Acoustic Archery as an evening of stellar acoustic music was originally thought about in 2007 by friends, Kevin and Eric. As a talent agent and artist manager, respectively, they regularly swapped business ideas that revolved around their love of music. One of which was as an abstract idea more along the lines of: "What if three phenomenal acoustic virtuosos - guitarists, violinists, cellists, balalaikists, banjo players, ukelelists, sitar players - basically a virtuoso acoustic whatever - were given a chance to shine in front of a theater crowd on an ongoing worldwide tour? Further, instead of relying upon recital pieces or pop song cover tunes - What if... the artist's were to draw almost exclusively upon their own instrumental compositions - with a few known pop favorites thrown in as the artist desires?" They both knew that it held a lot of potential but that it was an idea that needed some time to take shape.
Over a period of many months, the idea began to gain traction and by early winter 2008, Kevin and Eric sought to have it take the following form: "...that it should begin in the United States with some of the most acclaimed acoustic musicians and who also happened to fit the criteria of world class entertainers and performers, before moving on to international markets." As such, Kevin thought that two of Eric's clients, Billy McLaughlin & Andy McKee, would be a great starting point for Acoustic Archery's performing talent base, as well as, lend demonstrated credibility on a long term partnership basis if they were to take on permanent primary creative roles for the event now known informally as A3. Andy and Billy quickly agreed to broaden and enrich A3 so that it would be an absolutely spectacular evening of live entertainment. With this intense creative energy brought to the fore, things started coming into immediate focus and a short run of dates in the early fall of '08 was planned and booked in Midwestern US markets.