Amanda - Bass

Full Name: Amanda Louise McCoy

Date of Birth: August 12th, 1987

Position: Bass Guitar

Hometown: Coshocton, OH

Equipment: I exlusively perform with Fender basses and Ampeg amplifiers.

              Basses: Fender Jazz V (custom built) and Fender Precision V (custom built)

              Amps: Ampeg BA-115, Ampeg PR-1528, Ampeg B2R

Musical Training: I have studied bass guitar extensively with Pandel Collaros (Steubenville, OH), Victor Wooten (Nashville, TN), Steve Bailey (Myrtle Beach, SC), Regi Wooten (Nashville, TN) and Molly Pauken (Columbus, OH).

Bass At The Beach 2007: studied extensively with Kenny Aronoff, Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey, Howard Levy, Frank Gambale, Mike Pope, Dave Welsch and many others.

Bethany College 2009: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Music Major, Electric Bass, Guitar and Vocals, Coursework 2005-2009 Minor areas of study: Piano performance and Music business Studied extensively with Pandel Collaros.

Music: Neil Young, Tori Amos, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Victor Wooten, Pandel Collaros, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Coldplay, Johnny Winter, Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, Ani DiFranco, The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Keb Mo', Kiss, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Muse, Ben Folds, Of Montreal, Big Mama Thorton, Bob Dylan, Cream, Janis Joplin, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, The Who ... and so much more! I love music - those are only some of my favorite artists/bands.

Bio: Amanda performed at the Heritage Music BluesFest (Wheeling, WV) 2008 – as both a solo acoustic artist and bassist for The Catch Blues Band. Amanda and The Catch Blues Band combined forces to perform a smokin’ hot set as the opening act for blues legend Johnny Winter.

As a bassist, Amanda has performed and studied with many world-renowned musicians and bands – the list reads like a who’s who of the music industry, and includes Kenny Aronoff, Victor Wooten, Pandel Collaros, ZASZ, Steve Bailey, Mike Pope, Howard Levy, Frank Gambale, Brandon Barnes, Zack Wiesinger and Molly Pauken. Amanda has developed a solid, funky, and soulful style that keeps her audience at the edge of their seat – anxiously awaiting her next “soul-shaking” bassline.

After auditioning in 2007, Amanda was among 60 bassists internationally selected to attend Bass At The Beach, a five-day conference for serious bass guitarists. Here she met world-renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff – who became a major influence and dear friend.

"When I met Amanda at Bass At The Beach – I was impressed with her upbeat, and vivacious personality combined with a down to earth sensibility. When I played with her, I told her that I loved her feel, enthusiasm and exciting vibe when she played the bass. She rocks with an R&B feel.” –Kenny Aronoff

Amanda started playing the guitar at age three – and started playing bass shortly thereafter. Coming from a very musical family, Amanda’s parents played a major role in shaping her style and love of music. At the age of nine her Father taught her a simple blues progression. From that moment forward – Amanda has never looked back.

Amanda’s experience and training at the hands of skilled performer/pedagogues such as Victor Wooten and Kenny Aronoff have imbued her with a sense of professionalism that is lacking in most folks her age. Her interest in the music of the African-American blues masters has made her expert in the performance of blues, R&B, and rock musics. Her formal training and experience has provided her with reading skills that allow her to cover the gamut from jazz to musical theater. Amanda has mastered a variety of musical genres and equipped herself with the tools appropriate to tackle any musical style. Her solid, funky, and soulful bass playing just adds another dimension to her prodigious guitar, piano, and singing abilities.

When Amanda McCoy takes the stage, her musicianship and presence are both guaranteed to knock you off your feet.

Amanda graduated in 2009 from Bethany College with a Bachelor's of Arts in Music – primarily focusing on bass guitar performance.

When Amanda isn’t playing her bass guitar – you can find her in Nashville’s hottest venues performing her songs for an eager audience.

In November, Amanda released her first E.P. entitled “Jade.” This special collection of songs is getting reorganization wherever it is heard. All songs were written and arranged by Amanda McCoy. Brandon Barnes (Pittsburgh, PA) arranged and performed all of the percussion on “Jade.” Along with Amanda, Pandel Collaros produced the E.P. and also recorded and mixed each of the songs. Pandel’s expertise and vision was essential and is evident in the final outcome of “Jade.”

“In spite of her youth, she proved to be a talented and strong individual whose soul runs deep blue.” – BJFM / Blues Triangle Update.