Andrew McNeill

Andrew McNeill is a Memphis-born studio/touring drummer.

He is a product of the Stax Music Academy in Memphis, as well as Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

Playing since the age of 7, McNeill’s musical growth and eventual career began blossoming very early on. His older brother is also a musician who introduced him to the world of music as soon as he was old enough to walk. Andrew began studying music in the public schools he attended, and performed his first gigs during his middle school years. McNeill’s drumming was heavily influenced growing up playing in the church, as well as the rich musical culture and scene surrounding him in Memphis.

The biggest leap in his growth came as he joined the Stax Music Academy, as well as meeting and befriending the great Steve Jordan. Jordan gave Andrew many pieces of advice, encouragement, and drumming pointers early on.

As a student and alumnus of the Stax Music Academy, Andrew was able to share performances with Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, David Bryan(Bon Jovi), Beverley Knight, Victor Wooten, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Rance Allen, William Bell, George Clinton, Sam Moore, and Kirk Whalum.

Following his time in high school and attending the Stax Academy, McNeill took his learning to Boston, MA where he attended Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition scholarship in 2013. During his time at Berklee, Andrew studied with distinguished drummers like Kenwood Dennard and Dave Weigert. He even got the opportunity to sit in with legendary bassist Victor Wooten for a second time. After spending a year and a half stint at Berklee, Andrew started receiving calls to go on tour and wanted to further pursue his career. He knew it was time to head back home to Memphis.

McNeill continues his professional career today back in Memphis, where he is based.

He has toured all over the US, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and Dominican Republic. Some of his performing highlights include the Beale Street Music Festival(US), Montreal Jazz Festival(CA), Lucerne Blues Festival(Switzerland) Moon River Festival(US), Big Blues Bender(US), Kitchener Blues Festival(CA),  Donnacona Blues Festival(CA), Trois-Rivieres Blues Festival(CA), and the Grolsch Blues Festival(GERMANY), and more. He has played as opening act for artists such as Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph, and Buddy Guy.

His list of performing/recording credits include artists like Bruce Sudano, Buddy Guy, Luther Dickinson, Graham Lesh, Allison Russell, Daryl Hance(JJ Grey & Mofro), Deborah Manning, Dale Watson, John Nemeth, Vanessa Collier, Charles Billingsley (Newsong), Alexis Jade, Lily Brooks O’Briant, Chris Milam, Eric Shenkman (Spin Doctors), Duwayne Burnside, Kenny Brown, Garry Burnside, Ghost Town Blues Band, Keeshea Pratt, Albert Castiglia, Tony Holiday and The Soul Service, Paul Taylor, Victor Wainwright, JD Taylor, Paul Deslauriers, Anikka Chambers, Todd Agnew, Max Kaplan, Low Society, Faith Evans Ruch, Mighty Souls Brass Band, Drew Erwin, McKenna Bray, Reed Turchi and The Caterwauls, Will Tucker, Logan Magness, Art Edmaiston, Logan Hanna, The Last, the Blue Silk Band, Finding Philadelphia, Skylar Gregg, Shannon Labrie, Cait Brennan, Fernando Perdomo, Eleanor Tallie, Wind vs. Sun, Other Stories, Sarah Messias, The McNeill Brothers, and his own band McNeill’s POCKET FUNK.

McNeill also worked for three years as an assistant engineer/musician at the iconic Ardent Studios, having worked with artists such as Wilco, Switchfoot, Yo Gotti, Young Dolph, Those Pretty Wrongs, Jerry Lawler, and Todd Agnew. 

Andrew is endorsed by Bosphorus Cymbals out of Istanbul, Turkey, and is a voting member of the Memphis Grammy Chapter of the Recording Academy