Biography

El McMeen is an internationally acclaimed acoustic guitar player, who hails from central PA. El has been listed among the "100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists”: (https://tinyurl.com/Top-Guitarists) Two of his guitar compositions (“Le Mans” and “Song for Sheila”) have been listed among the "100 Greatest Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals": www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_songs-acoustic.html His composition and performance of “Le Mans” won First Prize (Instrumental) in the 6th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards contest in 2009. El has written many books of guitar pieces, including several major folios written or co-written for Mel Bay Publications. He has also recorded three DVD lessons, and a performance DVD, for Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop (www.guitarvideos.com). While he plays many styles, El's music is characterized by lyrical beauty and a sensitivity to melodic phrases enhanced with tasteful arpeggios, cross-picking, and walking bass lines. His uptempo pieces evidence energy and pulse. His artistry has been praised by numerous publications, including Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and Guitar Player Magazine. El's music has been hailed by critics as "stirring ... unbridled acoustic beauty" and "drop-dead gorgeous" (Guitar Player Magazine) and as a "treasure" (Dirty Linen Magazine). When El isn’t playing guitar, he is involved in Christian ministry work and outreach. His website is www.elmcmeen.com.