Singer/songwriter Ethan Bessey has been entertaining audiences for years with his rich voice and poetic songwriting. From coffeehouses in New Hampshire and Massachusetts to the clubs, bars, and music halls throughout the Northeast, Bessey has covered a lot of ground gaining exposure and creating a following wherever he goes.
Bessey was voted "Male Artist of the Year 2000" and "Artist of the Year: Folk" by the readers of New Hampshire's Jam Music Magazine for his CD "Bullwhips & Handshakes" (2000). It has been heralded as one of the regions best CDs, and critics, club owners, and musicians continue to praise Bessey both for his songwriting and his vocal talents.
Stylistically, Bessey takes a bit of John Prine, a touch of Greg Brown, and a dash of country rocker Steve Earle to create a modern songwriting style that is fresh and new yet steeped in American Roots Music. The songs come from the heart (most of them are true stories) and his voice delivers the lyrics in a captivating and touching way. Bessey's abilities on the guitar range from sweet finger-picking, to driving R&B, to Keller Williams-esque looping for a percussive dance-beat feel.
Ethan Bessey has four CDs under his belt: two with former bandmates Dreadnaught (1998, 2000) and two solo (1996, 2000). He is back in the studio now recording for a new album due out Fall of 2002.
In addition to his own recorded work, Bessey produced a compilation CD, "Voices for Children" in the Spring of 2002". The brainchild of Bessey and girlfriend Emily Gross, "Voices for Children" is a collection of thirteen songs from some of the best songwriters the Portsmouth, NH area has to offer. The CD is a fund raiser for the non-profit group Prevent Child Abuse NH. Bessey organized the recording sessions, raised enough money to pay for the CDs (with the help of Gross), and put on a CD release concert, all to raise money for PCANH.
For lyrics and more information, visit www.bullwhipsandhandshakes.com or write to edbessey@northlandforest.com
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