Insider Sessions
Mary McAdams
Blend of Folk, Americana, Blues
Girl Next Door
Trap Door
Interview
Photograph by Stan Brewer
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ARTIST INFORMATION
Mary was a Regional Finalist in the Mountain Stage “NewSong” songwriting contest in August 2010 and won 2nd place in the 14th Annual Susanne Millsaps Songwriter Showcase at the Snowbird Mountain Music Festival in July 2010. She was a Regional finalist in the Lilith Fair Local Talent Search in July 2010 and was a Finalist in the Big Top Chautauqua Songwriting Contest in Bayfield, WI in August 2010. Mary is a Des Moines-based singer, songwriter and educator. Her music is a mix of folk and Americana blended with the blues. She performs at Music Festivals, Art Festivals, coffeehouses, community groups and schools. Mary performed at an Official Showcase for the 2010 Sundance Film Festival with the 2010 Access Film-Music Showcase in Park City, UT. In late 2009 she showcased at the Crossroads Entertainment Conference in Des Moines, IA. She was a finalist in the Minnesota Folk Festival “New Folk Songwriting Contest” in 2002 and 2005. Mary runs Ritual Café’s evening Open mic, which provides space for new songwriters and performers to develop their skills. Mary has been on the IAC Performing Artist Roster since 2005 and is an active teaching artist with Metro Arts Alliance. She is a member of Nashville Songwriters Association International and has received commissions to write songs for a local organization. She is a teaching artist and teaches songwriting in the schools to grades K-12 with an emphasis on working in schools with under served populations and schools that have lost their arts programming. Mary annually attends the Planet Bluegrass Song School in Colorado to study with the nation’s top songwriters. Mary performs solo, duo and with her band. Her artistic mission includes building a strong and acclaimed songwriting community in Des Moines, IA. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin. To learn more about Mary and to get her album check out her site at: www.marymcadams.com
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INSIDER'S VIEW
Mary McAdams brings a sweet and familiar voice to Des Moines folk artists. As someone who has been awarded for her skills in songwriting she has a lot to offer to the young artists around her. She sings stories that hit home and make you feel as though you are part of the song. That's what folk music is about. It's about telling a story that can reach through generations to connect people, and Mary has accomplished such. Thank you Mary for sharing such a wonderful gift!
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ABOUT INSIDER SESSIONS
The Insider Sessions is a peek into new, old, local, distant, cheerful, melancholy, soulful, or just plain rockin' music. We sit down with a band (usually in some odd, random space) and video record their songs. Just voice and instruments. No big stage, no big productions. Simply beautiful music played specially for you and me. Each song is an original composition, and every session is authentic and personal.
