When Rhyne McCormick first played Parker's Grille and Tap House in 2002, he also waited tables at the restaurant.

Now the central Pennsylvania-based singer/songwriter revisits central New York every few weeks to perform a mix of original music and covers. In bar settings, McCormick makes his catalogue available to audiences for requests. Much of the material he covers falls in the realm of Neil Young, John Mayer, Edwin McCain and older blues.

“I'm background music to make people who are having supper or having a drink stick around,” he said.

The songs McCormick writes - which he favors in more performance-centric settings like auditoriums and concert halls - often deal in “typical male/female relationship-type stuff,” he said.

McCormick added, “And a lot of it ends up being situations I hear about. I overhear people talking about losing their jobs or having a kid.”

For McCormick, the latter subject became a personal reality in December when he welcomed his son, Tabyn, into the world. Fatherhood has tightened McCormick's tour schedule from the mid-Atlantic region to no further than Auburn, where he used to play as often as four nights a week.

Since 1997, when McCormick committed to music full-time, he has released four albums of original material. Though his newest responsibility has reined in his music career, McCormick still keeps his schedule steady.

“I make my living as an acoustic solo guy,” he said.

David Wilcox

253-5311 ext. 245

david.wilcox@lee.net