“McCarthy said he plays drums in addition to acoustic guitar and singing lead vocals. "I'm operating a bass drum and a foot tambourine all at the same time. So I've become literally a one-man band, which is really kind of neat," he said.”

“The year 2016 was a busy one for Dan McCarthy. He works as a dispatcher/driver for Schuster Concrete and as a bus attendant for Washington County Commuter. He also is a husband and father who plays and records music. The Hagerstown man also just released a new EP, "Dan McCarthy Live at The Cottage." The digital download features seven tracks, including three that were recorded in December at The Cottage Pub and Restaurant in Chambersburg, Pa. "It was a kind of a rainy, bad-weather night and it was not the biggest crowd, but there is no such thing as too small a crowd," he said. "If you have a handful of folks that are intently listening and really, really enjoying the music, sometimes those are actually your best shows." One of the new songs on the EP is called "Hobo Camp," which McCarthy wrote after seeing a homeless camp in the area with an American flag flying in front of it.”

“At the most elemental level, Dan McCarthy’s songwriting is captivating and simple. His ability to capture and transmit a feeling of intimacy in his songs is mindboggling. His lyrics are weaved brilliantly around the songs’ music – a simple strum of an acoustic guitar – as the muscle and tissue are built around a single backbone in order to lift up and sustain the body of his songs. Insightful and melodic, subdued and sparse, but equally as thoughtful and moving, Dan McCarthy has all his own style and is not afraid to tell us who he is. He is slowly and creatively forging his own musical path.”

“Through “My wish for peace”, “I’ll Climb”, “You Don’t Know What I’m Thinking”, “My Fathers House”, “Shortened Yellow Lights Cost Lives” and “The Shell Of A Man” the riddles of life have not yet been completely solved, but addressed and updated for modern man to better understand by Dan McCarthy. Take his personal and poignant journey while mystery and discovery still thrive in abundance as companions, ageless and enduring.”

“The natural ability to soothe, and subtly suggest by song and lyric, marks Dan McCarthy for distinction. Moreover he has not sought commercial commerce of his product through compromise. His sojourn in relative obscurity will move slowly towards its end, once his talents become too immense to ignore or deny. “My Wish For Peace” is the demarcation where old musical worlds presents itself to new ones meet.”

“With its gorgeous overtly conscientious lyrics and folksy songs, Dan has proven that he is a singer-songwriter that means business. In an industry flooded with perversely “perfect” imagery, he gives us the word of and the observations of an imperfect man in an imperfect world. Whatever the subject, Dan McCarthy can tackle it head on without compromising who he is. Dan McCarthy’s music is as bare boned as is his soul to a world moving at speeds unfathomed as a society and civilization. In an era where family focus, in sync with the environment, has become disengaged, desensitized, disenchanted, and disillusioned and where natural born instincts and intuitions have been dulled by mere repetitions. It is in this environment that McCarthy, the modern day chronicler and troubadour turns out simple acoustic songs of remarkable wisdom and heritage on the spirit of man.”

“That Dan McCarthy is a resilient and determined artist is clear by one of the statements found on his website: “We can change the music industry, one note at a time. Just let it flow. Be yourself! Doesn’t worry about fitting in or having an “image”, just play good soulful music! It’s ok to be different! It’s ok to be unique!” At times poetic, at times prophetic, and at times just lush and beautiful, “My Wish For Peace” the EP by Dan McCarthy will grow on you more and more with every listen.”

“The watery smile of ‘You Don’t Know What I’m Thinking’ is another highlight from the EP, it’s not as accusing as the title suggests as it takes a soft sound that seems to hold your hand slightly, letting you know you’re not alone. The remaining three tracks flaunt McCarthy’s sound excellently, ‘My Father’s House’ in particular shows off his technical ability opening with warping riffs that unfurl and tighten while a homage to his past is sung.”

“The title track begins with a slowly building intro before the quietly powerful “We need peace on earth today / Don’t let the evil ones take your power away / Kindness is in your hearts, its time to start a new day” makes you stop in your tracks and start thinking. It’s hard not to just quote the whole song, every word wields a meaningful message that you can not ignore. ‘I’ll Climb’ is a simpler, toned down song, focusing more on the cheery riffs that tug slightly on the corners of your mouth. It does well as a motivational song, as you can tell by the title it looks at McCarthy overcoming obstacles, or, in this case, the girl who ‘turned the other way’.”

“I have always had a little soft spot for good acoustics and Dan McCarthy never fails to hit that spot with whatever he makes. His most recent release is an EP called ‘My Wish For Peace’, 6 tracks of heart-felt music, the first inspired by the Paris attacks. The EP again reveals McCarthy’s usual effortless skill and gentle manners but it’s the lyrics in the first track that really takes your breath away.”

“In addition to about 15 to 20 gigs a year, McCarthy said he plays in a praise band at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown with Western Maryland Blues Fest founder Carl Disque and Andrew Wallace, who also plays in the local band Staff Infection. “Carl’s an amazing influence, too. Attorney by day and musician by night,” he said. “We all kind of lead these two-sided lives where we have a day job and then at night, we get to go play. It’s such a stress relief where you can use your creativity, and all the stress from the day actually just comes right out of you through your instrument. But in the process, you’re writing some amazing stuff.” About Dan McCarthy More information about acoustic folk-rock singer songwriter Dan McCarthy can be found on his website, www.danmccarthysoloacoustic.com and on his Facebook page. Samples of his music, links to download and a schedule are available on the website. More information about CityIICity is available at www.cityIIcity.com.”

“Earlier this month, McCarthy played at the pop-up shops event in downtown Hagerstown. “I was really thrilled to help with that. They ask for volunteers to come and perform, and I like to be involved with the City of Hagerstown because I care, because I live here and I wanna see the downtown thrive,” he said. McCarthy said his main influences are Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. “I think those three guys are just stellar in their songwriting. I mean the stuff that they write about is just incredible music,” he said. Otherwise, he said it’s difficult to label his music as a particular genre. “I call myself an acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriter,” he said.”

““I had this moment of inspiration, if you will, just kind of looking around me. I’m just one of the luckiest guys, ‘cause I realized what I had. It just kind of sunk in and it’s like, ‘Wow, I’m happily married with two, bright amazing kids who get nearly perfect report cards almost every time and are so incredibly bright.’” As a result of his realization, McCarthy said he wrote his first song, “Help Me to See,” which became part of his first album, “Lost, Enjoy Your Journey,” which was released in April 2014 on various digital platforms, including iTunes and Amazon. His second album, “When the Light Fades,” was released in January, after which McCarthy started getting requests to play at various local venues. “It kind of started in West Virginia, and I’ve actually been playing a lot in Chambersburg (Pa.) and Gettysburg (Pa.) areas,” he said.”

“McCarthy said he’s confident he made the right decision. “It’s gonna be a show kind of like ‘The Voice’ or ‘American Idol’ if you will, but it’s going to be delivered to over 120 different countries. I’m actually going to get to release a single. And the single that I picked is ‘My Wish For Peace.’” “It’s an amazing exposure opportunity,” he said. “My Wish For Peace” was written following the November terrorist attacks in Paris, McCarthy said. “I was having this deep emotion and I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to write a song about it.’” McCarthy said he has always loved music, and played guitar in a rock band when he was in high school. But he got away from performing after he went to college, got married and started a family. Then, something changed for him.”

“Dan McCarthy considers himself blessed. The Long Island, N.Y., native works in construction and concrete by day, and spends his evenings unwinding by writing and performing acoustic music. The 43-year-old Hagerstown resident’s songwriting ability recently was noticed when he was chosen from more than 2,000 area musical acts to audition for the ongoing City II City Music in the Spotlight. City II City, McCarthy said, is an opportunity for singer-songwriters to appear on in Demand networks, including Dish Network, Comcast Big South, Verizon FIOS and Verizon Wireless. McCarthy said he was able to apply through ReverbNation. “I was actually in the top hundred acts of over 2,000 people applying for Baltimore, with acts coming as far as Charlottesville, Va., so I was really kind of blown away and at first, I thought, ‘Wow this is kind of crazy. Should I do it?’ And then I thought, ‘Well, of course I should do it, because what if I don’t do it? This could be the opportunity of a l”

“Fence Post Man' reminds me of Gordon Giltrap, the track leaks the same level of skill and emotion as Giltrap does in his own music. Lyrically, the next song is my favourite. 'White Light' is so sweet and gentle, opening to the sound of "Sometimes I see the light in me, sometimes I see the stars, sometimes I see the light in you, the space between the stars and me, the space between the stars and you". 'After The Rain', 'Firefly' and 'Ladybug Point' all lead up to 'The Woods', the closure of the album, with grace and purity. 'The Woods' does end the LP perfectly, McCarthy's vocals make twang somewhere deep inside your soul whilst the fluidity of guitar notes make you feel like your floating. I don't think he could have ended the album any other way.”

“The following track,'Crazy Sun', is one of my personal favourites. It has a wave like melody and is predominantly instrument, it has been perfect for soothing away any stresses I've had and settling me down for the night. What more do you want out of a piece of acoustic music? 'Moonbeams', 'Dream Time' and 'Lost' continue to hold onto McCarthy's wondrous relaxing and loving essence whilst the songs still flaunt their own special sparks, making them all into independant flourishes.”

“Dan McCarthy's recent album 'When The Light Fades' is one to fall in love to. A fully hand-crafted and acoustic album that holds a magical essence. 'Fly Away' has already been featured following its appearance on the 'Acoustic Arsenal' Compilation (read the review here). Even from the first track your muscles begin lose their tension as you ease into McCarthy's lucid voice and gentle melodies.”

“What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? The highlight of my career was when I reached #7 in the U.S. and #9 globally on Reverbnation.com for Singer Songwriter. And also being featured on an upcoming acoustic compilation from Factory Fast Records due out on Amazon.com to be entitled "Dueces High Acoustic Arsenal". Also a huge highlight is the amazing support I get from EMR Records and all of my fellow artists on the roster. We are big on cross promotion where we share each others' music on Facebook and other social media. We are able to effectively promote ourselves by caring about each other as a force united. Also a highlight would be achieving airplay on internet radio stations including Lonely Oak radio, Museboat radio, Rockers Dive radio, Mixstream radio on Mixsposure.”

"Great guitar playing on display here. Reminds me a little of Stephen Stills' work, but I think I actually like your voice better."