Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders EPK

Joining forces with founding Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson, Les’s wife and fellow songwriter Stephanie Thompson, and WAMMIE-winning singer/songwriter Lisa Taylor, Andrew's quartet shines in theaters and on festival stages with their eclectic arrangements of Andrew's songs that fuse oldtime influences, roots rock sounds, and rich vocal harmonies. Their foundation is stellar songcraft, expert musicianship and arranging, and an assimilation of many stylistic elements; "beyond Appalachian, beyond blues, beyond folk".

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Beyond Borders describes this collective creative force in many ways - stylistically, artistically and in their approach to performing. Their distinctive and constantly shifting sound blends traditional acoustic instruments like banjo and upright bass with the energy of drums and electric guitars, layered with two male and two female voices in intricate harmony. Add big-screen projection of Andrew’s photography and videography into the show, and audiences can clearly expect a different kind of concert experience.

Since making their collective debut for a standing-room only crowd at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in March 2008, the chemistry between these seasoned musicians has clearly caught the attention of music fans and presenters alike. They have been honored by the Virginia Arts Commission with inclusion in the Touring Artists Directory, alongside top talents like Robin & Linda Williams, the Virginia Symphony, and luthier/master guitarist Wayne Henderson. They were selected for prestigious juried showcases at the 2010 Folk Alliance International conference in Mamphis, and as one of 14 Formal Showcase Artists at the 2009 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference.

Putting their talents to use to help "neighbors in need", Andrew and Les wrote “Made by Hand” for the 2009 CD Still Moving Mountains to help raise awareness of mountaintop mining in Appalachia; the CD earned favorable coverage from national outlets like CNN and CMT. The band also performed on the main stage at the Mountain Aid concert at Shakori Hills Festival Farm (Chapel Hill NC) along with Kathy Mattea and Donna the Buffalo.

Qualifying Virginia presenters can apply for fee reimbursement of up to 50% through the 2010-11 Virginia Commission for the Arts Touring Artist program.

Select Recent Performances

• John F. Kennedy Center, Washington DC
• Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, Purcellville VA
• Mountain Aid Concert at Shakori Hills, Pittsboro NC
• Black Rock Center for the Arts, Germantown MD
• River City Festival, Rowlesburg WV
• Summer Arts Festival, Blacksburg VA
• Valley EarthFest, Berryville VA
• Hometown Holidays, Rockville MD
• Mountville Folk Festival, Middleburg VA
• Butterfly Concert Series at Fort Collier, Winchester VA
• Beans in the Belfry, Brunswick MD