Allen Damron | Barry Fitzgerald | Andrew McKnight | Mary Ann Rossoni |
Allen Wayne Damron
is a "Texas Legend" and well-known for his prowess as singer and storyteller.
His vast repertoire of folk, maritime, humorous, historical, Irish , Spanish,
Texan, Indian, cowboy and children's songs can "transport his listeners
across great distances in time and space. He promotes an understanding
of cultural diversity with hilarious and sad emotional interpretations
that ring true." With guitar, banjo, autoharp and Indian flute, Allen
is "a clown psychiatrist reminding us to keep our perspective."
One of Barry's songs, "Uncle Sam Would Be Ashamed," has been heard around
the world on NPR and played a part in deflected Wal-Mart's impact on Stafford
a half mile to the east of Ferry Farm, Wal-Mart's initial target.
His topics range from lost love ("As Cold as Your Damn Lawyer's Heart),
aging country singers, and baseball to dead elephants ("The Day They
Hanged Mary the Elephant"). His Fredericksburg audiences have come
to appreciate his direct performing style and eagerly seek out his performances.
Sometimes an emcee at the Fredericksburg Showcase, he makes his third showcase
performance this month.
Falling Mountain Music recording artist Andrew
McKnight is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and poet
from the Blue Ridge foothills and Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
His debut CD Traveler (FM-1013), now in its second pressing, has received
critical acclaim and radio airplay nationwide. Featuring his vivid
imagery, evocative guitar work, and songs that draw out the extraordinary
details in ordinary things in people and places from Appalachia to the
rural West, Traveler has put Andrew on the map and on the road.
Andrew's dynamic and literate style frequently invokes comparisons with
Americana artists like John Mellencamp, Pierce Pettis, and Ricky Skaggs.
He weaves threads of spirituality, optimism and imagery with a homegrown
understanding of rural America into a diverse musical fabric brightly colored
by many styles and influences. Truly an engaging performer and a
captivating persona, Andrew is quickly finding his way into venues
and CD collections all across America.
Mary Ann Rossini was born and raised in Johnston, Rhode Island, and despite the town's "wide hair and gold chain" reputation, she is proud of it. Though disco was the music that prevailed on the airways and in the dance halls of her youth, she managed to survive with a good set of headphones and her Joni Mitchell and James Taylor collections.
Having graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in illustration, she has spent most of her adult life as a freelance artist and musician with jobs as a waitress, bartender, housekeeper, restaurant manager, house painter and real estate agent (to name a few) to supplement her income. All the while, songwriting has remained her real passion.
Second Story proudly celebrates the release of Mary Ann's fourth (first solo) recording, half slips & garters. This cd features nine new songs as well as re-recordings of two of her most popular songs from previous releases.
She has performed for the past 8 years with the Fuzek-Rossoni and Anonymous duos, and founded the traveling entourage of Women on the Verge. In early 1995, Mary Arm embarked on a solo career, bringing her smokey voice - compared to everyone from Grace Slick (Dirty Linen) to Christine McVie (Sing Out!) and fluid guitar work to audiences throughout the U.S.
Her CD, "half slips & garters," is an eclectic blend of contemporary country folk blues that reflects with sincerity and wit an artist's view, both serious and whimsical, of life around her.
What's up next --
The October Showcase (October 24) features Armor and Sturtevant from Erie, PA, and our own Laurie Rose Griffith and Peter Mealy. This show is a must-see.
For more information call (540) 898-0611 or send e-mail to Bob Gramann at bobgramann@interserf.net.
Bob Gramman
122 Laurel Avenue
Fredericksburg VA 22408
Send rants/rave to above mentioned Ackermann at ernie@mwc.edu
FROM the fortune list ...
Life is a flower of which love is the honey.