MEAN MARY is known internationally for her lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate story songs. She is an award-winning musician/writer and fan favorite (over 9 million views on her YouTube videos). Deering Banjo’s named her their Goodtime Ambassador, and Janet Deering describes her banjo playing as giving her “chills. Her latest album is titled ‘Blazing’
LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS have a vision for their band’s sound: bold and elegant, schooled in the lyrical rituals of folk music and backed by grooves that alternately inspire Cajun two-stepping and rock-n-roll hip swagger. Cellist Valerie Thompson (cello/vox), fiddler Jenna Moynihan (fiddle/vox), and bassist Natalie Bohrn (bass/vox) pair their sophisticated string arrangements and rich vocal harmonies to band leader Laura Cortese’s poignant and powerful singing. The new record ‘California Calling’ on Compass Records has a wide emotional and sonic scope.