SoundClick artist: Bruce McKinney - Just me and my guitar

Sift one cup folk, one cup R&B, one cup blues, one tablespoon jazz. Mix in spirit of Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, and Greg Brown. Add to taste: dry humor, faith against odds, bloody heartbreak. Bake 53 years in hard knocks oven. Add spark of Goddess. Serve with acoustic guitar and baritone vocals.

Why this name?

My mom picked it.

Do you play live?

I'm just getting started playing gigs in Southwest New Mexico.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

It's still a hard road to get your music recognized and appreciated.

Band History:

Five years ago I got a message from a higher power telling me to sing. I've played guitar for 35 years, but I believed I couldn't sing a note. But this wasn't the kind of message you couldn't refuse, so I started singing. It turns out I can sing, especially if I use my natural baritone instead of trying to imitate Neil Young. Four years ago I started writing songs, and I've been turning them out ever since.

Your influences?

I'd like to sing like Johnny Cash, Greg Brown, and Leonard Cohen. I'd like to write songs like Brown, Cohen, and Bob Dylan. I'd like to play guitar like Neil Young (acoustic version) and Willie Nelson. But it's not going to happen. So I just do what I can with what I've got.

Favorite spot?

I'm pretty happy here in the wilderness of New Mexico.

Equipment used:

Recently I started playing baritone guitar. I have two--an Alvarez Yairi and a Soare's Electric hollow body. For regular tuning I play a VanLinge acoustic, made by local luthier Scott VanLinge. I also play a banjo guitar and a classical guitar on occasion.

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