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Called the “Queen of Long Island Country” by Newsday, MARY LAMONT was
three times voted Band of the Year by the New York Metro Country
Music Association, and was twice voted Female Singer/Songwriter of the
Year by the New Jersey Country Music Association. REVIEW OF LATEST CD:
QUOTES: From Freeport Memorial Library: "The Freeport Memorial Library was excited to have the amazing Mary Lamont Band as our first featured Country Music Concert! The heartwarming stories, the talented musicians, and the beautiful music, made our Sunday afternoon a pleasure! To forget about the woes of the world, and share smiles and songs with each other, is surely a treat! Mary and her band have an amazing blend that is unique, happy and fun! Thank you Mary Lamont Band." Good
Times calls her show "a real treat...a sumptious western buffet" and "a
must-see for fans of contemporary country music as well as for anyone who's
even remotely curious. Their performance is tight and mixed well, with Canadian-born
Lamont's vocals mixing seamlessly with the rest of the band...Lamont is comfortable
on-stage and possesses the honest charm befitting a country singer...The entire
band seems to really enjoy playing music together. The vibe carries over to
the audience....Of the originals performed, standouts were surely the enjoyable
'Sweepin' the Floor' and the somber 'It Filled Up Her Mind'.Give this group
a listen. You won't be disappointed." (Brendan Manley)
"Mary
Lamont's impressive performance during the Long Island Music Festival...with
a brand of modern country music somewhat along the lines of BR5-49, Mary's 3-song
demo is likely the first step towards a promising career." (Scott Kuchler)
The
Island Ear says: "Co-written with guitarist Jim Marchese, 'Take This Ride'
displays spirited vocals and singing in the tradition of Patsy Cline and other
classic country singers....Lamont manages to portray a wide range of emotions
and impressive vocal versatility. 'It Filled Up Her Mind', a song inspired by
her grandmother, is particularly poignant. This demo reveals a singer/songwriter
with great potential." The
Voice says, "Although Mary Lamont and her band perform an unusually broad
range of covers that will satisfy any country fan, the bigger draw is her collection
of tight, evocative originals." (Elizabeth Weitzman) "There's
just the right amount of sugar on Lamont's chords to give her a sweet, but unpretentious
sound. But then again what less could you expect from the band that was
nominated Best Country Act by the Long Island Music Awards? Oh
sweet chords! Mary's got 'em. You need to hear 'em. (Stacy Albin)
Newsday's
Nightbeat section listed Mary as a "best bet" for live performance. (Isaac
Guzman). And she was the featured photo in the "Bands On the Run"
section of Newsday which lists the performance dates of "Long Island's hottest
acts." And,
she was interviewed on News 12 Long Island as "putting Long Island on
the map when it comes to the sweet sounds of country music." Famed Nashville writer/historian Robert K. Oermann gave Mary an Honorable Mention for her song "Sweepin' the Floor" (from Mary's debut CD) in Music Row Magazine Nashville's premiere music business pubication. Of "Ontario" (from Mary's second album) Oermann said, "The track has a cool, almost Celtic feel that combines marshall drumming gentle acoustic guitars, steel and minor key electric touches...she sounds quite enjoyable." MEET THE BAND Mary
is blessed with some of the best players around....
Jim is the band's lead guitarist, as well as its manager. As a professional photographer, Jim's work has appeared in albums, calendars and tour books for Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Gary U.S. Bonds and "Little Steven" Van Zandt, who was also a featured character on HBO's hit series "The Sopranos". Jim was also thrilled to have photographed dobro master Jerry Douglas for his solo CD, The Best Kept Secret (Koch Records). Click here for Jim's website Jim's interest in music started
at a very young age when his Dad bought him his first guitar from Sears. Easily
able to play by ear, Jim played in various rock bands as a teenager, influenced
by Scotty Moore, James Burton, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, George Harrison,
Robbie Robertson, Earl Scruggs, Hank Williams, and Chet Atkins. Multi-talented bassist Cosmo's interest in music started in elementary school with clarinet lessons, leading to playing drums in many rock 'n' roll bands (including a band that backed rock legend Chuck Berry at a benefit at Hofstra University). With a keen interest in synthesizers, Cosmo switched to keyboards and then ultimately to bass, always with a love for harmonies. With his enthusiasm and wide range of experience, Cosmo is a welcome addition to the Mary Lamont Band. Quote: "I will keep on playing 'til the end." Cosmo plays and enjoys "a red hot Pedulla Rapture 5-string bass: light weight. great action, active pick-ups. Also a 4-string Abe Riviera custom bass (gotta see it to believe it): super thin neck, great sound, fun to play." A Hartke Ha4000 powers his basses with a 4- 10 inch speaker combo or a 2 - 10 / 1 - 15 inch combo.
Drummer Greg took his rhythm lessons from the R&B, soul, rock, and swing
masters of each era. His natural groove has backed up many artists at venues
in Manhattan and Long Island, in a wide range of groups including The Elison
Chase Band, the South Street Band, The Melting Five, and The Mojos to name
a few, and on occasion sharing the stage with The Rossington-Collins Band,
Meatloaf, Jorma Kaukonen, Garland Jeffreys and others. Venues have included
The Riverhead Blues Festival, The Lone Star Cafe, Max’s Kansas City,
Interferon, CBGBs, live radio, commercials, and session work.
Pedal steel guitarist Skip played on Mary's debut and third CDs. His impressive credits include The Will Rogers Follies, Urban Cowboy, and Hands on a Hardbody on Broadway, the national tour of The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas starring Ann-Margret, and has done countless recording
sessions and jingles. Skip can play, 'nuff said.
Guitarist Rich plays on Mary's third CD as well as numerous live performances, providing guitar as well as great harmonies. A talented singer/songwriter, Rich focuses extensively on country style music, having been influenced by Emmylou Harris, The Byrds, as well as songwriters Rodney Crowell and J.D. Souther. Impressed by Merle Haggard's distinctive sounds in the '80s, Rich became an avid Telecaster player, and has developed his own great style, which clearly enhances The Mary Lamont Band. ...and a host of top notch guest players !
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