About Michael

Michael Francis McCarthy: an American roots bard

About Michael Francis McCarthy

Michael Francis McCarthy is a 38 year old American roots musician. Born in South America and raised in rural New Hampshire, McCarthy developed a love for music through indigenous Bolivian folklore as a child. Over the last 35 years he has explored the many branches of the greater pan-American roots music family tree which all run back to one trunk, drawing from roots that hold together the soil upon which we all tread. McCarthy has performed roughly two thousand concerts in numerous states and several countries, been featured on radio and television, played for homeless on the streets of many American cities, competed in two International Blues Challenges in Memphis TN (2014 quarter-finalist, 2016 semi-finalist) and was recently nominated for an Eddie Award for Americana Musician Of The Year. Traveling by van, truck, bus, train and even on foot McCarthy performs roughly 100 shows annually between upstate New York and Virginia. 2023 has seen the release of his latest album, “Check Engine” (available exclusively through bandcamp) and an exciting return to the stages of the southeastern US. With another album coming out next year, a slew of bookings across the eastern seaboard, several side projects and an uncompromising commitment to delivering honest music to the people, Michael Francis McCarthy is an authentic American roots music troubador not to be missed.