John McKay Band @ Bootstrap Brewing in Longmont, CO

John McKay has been playing guitar for 40 yrs and has been composing his own material for nearly as long.

His first instrument was piano, which he started playing at the age of 10. He quickly realized by the age of 11 that the drums were his real interest. By the age of 15,  John was learning guitar and bass. From then on the guitar became his main focus. Throughout the years he played in various bands. In 1996 John earned a B.A. in Classical guitar performance from the University of Colorado Boulder. His first band playing his original music is the Wiley Cotton Band which was named after his father- Wiley Cotton McKay. This band got together in Feb. 2014 for a show at the Dickens Opera House in Longmont which was quite a blast!
Guitarist/singer/songwriter John McKay blends the deeply personal insights of a man immersed in nature, places of the past  along with political observations of a protest singer, and the broad musical traditionalism of a folk rock musician with the passion and commitment tot a rock and roller. A musicians musician, McKay has an element of distraction to his performance as it is difficult to ignore the guitar playing which is in competition with vivid mind-expanding lyrics.
The John McKay Band is rich with musical talent which runs the musical gamete from jam band to folk rock to world musics. JMB is a combination of the familiar things that exemplify retro rock and roll and folk music that we all are presently yearning for from the past with modern touch of contemporary times and life today.

In 1998 McKay recorded his debut CD, entitled Wiley Cotton, which is dedicated to his father. The CD is an acoustic-electric blend of eleven of his original songs. IT showcases a range of bluesy folk and soulful rhythm n’ Blues. Some of the musicians that appear on the CD include Johns brother Bill McKay on piano and organ, Derek Trucks, members of Runaway Truck Ramp, Dave Watts from the Motet, Edwin Hurwitz from Shakedown Street and Mark Vann from Leftover Salmon.

John put out a second CD in 2001. This self titled CD features his solo style of playing. It showcases his singing and songwriting with some finger style tunes thrown in the mix. As a solo performer McKay has opened for such national acts as Hot Tuna, Leftover Salmon, Zachery Richard, Merl Saunders and the Rainforest Band.

With the help of Chris Lakinac on drums and co-production, McKays most rocking effort was completed in 2008. ‘Beetles and Bacteria’ has a powerful mix of tracks. The songs range from heavy grooves such as ’98 Years’ and ‘Lazy from Booze’ to the more funky grooves of ‘Marleys Song’ to the more upbeat songs such as ‘Marleys Song’ or ‘Paper Walls’.

Throughout all the years of performing, John continues to play with his brother Bill. This unique duo of guitar and keys delivers a smooth vocal harmony above rich and tight musical arrangements. A musical portrait of Americana/Blues and Folk/Rock that has been developed over a 30 year span is hard to match.