Bryan Field McFarland
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Bryan Field McFarland

Band Folk Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Bryan Field @ UNC Charlotte"

Bryan Field McFarland, with flair and poise, graced the stage for two concerts at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Bryan's style, story, rhythm and his mood have a James Taylor like quality that makes you slip away into another world, praying he never ends. Bryan is a master with the six-string, has a splendid voice, and his gift of words leaves you stunned in envy. Bryan reveals through his music a certain and strong vision of humanity, embracing justice and hope, I recommend him to anyone who wants to hear good music.

~ Rev. Stephen R. Cheyney,
Chaplain,
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- University Chaplain @ UNCC


"Connections Between Music & Vocation"

A large part of the success of our event was Bryan Field McFarland's hard work, energy, and vision about the connections between music and vocation, not to mention the faith and personal journey he shares so willingly. Bryan has deep reserves of talent, wisdom, and creativity. - ~ Rev. Anne McKee,


"A Force To Be Reckoned With"

Bryan Field McFarland's contributions to our worship experience have been varied, moving, and memorable. He has led multiple workshops featuring stimulating discussions that people continue to talk about weeks later. His music ministry has enriched our CoffeeHouse Worship Service with wisdom, wit, and strength of meaning that perfectly complements and enhances the liturgical message. His powerful lyrics and musical artistry pull people in and provide thoughtful inspiration during worship and long after the service is over. He is a force "to be reckoned with" in the most positive meaning of that phrase! His music and message will grab you and not let go, nor do you want it to. A wonderful addition to any service and a complete "package" unto himself. I highly recommend Bryan.

~ Jennifer C. Elcano,
Music Coordinator for the CoffeeHouse Worship Service
Burke Presbyterian Church,
Burke, VA
- Burke Presbyterian Church - Burke, VA


"A Larger Audience"

I first met Bryan at a weekend event at which he was providing the music. As I listened to his music and lyrics, I thought this man needs a much larger audience. He is a man of the Spirit who helps us listeners draw near and worship God. His manner is one of
ease and gentleness. What he sings makes you want to know the One he
sings about. I heartedly commend his ministry.

~ Ben Campbell Johnson,
Professor Emeritus,
Columbia Theological Seminary - Ben Campbell Johnson


"A grand folk album"

"Way" is a wonderful sophomore effort by Bryan Field [McFarland]. His acoustic guitar runs the folk gamut, from lullaby ("Lullaby For Meagan") to emotional ballad ("For Ever") to instrumental track ("Planxty Irwin") and finally to mellow folk rocker ("Way"). This is no basement recording. Polished and professional, [McFarland has] impressed my ear and will go on the shelf next to James Taylor. All lyrical cliche's aside, Bryan Field [McFarland] has created a grand folk album, one that will be discovered and loved by those who hear it.

- Jake Nuckolls - cdreviews.com (Jul 19, 2005)


"Themes of Christian spirituality"

Finally!!...meaningful Christian music not produced by a Praise band! Bryan Field [McFarland's] Way refreshes with acoustic melodies and poetic lyrics. Sometimes relaxing and sometimes a bit spunky, this PCUSA minister will move you to thankfulness�one of Calvin's great themes�with his songs about relationships, children and prayer. [McFarland] explores themes of Christian spirituality that are being revived in churches across the country today. - Jonathan Evans - Presbyterians Today (May 30, 2005)


"Sung faith"

Re: All That Matters by Bryan Field McFarland

What matters to McFarland is the connection between deep faith rootage and current courage for faith in action. In cadences that bring the listener along, McFarland witnesses to hard issues that must be faced, but sings, in the midst of those hard issues, about healing, hope and finally about the divine “You.” Sung faith generates openness to freedom and obedience. The beat is just right for free obedience and obedient freedom. - Walter Brueggemann


"A CELEBRATION OF LIFE"

The world needs more musicians like Bryan Field McFarland.

On second thought.

The world needs more people like Bryan Field McFarland.

On his newly released full length album All that Matters, McFarland touches upon the gamut of human emotion and registers an album of such emotional honesty and purity that it cant help but place a beaming, joyous smile on your face for the rest of the day.

As a musician in my own right, it is and has always been my quest to observe the simple joys and wonderment in life and hopefully, reflect those feelings in songs... and in turn hopefully help others to see that joy within themselves. It is the most important quest (in my estimation) for any musician or artist for that matter.

And McFarland does this with such ease that it is hard not to relish in delight over his talent. Take for instance his song "Blacktop River," a moving acoustic number (in the vein of John Hiatt or the later career solo work of David Crosby) that simply put, is a track about taking your car out and experiencing the glory of good drive. Simply put, McFarland's music is a celebration of life, and so much of that kind of musical magic is lost in today's music market.

At times, McFarland's CD hits too heavy with religious overtones, which has never been my forte per-se, but what I do admire about these songs is that they are not geared around changing the religious beliefs of the listener, but rather simply state the feeling that McFarland has about his own faith. And again, this is a testament of McFarland's gifted craft as a songwriter.

So please, take a listen to Bryan Field McFarland's new CD... it is bound to make you feel better about your day, and anything that has the ability to do that is something purely magical. - Mark Dougherty - Reactor Media Reviews


"Growing his soul"

Bryan's wealth and breadth of original songs, knowledge of literature, ease, gentleness, and proclivity for communicating with ANYONE had students comfortable and engaged throughout his time with us. Bryan's particular attentiveness and natural ability to TEACH made working with him a piece of pie!

When Bryan presented his latest gift, "Lyrical Freedom Riders," I watched my most difficult-to-focus student moved to tears.... This student NEVER could have articulated his understanding of the experience of the Freedom Riders in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, but his stillness and silent tears evidenced true cognition. When questioned, he simply explained his reaction was "because of Bryan's song."

I've known Bryan for twenty-five years and was sure he was extraordinary the day I met him. Watching and listening to him these years later, it is plain that he has been growing his soul. He brings his bountiful spirit, his singular talents, his sometimes quiet and sometimes resounding joyfulness as well as his considerable heart to any context. - Ciretta Carroll, Special Education Teacher & Curriculum Developer, Academy for Career and Living Ski


"SPIRIT-LIFTING & SOUL-SEARCHING"

Bryan's music, poetry, prose, humor and guided reflection provides an amazing blend of spirit-lifting and soul-searching encounters with oneself and with others. Backed by his careful and focused preparation, his deep knowledge of relevant content, his orchestration of interactive episodes and his non-judgmental guidance, our two-day retreat with Florida State University undergraduate students was a profoundly moving and joyful experience. Having worked with dozens of professional consultants over many years, I have not witnessed a richer blend of knowledge/skill, creativity, empathy, sensitivity and caring for individuals and the group as-a-whole than provided by Bryan. It was inspiring, on target and a two-day blessing for all of us. - Dr. William Snyder, Professor Emeritus, Department of Education, Florida State University (Nov 15, 2


Discography

2007 ~ "All That Matters" - studio CD produced by Shawn Conley & Todd Sholar @ Red Alert Studios, Gallatin, TN

2004 ~ "Way" - studio CD produced by Rob Seals

2003 ~ "All Around Me" - Self produced CD

Photos

Bio

With calculated vocals drawing comparisons to some of his contemporary influences - James Taylor, Bruce Cockburn, David Wilcox - Bryan's altered tuning guitar work just might owe more to an experience he had as a three-year-old. Bryan recalls, "At the first concert I attended, I was mesmerized by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins."

Though his songwriting seeds were sewn as a child, it took a bachelor's degree in English Literature, a master's in Divinity and a career as a pastor and campus minister to send him in the direction he's headed these days.

Bryan not only plays house concerts and listening rooms, but also provides workshops/retreats on a variety of topics. Go to for more information.

With the release of "All That Matters" Bryan has all 12 songs in MediaShout software for lyric projection. This can be an effective, moving, and transformational worship/concert experience.

Bryan lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife, daughter, two dogs and a cat.

For booking inquiries contact Michelle Goodman at:
email - booking@bryanfield.net
cell - 704/437-3096