues, beyond folk". Over the last decade they've written a collection of songs together prominently featuring each of the members.
The warmth and chemistry between these seasoned musicians has delighted music fans and presenters alike at some of the highest-quality venues around the mid-Atlantic region, including the Lincoln Theater, Herndon Festival, the Barter Theater, Shepherdstown Opera House, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and the Mountain Aid concert at Shakori Hills NC.
Since 2010 they have been part of the Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Artists Program, alongside top talents like Robin & Linda Williams, the Virginia Symphony, and luthier/master guitarist Wayne Henderson. They were also selected for prestigious juried showcases at the Folk Alliance International conference, and the Southeast and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conferences. Their song “By A Craftsman's Hand” was the soundtrack for the mini-documentary Sound of Home.
More about Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders at andrewmcknight.net
Advance tickets $25 / day-of and door $30 (member / congregation as-applicable $25 at the door). FocusMusic webcast tickets (when available) are $15
Depending on payment method, you will receive 2-3 emails. Registration details will be EMAILED along with a receipt (and sometimes a third email from your payment service). You will receive an email with the subject line "Your ticket for..." For in-person events, there's no need to do anything further. Your name will be at the front desk! For virtual events there will be a link to click in this email, so please save it! If you do not receive that email - please check your spam folder. If you still cannot find details contacting tickets@focusmusic.org.
All sales are final. In the event of a cancellation, event tickets will be refunded or purchasers may offer the ticket price as a donation to the artist. In the event of a rescheduled event tickets may be refunded or transferred to the new event date. Please note there are NO refunds for virtual performances made inaccessible by audience / user-error. If you find that you cannot attend an event or webcast, please contact us in advance of the event to transfer your ticket to another upcoming FocusMusic event.
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Current COVID policy
Please note that FocusMusic's COVID policy may be updated without notice as conditions require, and may be further modified by the individual venues.
1/13/22
We request that all attendees be vaccinated and be prepared to show vaccination status for admission (or a negative COVID test dated within the past 72 hours). Additionally, we require that the audience and staff wear masks at all times inside the building unless actively eating or drinking. We thank you for complying with what we’ve determined to be best for our community.