Andy Wood is generation Y's emerging guitar
rock phenom. You may be saying to yourself, "Then why have I never
heard of him?" That's because up until the age of eighteen he was
busy mastering the mandolin and bluegrass.
Andy spent most of his childhood playing and competing
in bluegrass festivals. Touring the bluegrass circuit with his cousin
and grandfather provided Andy with the necessary exposure that helped
refine and sharpen his skills. Andy and his cousin held various state
championship titles. At the young age of sixteen Andy finished second
in the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MANDOLIN CONTEST in Winfield, Kansas.
Fast forward a few years. Andy's curiosity and appreciation
for music drew him into the world of electric guitars. The new instrument
was familiar due to his experience with acoustic instruments, but at
the same time, allowed him to manipulate his sound in ways never before
possible. He began studying the styles of Nashville session players
such as Brent Mason and Albert Lee.
It was not long before Andy had immersed himself in
new styles such as jazz, swing, fusion, and rock. Andy began to study
other guitar greats such as The Dixie Dregs, Eric Johnson, Eddie Van
Halen, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai. Shortly after, the young guitarist
began incorporating their influences into his own style.
At the age of 22, Andy was drawn back to competition
in the form ofGUITARMAGEDON, a guitar contest sponsored by guitar center.
Andy was a face in the crowd of 3,400 other contestants, but he quickly
made his presence known as he began to rip through complex notes that
had top level musicians dropping their jaws. Four years after picking
up the electric guitar, Andy was crowned the champion of the prominent
tournament.
Not long after winning Guitarmagedon, Andy became a
founding member of the rock group DOWN FROM UP. They have toured
with Seven Dust, Drowning Pool and 10 Years. Looking for an outlet for
styles other than hard rock, Andy also released his debut solo album A
DISCONCERTING AMALGAM. This instrumental record covers a broad range
of genres including fusion, rock,metal, and acoustic
bluegrass.
Today, you can find Andy in the recording studio (a.k.a.
his second home), at clinics around the country teaching hosts of up
and coming guitar prodigies, or live onstage in front of his rapidly
growing fan base. No matter where you catch this emerging musician,
if you get the opportunity to hear him play, he will blur the lines
of preconceived genres.
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