Instagram story viewer> @isaac.mccarthy> Posts

Isaac McCarthy

@isaac.mccarthy

1.7K

followers

1473

following

Rambler | Caller | Banjo(er)
Ph.D Student @ohiostateschoolofmusic
“Everywhere You Were” Out NOW!

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

This was the most Morgantown event I’ve ever been witness to. Kudos to @roesalow & @marylinscheidmusic for organizing this and to @fiddlegray for programming it with me. Here’s to the next!!! by @isaac.mccarthy

108

5

8 days ago

Had a great time playing with @themightytroubz this past weekend @thesummitmusichall. Super cool to open for @mcguffeylane and to share the stage with some talented folks.

Semester is nearly over… Excited to get some more picking like this in my life! by @isaac.mccarthy

58

2

6 months ago

My debut EP, Everywhere You Were, is available now. I hope you enjoy these tunes and songs; I have had the time of my life putting them together for you all. Link in Bio to purchase on Bandcamp or stream on your preferred platform.

We’ll be celebrating TODAY, May 9th @123pleasant with @thebearessentialstrio, @sweatyhandstringband, and @prewitt_michael. Come on out!!
—
This project was the result of a year long effort, and has served as my Senior Capstone for my Bachelor of Arts in Music (Minor in Appalachian Music) at WVU. I absolutely could not have done this without the great, kind, and patient team that graciously agreed to lend their time to this project. Additionally, @wvuhonors, @wvufoundation, @wvuresearch, and @launchlabwvu have been instrumental in making this project happen and are doing great things at the university. To each of you, know my sincerest gratitude.

—

Personnel:
@masonatha, Bass (Tracks 1,2,5) and Guitar (Track 3)
@alexheflin, Tenor Guitar (Tracks 1,2,5)
@nikokreider, Cello (Tracks 1,2,5)
@marylinscheidmusic, Fiddle (Tracks 1.5), Guitar (Track 2)
Isaac McCarthy, 3-Finger Banjo (Tracks 1,2,3,5), Vocals (Tracks 2,4), Guitar (Track 4)
John Posey, Mandola (Track 1), Mandolin (Tracks 2,5)
@silverbagels, Fiddle (Tracks 1,2,3,5), Harmony Vocals (Track 2)

Recorded by @joshswigerwv at Blues Alley Studios in Morgantown, WV.
Mixed and Mastered by Alex Heflin at @hatfullofrainrecords in Morgantown, WV.
Album Photography by @scattered__thoughts.

All Tunes and Songs Written by Isaac McCarthy. taken in Coopers Rock State Forest by @isaac.mccarthy

235

19

a year ago

getting into gear for the techno square dance at @123pleasant

oct 10, 8pm, $10 | creative costumes welcome

#morgantownwv #morgantownmusic #squaredance taken in 123 Pleasant Street by @isaac.mccarthy

157

8

18 days ago

I’ve never wanted to be something more than I have a dance caller. With that in mind, I get excited when I’m on the mic. Here’s some shenanigans from @oldtime_huntington’s dance. taken in Huntington, West Virginia by @isaac.mccarthy

69

6

a month ago

Consider this an end-of-summer post: Officially landed in Columbus last week & immediately got hit with a whirlwind (and tornado) of things to do. Feeling super grateful for all of the summer activities I’ve been able to be a part of; missing my WV/KY people already. School starts here soon & looking forward to the challenges it will bring.

Thanks to Simon for asking me to sit in at Ratfest-playing with these guys is always a hoot. (Even after we lose power-event kept going! Kudos to @ratmotel)

Up next: OSU Stringband picks back up starting on the 27th (still time to register, DM me)! by @isaac.mccarthy

44

2

2 months ago

when you do what you love (Clifftop 2026) by @isaac.mccarthy

143

5

2 months ago

I feel reborn. Serving as the Programming Director for Camp Bluegrass Pride has been an honor; it has been a joy to work with a team so profoundly amazing that I struggle to place words to it.

Each moment of this experience was truly life-changing. Seeing events (all of which had only existed as late-night ideas and spreadsheet cells not 48 hours prior) come into vibrant being made my heart sing with joy.

Each and every person who attended this event truly witnessed something unique. For that, and for their belief in this cause, our mission, and my programming, I will be forever grateful.

Thank you @bluegrasspride for existing. Thank you to our all-volunteer staff. Thank you to every person who stopped jamming to share chord letters, shapes and numbers without disdain. Thank you to a team which let me full send everyone into a whirlwind, and thank you to attendants who were honest enough to cry.

Thank you to those who taught me stringband music. Thank you to the queer teenager, struggling in a West Virginian holler, for never giving up.

Here’s to next year. by @isaac.mccarthy

132

5

4 months ago

I had to down tune my banjo for safety when I flew, and so when I woke up in Portland today, I had a wonderfully settled E tuning going on. I’m reflecting today, having gazed over the wonderful landscape on the plane, of how lucky I am to be alive & how amazing this Big Country is. Given that, here’s a quick version of big country that popped out. One take, didn’t listen back. I think the feeling was there when I played it.

To camp @bluegrasspride today! Organizer hat: on. by @isaac.mccarthy

115

11

4 months ago

BEST OF STRINGBAND JAN-JUNE 2026:

Trying something different this time with my annual review/roundup video: I’ve been hosting a weekly radio session for @wmmt88.7fm as part of my @appalshop internship. This week’s theme was Best of 2026 Stringband & I figured I may as well turn it into a video. I LOVE all this music - come check out my show (Currently scheduled next for July 2nd at 7pm EST @ WMMT.org), which will not always be this much Stringband.

Artists in Order:
@bigcricketstringband - Cricket or Ticket | Tergle’s Tune
@prewitt_michael - Monarch Sessions | Dark Clouds on the Cumberland
@sandhillstrangers - Five Month Winter | The Quarryman
@thelittlemercies - Self Titled EP | Rain and Snow
@thewildshoats - Great American Novel | Cascades
@grantflickmusic - The Great Door | Premonitions
@odomann - Linen of Words | Dolly It’s Fine
@georgefiddle - Center of the Universe | Humphrey’s Jig
@jarrodwalker - Nighthawk | Cordova Street Blues
@new_valley_string_band - Of Tales and Lies | Hell and Scissors
@hanread - The Secret World of Fungi Vol. 2 | Hyphadance
@appelmando - Where We Go | Valley Springs
Benny Bleu - When I am a Fossil | I’ve Endured
@bellawhitemusic - A Sign in the Weather | Without Making a Sound
@blindhouseband - Self Titled | Five Miles From Town
@vandalia.band - Self Titled | Yesterday’s News by @isaac.mccarthy

96

15

4 months ago

@helvetiahoot into wedding = low voice in the morning. good thing @jmanlam3434 has a nice low banjo ready when you wake up in Morgantown. life is very busy these days but enjoying being alive. hope you all enjoy the only take of this by @isaac.mccarthy

71

11

5 months ago

life update: falling in love with columbus by @isaac.mccarthy

103

12

5 months ago