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Music
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| Music is a huge part of Andy's life. He uses it to give voice to his faith, to tell stories that he feels need to be given life, and to bring together people that are important to him. Music is a family affair for him as well. He and his wife, Terry, have collaborated on almost all of his projects. On some, his son-in-law played the drums, his wife played the piano and sang as he played guitar and sang. He even has his own studio in his basement, which enables him to record and produce the music that means so much. |
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Andy's music, which is a blend of humor, musical ingenuity, and soul, has been influenced by such great artists as James Taylor, Ray Stevens, Ray Charles, Chet Atkins, and Charlie Bird. He has also helped to produce albums for other musicians such as Professor Dom Peruso, Bluestones, and other school bands he has met through his work at Juniata.
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The first recorded album Andy ever did was an attempt to acquaint children with alternate hero figures. Almost all of the heroes for children are famous or well known for violent actions. Andy wanted to put something out there that told stories of real people who did amazing things in the name of peace.
One story that inspired him was the story of a man who was a pacifist during the time of the Vietnam War, but felt that it was his duty to do his part in the struggle. He went to Vietnam to work towards rebuilding their country and to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He worked there for two years, he then married a Chinese woman who shared his ideals about peace. On the second evening of their honeymoon they were attacked and he was killed. Stories like these inspired Andy to write about brave people who have also been nonviolent.
He has five other albums of his own as well as one for a caring and capable kids curriculum for public schools and one for a program called Heifer Project International, which is a hunger relief program. All of these experiences and productions and songs have given Andy an appreciation for music of all kinds.