Bob McCarthy

A professional musician since age 15, Bob McCarthy is a songwriter, composer, guitarist, mandolinist and vocalist who, during the early part of his career in New York City, performed at Gerde’s Folk City, Cafe Wha? and other coffeehouses. He became a regular presence on the Boston/Cambridge scene in the late 1960s and early ’70s, earning raves from Variety and other prominent publications.

In 1972, his production/publishing company, Wandra Music, released his debut album, Advice & Company. This LP was produced by McCarthy, Andy Pratt and his manager, Ray Paret of Amphion, recorded at Aengus Studios and engineered by Bill Riseman and Jesse Henderson. Advice & Company features McCarthy on vocals and acoustic and electric guitar, Pratt on piano and vocals, Abraham Laboriel and David Saltman on bass, Rick Shlosser on drums, Bill Elliott on piano, Gene Rosov on cello and Robin Batteau on violin.

McCarthy has shared the stage an expansive variety of artists including Jefferson Airplane’s Jorma Kaukonen, Bonnie Raitt, The Everly Brothers, Neil Young, Taj Mahal, Alex Taylor, Livingston Taylor, James Montgomery, Mountain, The Youngbloods, Jim Kweskin and Mimi Farina. In 1971, while playing guitar with Compton & Batteau, he appeared at a concert in Washington, DC with The Beach Boys, Charlie Mingus, Jonathan Edwards and Linda Ronstadt. McCarthy has cut four solo albums and he continues to perform as guitarist- mandolinist both live and as a studio musician.

(by Laurie McDonald and Stephen Haag)