Mary and the Janes
Merging the best musicians from local bands, Mary and the Janes is a beautiful mix of artists with a varied background in musical styles. The combined sound is edgy acoustic rock with bluesy undertones all laid over a driving groove. Their original songs carry a distinctive hook and are perfectly paired with some frat house standards. Lead vocalist MJ Anderson’s torchy, devil-may-care voice brimming with earthy soul gives the band an impassioned delivery. Five very unique musical personalities join Anderson in completing the Mary and the Janes sound. Anderson’s sultry vocals float over Rodney Bray’s innovative riffs, Jerry Brockman’s pulsing bass lines, Mark Favazza’s smooth acoustic flow, Troy Wolfrey’s resonant percussive grooves, and Susan Johnson’s inspired harmonies.

Rather than receiving payment for their performance at the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival, Mary and the Janes are donating 100% of their earnings to the Northern Neck Family YMCA’s Bright Beginnings, a program which provides clothing and school supplies to local children living below the poverty line. The passion Anderson brings to her music is equal to her passion for helping kids in need. “There are over 1,200 families living below the poverty line in our community,” Anderson notes. “The Bright Beginnings Program strikes a chord with me because it helps even out the playing field for these kids, giving them a boost of confidence as they begin a new school year.”

You can also buy Mary and the Janes’ “Live at the Crossroads” CD at the Wine Festival or on iTunes after June 8, 2008 – all proceeds go to Bright Beginnings!