A snapshot is defined as an informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera. It is no mistake that Dan McCoy’s new EP Snapshots and one of his new songs share this title. Dan has been telling stories of everyday people in the lyrics of his songs for more than two decades, often speaking to the dynamics of relationships with a grit and realness similar to the prose of other blue collar heroes such as Springsteen, Seger, and Petty.
To celebrate the release of the new EP Snapshots, Dan will be enlisting his long time band, the Standing 8s to take the stage at the historic Geauga Theater in downtown Chardon, OH. Kevin Conaway will join the night as a special guest. The show will take place on Saturday April 22, 2023 at 7pm. The Geauga Theater is located at 101 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.mccoymusic.com or at www.geauga.theater. To hear the new EP & check out a video for one of the new songs here.
All 5 songs on the EP are new compositions from McCoy. Recorded partially remotely and partially at Plaid Dog Studios in Boston, MA. Dan worked for the first time with producer Max Challis. The core group for the recording included: Daniel Yoong (gtr, bs, organ), Kyle Harris (drums), Carter Sanders (organ, gtr). John Snyder (violin) added his parts remotely from Bristol VA, the birthplace of Country Music.
Written by a true troubadour most of the songs focus on relationships, from the title track’s “you don’t what you got til it’s gone” sensibility to “Dance With You” which exudes the excitement of a new relationship. Closing the EP is “Cold Feet”, aptly titled, about a woman undecided about her upcoming nuptials. With a different perspective, track 4 “Remember”, takes the perspective of a dying man looking back on his life with his beloved wife which McCoy penned with his grandparents in mind.
To become a Master Craftsman one must dedicate hours, days, and years to their craft. Dan McCoy has been in the troubadour woodshed of rock clubs and neighborhood pubs for more than 30 years now honing his skills as a composer, singer, guitarist, and performer.
This metaphoric woodshed has taken Dan through shows in over 10 states that have been as diverse as playing the infamous and now defunct CBGBs in Manhattan, songwriter haven The Blue Bird in Nashville, to opening for Brooks and Dunn at Blossom Music Center. In between the traveling Dan has been a mainstay in the Cleveland music scene, winning awards from Scene Magazine and having his name placed above the entry door at Mullarkey’s Pub in his hometown of Willoughby, OH.
McCoy has been bringing his brand of Heartland-Alt.Country-Rock to the masses since 1988 (he played his first gig a month before his 15th birthday). There have been many comparisons of McCoy’s music to Springsteen, Petty, Seger, Mellencamp as well as more contemporary artists such as Lucero, Drive-By Truckers & Will Hoge. “McCoy has a boyish, fun rock voice that sounds like Jackson Browne with more guts and growl” says Jennifer Layton from Indie-Music.com. His enthusiastic onstage persona is infectious & by the end of a set one feels as though he’s an old friend you haven’t seen in a while.
About the Geauga Theater:
The Geauga Theater Community Arts Center is a 292 seat Art Deco treasure nestled on Chardon’s quaint, walkable, uptown Square. Built in 1939, it was formerly known as the Geauga Cinema and operated as a movie theater for nearly 60 years. Now, the Geauga Theater hosts live theater, live music, classic cinema and a variety of other acts such as orchestras, dance companies, comedians, and more. Much of the content is created, produced and facilitated by Thrive Performing and Visual Arts – a nonprofit organization that operates the theater.