Publicity Information
for Media & Presenters

This page contains various length biography and descriptive publicity information, and we'll be adding downloadable photos for print media as well. For conventional press materials or to schedule interviews, please E-mail us at byrdbrown@juno.com

Short Descriptions & Quotes | Paragraph Bio | Full Length Biography | Flyers/Posters Photos | Press Releases

SHORT DESCRIPTIONS & QUOTES - use for flyers and brochures

"Energetic and passionate performance artist....a voice as strong as Judy Collins and a delivery as inventive as Joni Mitchell." - Chesapeake Entertainment Guide

"Mary Byrd Brown could be Ani Difranco stripped of her punk rock attitude and freneticism." -Tucson Weekly

"... a rising star on the music scene. There's a little bit of folk, an echo of Janis Ian, and a lot of easy-to-relate-to feelings in this young woman's work." - Times Weekender

"Mary Byrd Brown is a vocal photographer. Her songs are candid snapshots of the earth she explores and the people she meets. She’s not flighty or ethereal. Her sound is honest, like a good-natured, benevolent and more “p.c.” sister of Ani DiFranco." - Fly Magazine, Harrisburg PA

"As a songwriter, Brown’s clarity and originality are the lifeblood of her music. Her humble honesty adds depth to her art and is a refreshing change of pace from today’s two-dimensional pop." - Fly Magazine, Harrisburg PA

"She is a captivating singer whose inimitable and infectious style keeps audiences coming back for more and more". -Shirlington Artists Guild

"Mary Byrd Brown has a soaring voice that wraps you with warmth and delicate phrasing. Her lilting vocal nuances give an endearing character to her music while drawing out key lyrics that underline the subtle layers of meaning woven through the fabric of her songs." - Richard Fox, WCUW

"Her vignettes of love are sung passionately and the songs are sharply focused. Moody, minor-key moments mix with playful upbeat tunes." - Style Weekly

"The Congregation at UUCL recently had the distinct pleasure of a musical service/performance by Mary Byrd Brown. One of our most popular services has always been The Spiritual Journey,in which members of our Congregation share their path taken. Mary Byrd Brown captures this journey in song. Her material is personal, original, and spiritual--her music inspired and uplifting. This Service was unquestionably one of our best this year." - Chris King, President: Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun

PARAGRAPH BIO

Maryland singer/songwriter Mary Byrd Brown is critically acclaimed for her energetic and passionate performance art, and in particular for her distinctive rich vocals and her unique delivery that simultaneously invokes Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell; "a soaring voice...with warmth and delicate phrasing... her lilting vocal nuances give an endearing character to her music² (WCUW, Worcester MA). From compelling grooves to spellbinding ballads, Mary draws from inspirations as diverse as jazzy torch songs and playful satire; "she glides gingerly between soulful, moody, minor-key moments and upbeat crescendos and everything in between." (Nicholson House Concerts). "A smooth guitar style, memorable voice, unique delivery, and terrific songs" (Country Roads Folk Festival)

FULL-LENGTH BIO

Maryland performing songwriter Mary Byrd Brown is critically acclaimed for her energetic and passionate performance art, and in particular for her distinctive rich vocals and her unique delivery that simultaneously invoke Billie Holiday and Joni Mitchell. From compelling grooves to spellbinding ballads, Mary draws from inspirations as diverse as jazzy torch songs and playful satire; "she glides gingerly between soulful, moody, minor-key moments and upbeat crescendos and everything in between." (Nicholson House Concerts). "A smooth guitar style, memorable voice, unique delivery, and terrific songs." (Country Roads Folk Festival)

Her impressive career spans nearly two decades and credits include five albums, significant radio airplay, and shared stages with many folk and Americana luminaries such as Richie Havens, Tom Paxton and Loudon Wainwright III. Her latest recording, Live at: House in the Woods, showcases her prodigious range of styles and topics; from the breathy reflections on life's last moments ("Whispers") or the universality of childhood imaginings ("Liberty") to a sass-filled blues about falling for losers ("Dark Side").

Though well-established as a solo artist in folk music circles, her myriad interests are reflected in her signature style: "a slippery shuffle between folk, rock, blues, country and jazz." Her experimental folk-jazz fusion collaboration with top-rate jazz musicians was a highly sought-after act by Mid-Atlantic concert and festival presenters. In addition to renowned concert halls, clubs and festivals, Mary's performance resume also includes a variety of venues, ranging from coffeehouses and college campuses to seminars and house concerts. She tours nationally, and she continues to magnetize energized, enthusiastic audiences - town by town, city by city, state by state.

"It's Brown's ability to connect with a live audience that has built her a wide following that cuts across regional boundaries and musical genres." (Nicholson House Concerts). In 1999, the readers of "Music Monthly" acknowledged that connection by voting Mary "Best of Genre in Folk." Whether on a big festival stage or at an intimate spiritual celebration, Mary's performance often leads her listeners through an emotional journey across the landscape of human experience. Audiences arrive, at show's end, with a refreshing and united perspective on life's vital challenges.

Mary comes from a rich American ancestry, tracing her family ties to Accomack County, Virginia in 1664. Her mother is a guide at Bruton Parish in Colonial Williamsburg and her father is a guide at the Jamestown Archeological excavation and is currently authoring a book on the first 32 days of the Jamestown settlement in 1607.