Pete McDonough has been studying, performing and writing about American roots music for 50 years. His performances present a journey through all forms of Americana as well as Piedmont blues, Delta blues and styles associated with such greats as Rev. Gary Davis, Etta Baker, Bo Carter, Mississippi John Hurt and others.
His interest in American roots music began in the 1960s while listening to the magnificent collection of 78 rpm records and Smithsonian and Folkways LPs.
Pete's most significant influence is Woody Mann, a former student of Rev. Gary Davis and of jazz legend Lenny Tristano, who he met in the mid-1970s.
Woody shared his remarkable technique, knowledge and insight and into music, and so much more, with Pete. They remained close friends for more than 45 years until Woody's passing in 2022.
Pete’s recent projects include contributing to the production of Harlem Street Singer, the award winning documentary film about the life and music of Rev. Gary Davis by Woody Mann and Trevor Laurence, writing biographies of two-dozen acoustic blues artists for the Complete Acoustic Blues Guitar Method, the 2024 release of An Autumn Afternoon, a 9-track CD on Huckleberry Music, and the release of Fat in Paris and Other People’s Blues, a 12-track CD on Huckleberry Music.
He regularly appears in venues and at festivals in the tri-state area and has opened for such musical legends as John Hartford, Vassar Clements, Honeyboy Edwards, Happy Traum, Odetta, Chris Smither and others. Pete lives in the Hopewell Valley in New Jersey.