Patrick McAvinue


Patrick Coleman McAvinue is an American fiddler, combining in his music aspects of bluegrass, swing, and Celtic music. He is also a private music educator. He is the IBMA's 2017 Fiddle Player of the Year.

Biography

Early years

McAvinue is a native of Hereford, Maryland. He began playing fiddle at age 7 and was trained as a classical violinist. At age 10, Peabody graduate Amy Hopkins taught him fiddle tunes from all over the world. Then he received training from multi-instrumentalist Troy Engle. At age 12, McAvinue formed The Salem Bottom Boys, his first band.
In 2003, 2004, and 2005, McAvinue won the Delaware State Fiddle Championship. In 2004, he joined the band Smooth Kentucky after hearing the band on a local radio show. The band also included Ed Hough, B.J. Lazarus, Cris Jacobs, Dave Frieman, Jordan Tice and Dave Giegerich.
In 2011, McAvinue received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance from Towson University, where he studied under pianist Tim Murphy, trumpeter David Ballou, and violinist Dr. Jeffrey Howard.

Audie Blaylock and Redline

In 2006, at age 16, McAvinue joined Audie Blaylock and Redline. He has recorded seven albums with them, including 2016's ''The Road That Winds.''

Solo recordings

On McAvinue's 2006 solo album Grave Run, he was assisted by Dudley Connell, Sammy Shelor, Chris Warner, Troy Engle, David McLaughlin, Marshall Wilborn, and Mike Auldridge.
Rutland's Reel in 2008 featured Audie Blaylock, Jesse Brock, Michael Cleveland, Barry Reid, Pete Kelly, and Chris Warner.

Charm City Junction

In 2014, McAvinue formed the band Charm City Junction with Brad Kolodner, Sean McComiskey and Alex Lacquement. Charm City is a nickname for Baltimore. Charm City Junction plays a mix of Celtic music. The band began when McAvinue, Kolodner, and McComiskey met at an old-time music jam. They synced well, and added Lacquement to the new band.

Dailey & Vincent

In 2016, McAvinue moved to Nashville, Tennessee to be part of the Dailey & Vincent touring band, replacing B. J. Cherryholmes on fiddle.

Artist in Residence

In 2016, McAvinue accepted the position of Artist in Residence at the Strathmore Arts Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Awards

McAvinue received the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2015 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year award.
In 2017, McAvinue won the IBMA award for Fiddle Player of the Year.

Discography

Solo albums

  • 2006: Grave Run
  • 2008: Rutland's Reel
  • 2019: ''Perfect Fit''

With Smooth Kentucky

  • 2009: ''A Few More Miles''

With [Audie Blaylock] and Redline

  • 2009: Audie Blaylock and Redline
  • 2010: Cryin Heart Blues
  • 2010: Live at Graves Mountain
  • 2011: I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky: A Bill Monroe Celebration
  • 2011: Live at Bean Blossom
  • 2012: Hard Country
  • 2016: ''The Road That Winds''

With Charm City Junction

  • 2015: Charm City Junction
  • 2018: Duckpin
  • 2019: ''Snowball''

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