Amanda McCoy

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 the famous rock 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

Coming from a very musical family, Amanda started playing the guitar at age three and started playing bass shortly thereafter. Her 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 have 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 with a focus on bass guitar performance.

Currently, Amanda is touring and recording with “ZASZ Revolution,” a Nashville progressive-rock super-group. 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 EP entitled Jade. This special collection of songs is garnering accolades wherever it is heard. All songs were written and arranged by Amanda McCoy. Brandon Barnes (Pittsburgh, PA) arranged and performed all the percussion on Jade. Along with Amanda, Pandel Collaros produced the EP 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, [Amanda] proved to be a talented and strong individual whose soul runs deep blue.” – BJFM / Blues Triangle Update