Singer-Songwriter Erin McKewon Performs at SU March 11

SALISBURY, MD---Multi-instrumental singer/songwriter Erin Mckeown performs at Salisbury University as part of Women’s History Month 7 p.m. Friday, March 11 in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center. A native of Fredericksburg, VA, McKeown, 27, is not the typical “bubblegum” pop artist. Her music is influenced by fractured blues, French rock and other genres. She began playing the piano at age 3 and gradually learned other instruments including the bass, drums and most notably, the guitar. Mckeown’s music has been featured on television shows including Dawson’s Creek and Nip/Tuck, as well as the feature film Uptown Girls. Her third and latest full-length album, Grand, released in 2003, is praised for being a stylistic blend of Randy Newman, Bjork, Liz Phair and Elvis Costello. “Few would dare perform on solo electric guitar backed only by a drummer. But her playing was so muscular, her arrangements so well conceived that she succeeded brilliantly. As with all truly great guitarists, the wonder was less in her chops than in her choices,” said Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe. Lauded for her musical talents, McKeown entered Brown University intending to study biology. However, she graduated with a degree in musical theatre. She started playing in a cover band during high school and throughout college played at local open mikes. McKeown’s debut album, Distillation, has awarded her top honors in arts and entertainment publication The Providence Phoenix’s music poll for Best Folk Artist of 2000. She also received a Boston Music Award nomination for outstanding new singer/songwriter. The performance, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Women’s History Month Committee, SU Gender Studies Interest Group, Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, the Marilyn C. Seidel school of Education and Professional Studies, The Office of the Provost, Blackwell Library and the Office of Cultural of Affairs and Museum Programs. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.