Bryan Field McFarland
Bryan Field McFarland
Greensboro, NC
Folk / Folk Rock / Acoustic
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Bryan clearly recalls one of his first guitar lessons because “there was a media frenzy around the rumor that Paul McCartney was dead. I recall watching the news instead of having a lesson.“ While that brief interruption didn't hinder him from becoming a great guitarist, it likely propelled Bryan in a unique direction as a songwriter with tunes fueled by mystery, spirituality, pop culture and all things human.
Independently releasing his first studio CD on his own sassafrasongs label in 2004, "Way" is an uplifting collection of acoustic-based songs that read like a spiritual road map: suggesting we can get there from here while acknowledging there will be twists and turns along the way. Guest artists include Dale Baker, David LaMotte, Laurelyn Dossett of Polecat Creek and producer Rob Seals.
Bryan's calculated vocals draw comparisons to some of his contemporary influences - James Taylor, Bruce CockburnDavid Wilcox - while his precisely-picked guitar work owes more to an experience he had when he was young: “My parents took me to a Chet Atkins concert when I was three and I was mesmerized.“ Though his songwriting seeds were sewn as a youth, it took a 1983 Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Maryville College in Tennessee, a 1987 Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky, and a career as a local church pastor and campus minister to send him in the direction he's headed these days.
Bryan combines spirituality and emotional storytelling into a sentimental yet lighthearted style. He tours listening rooms, theaters and coffeehouses AND leads workshops and retreats at colleges & universities, churches, conference centers, and private venues. Bryan also provides programs as artist-in-residence and offers services as a worship-leader.
Excited about going back in the studio in 2007 - this time in the Nashville-area at Red Alert Studios - recording a collection of original songs called All That Matters, Bryan is also enthusiastic about the CD's companion devotion/study guide and is planning multiple tours supporting this new project.
Bryan lives in Greensboro, NC with wife, Diane; daughter, Meagan; two dogs - Sunshine & Mocha; and a looney cat named Misty.
Independently releasing his first studio CD on his own sassafrasongs label in 2004, "Way" is an uplifting collection of acoustic-based songs that read like a spiritual road map: suggesting we can get there from here while acknowledging there will be twists and turns along the way. Guest artists include Dale Baker, David LaMotte, Laurelyn Dossett of Polecat Creek and producer Rob Seals.
Bryan's calculated vocals draw comparisons to some of his contemporary influences - James Taylor, Bruce CockburnDavid Wilcox - while his precisely-picked guitar work owes more to an experience he had when he was young: “My parents took me to a Chet Atkins concert when I was three and I was mesmerized.“ Though his songwriting seeds were sewn as a youth, it took a 1983 Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Maryville College in Tennessee, a 1987 Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Kentucky, and a career as a local church pastor and campus minister to send him in the direction he's headed these days.
Bryan combines spirituality and emotional storytelling into a sentimental yet lighthearted style. He tours listening rooms, theaters and coffeehouses AND leads workshops and retreats at colleges & universities, churches, conference centers, and private venues. Bryan also provides programs as artist-in-residence and offers services as a worship-leader.
Excited about going back in the studio in 2007 - this time in the Nashville-area at Red Alert Studios - recording a collection of original songs called All That Matters, Bryan is also enthusiastic about the CD's companion devotion/study guide and is planning multiple tours supporting this new project.
Bryan lives in Greensboro, NC with wife, Diane; daughter, Meagan; two dogs - Sunshine & Mocha; and a looney cat named Misty.
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