Album Notes

Bryan Field McFarland clearly recalls his first guitar lesson because "there was all this media frenzy around the rumor that Paul McCartney was dead. We watched the news coverage instead of having a lesson." And while that brief interruption didn't hinder Field from becoming a great guitarist, it likely propelled him in a unique direction as a songwriter. His tunes are fueled by mystery, spirituality, pop culture and all things human.

"All Around Me" is Bryan's first, self-produced CD spanning a songwriting career which began for him at age thirteen.

McFarland's calculated vocals draw comparisons to some of his contemporary influences: James Taylor, Bruce Cockburn and David Wilcox while his precisely-picked guitar work owes more to an experience he had as a three-year-old. "At my first concert, I was mesmerized by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins." Though it seems his songwriting seeds were sewn as a child, it took a bachelor's degree in English Literature, a master's in Divinity and a career as a pastor and campus minister to send him in the direction he's headed these days.

The Greensboro, NC troubadour combines Celtic Spirituality and emotional storytelling into a style that is both sentimental and lighthearted. Bryan tours the country's listening rooms, theaters and coffeehouses - leads workshops in Celtic Spirituality and Creativity at colleges/universities, churches and private venues. He also provides artist/minister-in-residence programs in schools and colleges and offers services as a contemporary worship consultant.

Bryan lives in Greensboro, NC with his wife Diane, their daughter Meagan, two dogs and a cat.