Scott Mckenna

"An AMAZING performance that kept us all captivated from beginning to end!" - Alexis Moore (Student Activities Director)

From his laid back appearance of typical college boy blue jeans and buttoned down shirt, you would think at first glance that he was just one of us. But Scott McKenna is far from typical. The 19 year-old acoustic singer/song writer from Bethlehem has a sound and rhythm many could not sum it up in one word.

The crowd grew as featured songs from Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Ryan Cabrera, and Howie Day lured them in. Scott's show stood out among the other common grounds performers; instead of sounding like one singer on the stage, it seemed as if a whole band was actually there. He uses a musical element known as "looping" to enhance his live performances. A technique used by one of his favorite artists, Howie Day.

Though it sounded like a full band the only thing accompanying him on stage was "Beaker" from the Muppets, who for the most part kept quiet in a chair next to him. He referred to Beaker as "security" who he had met in Connecticut, not too long ago. Security was the last thing he needed; the audience loved him and anticipated more.

Scott was excited about the turnout. His new CD comes out the second week in December, and you can expect a developed, matured sound. One of the songs that will be on the new CD is, "So very beautiful", which he performed live for us. It is a song written fro his one and a half year old niece, Skylar, who means the world to him.

Scotts songs come from a bunch of different places, from his up bringing, situations that arise, and to his biggest inspiration, Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band. He tries not to write about himself but about things that effect everyone, never offensive, and always open to all audiences.

From his first show at the Red Hill Hotel, which had a bar with a maximum seating of four, Scott has personally and musically come a long way, at only 19. If you didn't see him, or you want to see him again, he plays locally and is worth checking out. You can go to his webpage at www.scottmckenna.com or maybe one day you will turn on your car radio and sign along to "You feel no pain", his closing song of the evening and the title track on his debut album, hey you never know. - Allison Peitz

Scott McKenna will not be having the typical summer of an eighteen-year old. Instead of wasting the days having fun in the sun he will touring to support his new album "You Feel No Pain." In an exclusive interview for "The Stage" McKenna sat down to talk with us about his new release and his connection to the Badlees.

Scott McKenna is a native of Allentown PA. In addition to being a vocalist, he also plays guitar. McKenna’s passion for music came form his father, Bill who plays the drums. McKenna’s first guitar was a Christmas present that he received from his parents when he was thirteen.

The song that McKenna performed on "The Stage" was "You Feel No Pain" the title track from his upcoming album. This song made the cut because it is McKenna’s favorite song.

June 6th is the release date for "Feel no Pain" which features lots of straightforward guitar driven tracks and strong vocals. McKenna’s first CD "Beginnings" consisted of cover songs. This release is the opposite, with all original music. McKenna feels this as a natural progression of his music.

Saturation Acres, located in Danville, PA is where McKenna went to record his album. To give a little history, Saturation Acres is the brainchild of 2 Badlees members, Bret Alexander and Paul Smith. The material required a full band, so members of the Badlees stepped in. The experience, McKenna sums up as "having the chance to work with phenomenal musicians."

When he plays out, McKenna still has some cover songs in his repertoire. His theory is that "you have to add the new songs in slowly." With the Lehigh Valley music scene McKenna feels that "what people want to hear is songs they know." One day he would like to play with a band, but now it is easier to find places to play as a solo artist.

To support his new release, McKenna will be going on a min-tour. In July he will be playing the Outer Banks region, and in August he will be in Texas.

Along with the expression of lost love, some of the songs on the album have a spiritual feel, something close to McKenna’s heart. He was brought up in a spiritual home and carries with him many of these values.

When it comes to writing songs, McKenna has an interesting approach. For him, the music comes before the lyrics. "It’s hard to plan to write songs. Nothing ever comes out when you try to plan." McKenna feels it easier to sing to get a point across, being able to deliver more through music than plain words.

McKenna tends to write about universal things for his tunes. Quick to point out that he doesn’t write about himself, especially the relationship songs. McKenna sums it up as "writing songs about watching other people." Although, soon enough, the one that people will be watching will be him. - Mellisa Evanko

"Every show that Scott & Nick play, the room is filled. We always get lots of positive comments on how enjoyable the show was, and make sure they are invited back every year."
- Chris Bello (Student Activities Director)

"You don't hear many acoustic acts fill a room the way that they do. My students just love them. Their talent impressed me since the very first time I heard them, and each performance has impressed me more and more." - Bridget Thomas (Student Activities Director)