Bob McKillop
In April of 2008, Bob McKillop released his debut CD, "Portland Afternoon", an EP disc that brings six of Bob's original songs into sharp focus.
Bob grafts the humor and good nature of Roger Miller onto the sincerity and spirituality of John Denver; he nurtures the resulting musical seedlings with a little Maybelle Carter, Johnny Cash, and Carole King, and then lets them grow into the catalog of acoustic folk and traditional country songs that he’s been working on over the past fifteen years.
Bob writes well-structured lyrics with memorable hooks, layered on melodies that get under your skin; songs about the places we live in, the people we love, and the secrets we struggle with in becoming who we really are. Some songs are funny; others are poignant, a few are dark – but they usually have some type of redemptive or humorous twist that surprises his audience.
Bob began playing his tunes at open mics in Massachusetts in the late 1990’s. After moving to Portland, Maine in late 2003, his development as a songwriter and a performer accelerated significantly, thanks to the supportive musical community in southern Maine. Bob especially credits the Maine Songwriter’s Association with helping him move his songwriting work into focus in his life.
Alan Dickson is Bob’s close friend and musical partner, and Bob and Alan gig as “McKillop and Dickson” in many venues all over Portland and the surrounding region. July 2008 will mark the duo’s third year as performers at the Yarmouth Clam Festival.
Bob is passionate about songwriting and songwriters. “I see so much talent here in Maine, but these folks are creating this great music in the margins of their lives. I would love to help bring the music industry to Maine, and let these talented songwriters find a way to make a living at what they do best.”
Toward this end, Bob launched a folk music web page, MaineFolkMusic.com, which includes news, reviews, and profiles of local Maine folk songwriters and artists, plus regional and national folk luminaries.
Look for Bob at a local venue, either as a solo performer, or with Alan Dickson, and enjoy the down-to-earth, good-natured, and sincere songwriting that his fans have come to love.