Whether performing in an intimate folk club, a concert hall, or an outdoor festival, Ed Mc Dade, definitely reaches the audience. He brings a warm, baritone voice, lively guitar techniques, and numerous original songs culled from his three recordings(“Water Spirit”-with Gene Friesen of the Paul Winter Consort, "Radio Songs"-with the great European Folk/Bluegrass band Nugget, and "Cloak of Civility"-with the American band McD). Ed also likes to include the music of other Folk/CountryBlues artists in his shows.
Ed writes and sings songs of the human condition and songs that speak to important issues of today, in a style that is insightful to satirical, stark to soulful, serious to seriously funny. He has received numerous awards for his songwriting ability (American song Festival-Los Angeles, CA., New song festival-Kerrville TX., Hank Williams song festival-Avoca, IA.). Ed McDade has taken his music across the country and around the world.
Bio
BIOGRAPHY
Ed McDade
Singer/Songwriter
Singer and songwriter ED Mc DADE was born in Philadelphia to a music-loving
Family. Dad played harmonica, Mom sang and one brother was a professional musician. He began playing acoustic music in high school(during the folk revival), and worked frequently at
local clubs in the Philadelphia area. Later, Ed played electric bass,
joining many notable bands such as Axis, who opened for the late Jim
Morrison. He also played bass for Len Barry of Bristol Stomp fame, Millie Mc Clain, Chicago Blues & Soul luminary and did
session work with Barry Goldberg of the Electric Flag.
At University during the late 1960's, Ed was an English/social studies major and political activist.
By 1974, he had returned to the acoustic guitar, which he found more
suited to his voice and musical style. That's when Ed "moved to the country" and began writing his own songs.
Ed has taken his music across the USA and around the world. Performing
in Canada, Jamaica, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Italy and the former
republics of Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia. He has also done extensive studio
work in the San Francisco Bay Area, Philadelphia and New York City.
Ed has performed almost exclusively as a solo acoustic act, playing original
songs mixed with country blues picking in the style of Mississippi John Hurt and
Doc Watson. His ease in live performances, developed in a wide variety of music
venues, enables him to reach audiences of all types. He has appeared on radio
and television, both in the USA & Europe and performs regularly at Community/Art festivals, Universities, folk clubs, rallies, fairs, Theatres, etc.
Mr. McDade has won numerous song writing awards (American Song Festival, Los
Angeles, CA; New Song Festival, Kerrville, TX; Hank Williams Song Festival,
Avoca, IA) and has received wide acceptance and air play for both of his
recordings (*Water Spirit* in 1987 with guest artist Gene Friesen of the Paul
Winter Consort and *Radio Songs* in 1995. Two of the compositions on radio songs were recorded in Vienna, Austria with the great Euro band Nugget).
His latest project, "CLOAK OF CIVILITY" is a blend of electric & acoustic music featuring smoldering blues, joyous funk, funny/insightful folk and contagious reggae; dealing with political and cultural issues like corporate corruption, war, environmental destruction, diminished civil liberties, trade policies, dirty $$$$$$$ in politics, media manipulation, GMO foods(IS YOUR COW MAD YET?), too much power in too few hands, etc., etc., etc.-----SO-get ENERGIZED-INSPIRED-and READY for ACTION(even if it's only dancing).
"McD excellent"-Radio Micron-Belgium "Definitely holds your attention"-Kingston Radio-UK "Especially good"-Radio Enghien-France "Great style"-Novaradio A-Italy
"Mucho Feeling"-Radio Turia-Spain
"Powerful"-Radio Ingalstadt-Germany
"Sensitivity and artistic range"-Len Ziemkiewicz-Guild Hall-East Hampton-NY
"Very talented, wonderful performance"-Barbara Roder-Hawkeye College-IA
"Good show"-Larry Knowles-Addison Hall-Ft.Washington-MD
"Excellent"-Chris Caputo-Sundays on Stage-Philadelphia-PA "Grace under pressure"-DR. Steinhagen-Marietta College-OH "World veteran of the music scene"-Center Daily Times-State College-PA