By Kate Bartlett
Those familiar with the Ellicottville music scene likely know the name Pat Harrington and have probably heard him play with Owen Eichensehr (Duo Band) or both Owen and Paul Yates (Trio Band). Pat is the lead guitarist for the Grammy Nominated and Multi-Blues Music Award winning band, Victor Wainwright & The Train. While Pat has been touring internationally for almost 8 years, whenever he is in town, he enjoys playing ‘the local spots.’ The Pat Harrington Trio will be playing this Friday, January 19, 6:30pm during Ellicottville’s Winter Blues Weekend at Balloon’s Restaurant & Nightclub.
Growing up in Gasport, NY, Pat started playing guitar at age 13 when he “got bit by the music bug,” as he explains. “I just decided to pick up the guitar, tried playing, and became somewhat obsessed.” With some background playing piano, Pat understood the basics of music, but he began taking lessons and got hooked. “I took private lessons but I would experiment and practice almost non-stop. I’d artistically dissect some of my favorite songs, playing by ear and learning the music. I was really inspired by southern rock and soul music, which was my gateway into blues and other styles eventually.”
Pat dove into his music and studied Blues, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Country, Americana…anything that inspired him. “I had, and still have, a diverse appreciation for music of all kinds. When I first started, I’d listen to The Allman Brothers Band for hours and taught myself to play their music by ear, picking apart the Duane Allman and Dickey Betts guitar parts. I gained a good foundation of music theory from my lessons with teacher Eric Koch. I always knew I just wanted to play music; it was always in the back of my mind no matter what I did.”
Pat started playing professional ‘gigs’ at age 17, and continued to play on weekends while he studied Music Business at SUNY Fredonia. Throughout high school and college, he would travel all throughout WNY and elsewhere to hear his favorite bands, including The Allman Brothers and The Derek Trucks Band. “My parents were very supportive of my love for music. Even though they’re not musicians, they exposed me to as much music as possible and they’ve always supported my endeavors.”
Throughout his journey playing in bars and going to concerts, he began to network and make connections in the music industry and forged relationships with many musicians. “I was fortunate to meet many of my musical idols, including Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers and Andy Aledort (Dickey Betts & Great Southern). These relationships were very important to me and served as pivotal in my musical career. Andy became an early mentor, and as a Senior Editor for Guitar World Magazine, he was a big hero to me and helped me along early in my career.”
Pat continued to make connections and was granted valuable opportunities to play with some of his major influencers, including Bobby Whitlock (Derek & The Dominos), Gary Clark Jr. and Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman). “I just tried to absorb as much as I could from these amazing artists. A major career highlight for me was meeting and playing with Bobby Whitlock, as he played with Eric Clapton, a classic rock/blues legend. Their album ‘Layla’ had been a favorite and was very meaningful to me. I even have the cover art tattooed on my back.”
In 2016, Pat was invited to join Victor Wainwright & The Train as their lead guitarist. “My audition was on stage in Daytona Beach, Florida in front of a few thousand people. No pressure! They asked me to join the band under one condition – that I move to Memphis, Tennessee.” Pat packed his bags and moved with his girlfriend (now wife) Lydia to begin the next chapter in his career.
Today, 8 years later, Pat lives in Canandaigua, NY and is still touring internationally with Victor Wainwright & The Train, playing many nights per year in cities all over the world. Whenever he’s off the road, Pat enjoys playing regionally throughout Western New York and The Finger Lakes, including Balloons in Ellicottville, in various projects such as The Pat and Owen Duo or The Pat Harrington Trio (both of which also feature his long-time friend and collaborator Owen Eichensehr on guitar/vocals and drums. “I love playing with The Train, it’s exhilarating; but it’s great to be able to explore my own projects as an artistic outlet.”
No matter what, Pat loves performing. “It’s my happy place. I’m in the zone when I’m on stage connecting with my fellow musicians. The rest of the world fades away. I always consider the audience when I play, and I hope I can transport them with me to a place where they can forget the rest of the world and we can just jam and vibe together.”
Pat is grateful everyday for the Grammy Nomination for Victor Wainwright & The Train in 2019. “It was such an incredible experience and such an honor to be nominated. Being at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles was a surreal experience; it honestly felt like a dream. Even though we didn’t win, we still celebrated the nomination.”
Pat encourages aspiring artists to stay true to their passion and be persistent. “If you really want it, don’t give up. If you have the bug, keep it, hold onto it and follow your passion. Work hard on your craft. Believe in yourself and keep on pushing.”
Pat also has a passion for teaching, and teaches guitar lessons, both online and in person.
For more information visit https://pat-harrington.com/ and check The Villager events calendar https://thevillagerny.com/new-events-calendar/ for upcoming shows. Pat is looking forward to playing with the Trio at the Ellicottville Blues Festival on January 19th, 6;30pm at Balloons Restaurant & Nightclub.
Continuation large caption: Throughout his journey playing in bars and going to concerts, he began to network and make connections in the music industry and forged relationships with many musicians. “I was fortunate to meet many of my musical idols, including Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers and Andy Aledort (Dickey Betts & Great Southern). These relationships were very important to me and served as pivotal in my musical career. Andy became an early mentor, and as a Senior Editor for Guitar World Magazine, he was a big hero to me and helped me along early in my career.”