nealonsongs

An acoustic roots musician living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Nealon is influenced by Celtic and old-time stringbands, country blues players like John Jackson, and songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Pierce Pettis, and Dylan, and inspired by the woods and the river.

Book me for your festival, outdoor venue, or listening room, school, or coffeehouse. Solo, with my buddy Mark as Case Studies, or in an acoustic band, audiences in Virginia and North Carolina enjoy our folksome textures, tight harmonies, and eclectic acoustic energy.

booking@nealonsongs.com

Need lessons on guitar, banjo, or mandolin?  lessons@nealonsongs.com

Rather than tell you my life story, here are some associations. Maybe a dim history will emerge from them.

1962 in Washington, DC

5th of 6 siblings, 3rd generation Irish heritage, raised in McLean, VA

St. John's Elementary, O'Connell High School, University of Virginia anthropology, University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) English (Curriculum in Folklore)

Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association

Track

Musical partners: St. Luke's Folk Group, Bob Nealon, Annie Sirotniak, Patty Lebherz, Pat Reynolds, 17th Street Electric Gospel Band, Purple Heart, Beth Nealon, Alan Leader and Tom Hinds, Your Contemporary Ancestors, Eric Heinsohn, Case Studies, The Foddershocks

Jobs: Tech writer at Rosetta Stone, Education Director at Shellbook, Director of Operations at Boys and Girls Clubs, Executive Director of Camp Horizons, elementary school teacher

Married to Beth, an excellent clogger who sings and plays keyboards, guitar, and percussion. Three daughters.

Music teachers:  Bob Nealon, Tom Ahearne, Tom Arrowsmith, Cindy Swiatlowski, Gene Mills, Doug Day, Bill Evans, Pat Reynolds, Abe Horton, Bob Carlin, Will Les

More influences: Dylan, Cockburn, Pettis, Arlo and Pete, Makem and Clancy, Bothy Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band