Mack Bailey & Rachel Levy / Lizanne Knott & John Conahan September 4, 2010

CONCERT - $16 Advance/$20 Door, 8:00 pm

In its power, clarity and shear beauty, Mack Bailey's voice reminds me of no one more than my friend, the late John Denver. I love to hear this man sing.”
- Tom Paxton

You can tell a lot about singer songwriter Mack Bailey by the musical company he keeps. Mack has been hailed as “the next great singer in folk music” by no less an authority than Glenn Yarbrough, the original tenor in the fabulous world-renowned folk trio, The Limeliters. Mack’s career came full circle when in 2004 he was asked to be the newest tenor in The Limeliters, with whom he now performs around the country.

Using John Denver’s music, Mack taught himself to play the guitar, so it was a thrill for Mack when he had the privilege of trading verses to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with Denver in front of 9000 people shortly before John’s death. Today, the Limeliters and John Denver continue to play an active role in Mack’s professional life, even as he pursues his successful solo career. Mack has caught the attention of national folk music audiences with not only his Limeliters performances, but also with his prominent role in the nationally touring show “A Musical Tribute to John Denver” with many of John’s former band members and production crew.

Several of Denver’s former band members have also played on Mack’s albums, including Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger, Jim Horn, and Bill Danoff. Other music royalty has joined him as well: Mary Chapin Carpenter sang on his first album, which was produced by Bill Danoff of “Country Roads” and “Afternoon Delight” fame, and the Jordanaires contributed soulful background vocals on his album, Why I’m Here. Denver’s long-time producer, Kris O’Connor, produced Mack’s Through Your Eyes album. Most recently, prestigious musicians like Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, and Jack Pearson graced Mack’s album, Choose Your Attitude.

For almost two decades, Mack has been a principal member of the reunited 60s group, The Hard Travelers, with whom he has recorded five albums. He has a rich history of major concert appearances having performed with or shared the stage as opener with a long list of folk and country stars including Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Kathy Mattea, Tom Rush, Tom Paxton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Leann Rimes, and John Denver confirming that indeed, Mack keeps very good musical company.

Mack also performs with his wife, Rachel Levy, and the duo have been likened to a “similar pairing 40 years ago of Gram Parsons and a very young Emmylou Harris”. “Lucky Man”, written by Mack and Rachel, was chosen as a finalist in the 2006 mid-atlantic song contest in the country/bluegrass category and was also selected to be profiled in sing out! Magazine. In addition, this past fall “Lucky Man” was a feature song on NASCAR Angels. Mack and Rachel also co-penned “It’s Time”, which has received critical acclaim from former Vice-President Al Gore, as promoting environmental awareness. Mack was awarded for his excellence with a WAMMIE for Best Traditional Folk Performer, and his song “High Gear” has been featured on NPR’s popular Car Talk.

Originally hailing from the small town of Troy, North Carolina, Mack attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and graduated with a degree in music performance. Besides writing, performing solo and in his two groups, and recording eight solo albums, Mack is musically active in several medical and environmental causes, including Maryland Therapeutic Riding, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Starlight Starbright, and Challenge Aspen. Mack has also played in nursing homes and Alzheimer’s units playing group concerts and individual outreach, and he continues to enjoy working with school students on songwriting in their creative writing classes. Mack currently resides in Denver, Colorado.

www.mackbailey.com

"Absolutely gorgeous music. We've rarely had as big a reaction to any artist in recent years that we've had for Lizanne Knott"
- Bob harris BBC2

An award winning songwriter and managing partner of renowned MorningStar Studios, Lizanne Knott has been captivating audiences throughout the Northeast and garnering accolades from radio listeners and peers around the globe. Well known locally for her floating vocals and lyrical juxtapositions, her apparent depth and transcending warmth make for an inviting mix of music which moves easily through dark poetic ballads - to roots driven folk and folk rock.
She has performed at some of the most prestigious listening venues on the east coast and throughout England, steadily gaining ground wherever the road takes her.

A frequent featured artist on London's acclaimed Bob Harris show, BBC2 and other BBC stations, she also recieves airplay on AAA radio throughout the US. Her music has been used in independant films, TV movies, documentaries and by national non-profit organizations.

Together with partner - 4 time GRAMMY Award winning producer/engineer, Glenn Barratt and a host of their friends ~ who happen to be some of the most renowned session players around ~ she merges her delicately soulful sound with some of todays most innovative music.

Lizanne is proud to be the Philadelphia host for the New York Songwriter's Circle at World Cafe Live.

Lizanne's Affiliations:
MorningStar Studios ~ Managing Partner
New York Songwriter's Circle ~ Philadelphia Director
Stoneyport Associates, UK
Americana Music Association Member
NSAI ~ Professional Member
ASCAP ~ American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
BMI ~ Broadcast Music Incorporated
MOC ~ Musicians on Call
Lizanne's CDs can be purchased at CD BABY: www.cdbaby.com and in stores throughout the UK.

www.lizanneknott.com

John Conahan has been featured on international, national and regional radio programs, shared the stage with a myriad of musicians, and appears regularly at the most prestigious venues throughout the country. He is a regular at the Tin Angel, the World Café Live, the Living Room, The National Underground, Rockwood Music Hall and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. He has shared the stage with friends like Missy Higgins, Los Lobos, Jeffrey Gaines, Josh Joplin, Rachael Sage and Bernie Worrell. John’s audience interaction is always a highlight – he’ll have you singing his songs and outright laughing in between them. You can find out more about John and his recordings on iTunes.

John’s award-winning songs have been featured on MTV, VH1, in film, promotional campaigns and syndicated broadcasts and podcasts.

John composes, arranges and performs as a featured soloist with a number of ensembles including string quartets, orchestras, jazz combos and choral groups. He has been a Music Director for many notable recording and touring projects.

"John Conahan is all about the music – all of the time."
- Frank Quattrone

"Conahan delivers with startling passion and emotion, singing with flair and personality, complete with eclectic, rich piano playing. His sound is flawless."
- Copper Press

"John’s music caresses your soul while quenching your thirst for finely-crafted music."
- Music Morsels

"Many of today’s singer songwriters blend blues, jazz, folk and country in a style that says, ‘I don’t have my own voice or know what my interests are.’ These songwriters master no style and create musical mush. John Conahan has none of these problems. His blues, jazz, pop, and vocal music all contain his unique vision."
- David Wannop, Music Journalist

"John is a captivating, larger than life performer and if you haven't seen him yet- do yourself the favor... you’ll be blown away, I promise."
- Dena Marchiony - Philadelphia Songwriters Project

"John is an outstanding talent and equally entertaining. His voice is one of those rare instruments that can go anyplace his heart desires. He is a true pleasure to listen to!"
- Tina Shafer - New York Songwriters Circle

www.johnconahan.com

Official Website: http://www.psalmsalon.com