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In the News

Closer Inspection: Playing solo

You don’t see too many guys wearing a get-up like Peter McCory’s these days, but keep an eye out at malls and outdoor festivals in Northern Virginia, and you might see him playing to the beat of his own drum. — Rachel Kaufman

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More than a decade ago, McCory, 53, of Warrenton, was working in public relations at a hospital and playing guitar on the side when his boss asked him to perform for kids at a health and safety festival. Seeing their faces, McCory realized: “This is the audience I’ve been looking for my whole life.... The kids thought I was cool. I felt like a rock star.” He eventually quit his day job to perform full time.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

McCory’s tenor banjo, which he sometimes uses instead of a guitar, dates from 1924. He bought it on eBay and restored it. He also plays harmonica, drums and kazoo — just to name a few instruments — and sings. In addition to performing children’s classics, he also writes his own songs for kids.

McCory’s tenor banjo, which he sometimes uses instead of a guitar, dates from 1924. He bought it on eBay and restored it. He also plays harmonica, drums and kazoo — just to name a few instruments — and sings. In addition to performing children’s classics, he also writes his own songs for kids.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

McCory’s stand-up rig — featuring percussion instruments, various whistles, harmonica and guitar — weighs about 30 pounds, but he generally uses a seated rig (which has about 10 instruments) to save his back.

McCory’s stand-up rig — featuring percussion instruments, various whistles, harmonica and guitar — weighs about 30 pounds, but he generally uses a seated rig (which has about 10 instruments) to save his back.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

McCory modified a tom-tom to make the snare on the back of the rig, saving a few pounds, he said.

McCory modified a tom-tom to make the snare on the back of the rig, saving a few pounds, he said.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The bass drum and high-hat are controlled by straps hooked to custom-made stirrups that McCory wears over his socks. Result: Every step he takes comes with a sound effect. “Going up stairs is a real drag,” he says. The hat is also an important part of McCory’s gear. “Some people think you have to look like Bert from ‘Mary Poppins,’ or you’re not a real one-man band,” he says.

The bass drum and high-hat are controlled by straps hooked to custom-made stirrups that McCory wears over his socks. Result: Every step he takes comes with a sound effect. “Going up stairs is a real drag,” he says. The hat is also an important part of McCory’s gear. “Some people think you have to look like Bert from ‘Mary Poppins,’ or you’re not a real one-man band,” he says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

McCory builds most of his equipment from salvaged parts, including this harmonica brace, which he built in his teens, “because I wanted to play the guitar and harmonica like Bob Dylan.”

McCory builds most of his equipment from salvaged parts, including this harmonica brace, which he built in his teens, “because I wanted to play the guitar and harmonica like Bob Dylan.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

A co-worker gave McCory a plush iguana, named Ziggy, when he left the hospital. “She said, ‘If you’re going to be in the kids’ music business, you’re going to need a friend.’” McCory’s unofficial mascot also serves as a drum mute.

A co-worker gave McCory a plush iguana, named Ziggy, when he left the hospital. “She said, ‘If you’re going to be in the kids’ music business, you’re going to need a friend.’” McCory’s unofficial mascot also serves as a drum mute.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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