The Sweet Maries

Evanston, IL

Contact for rates

Travels up to 60 miles

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Promotional video thumbnail 1 for The Sweet Maries

Fat Man's Holler

Gallery photo 1 of The Sweet Maries
Gallery photo 2 of The Sweet Maries

Singing and playing sweet sounds.

Gallery photo 3 of The Sweet Maries

Live at the Pig & Weasel

Gallery photo 4 of The Sweet Maries

Taking us away with her vocals.

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Best notable mandolin picking!

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Jim Cox holding it all together on Bass

Gallery photo 7 of The Sweet Maries
Gallery photo 8 of The Sweet Maries

Don on mandolin

Overview

Contemporary folk group, lead by Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton, with their amazing vocal blend and soaring harmonies, and a few of Chicago's best-loved musicians, Don Stiernberg on mandolin, Jim Cox on bass and now featuring local Steve Martin on banjo, trumpet , fiddle and Meg Thomas on drums. – performing originals and some of the best-loved songs of the '60s.

Very acoustic, very much listening music, very heavenly altogether.


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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

Gig length: 45 - 180 minutes

What to expect

Dual female vocals and musical blend of Folk, Americana, Blues, Gospel, Jazz, and Contemporary Folk-rock.

About

Contemporary folk group The Sweet Maries - led by Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton - grace the stage with their amazing vocal blend and beautiful harmonies, along with a few of Chicago's best-loved musicians. Members have included Don Stiernberg on mandolin, Jim Cox on upright bass and Steve Martin on banjo, and guitar. Performing originals, select covers, folk, jazz and gospel. Very acoustic, very much listening music, very heavenly altogether.

The Sweet Maries all started when Amy Shoemaker met Susie Lofton. Their new harmonies breathed heavenly light into Amy's songs and many classics. After a stunning debut performance at Act One on Chicago's northside, Amy and Susie began working together, and soon invited the renown Don Stiernberg and Jim Cox to join, allowing the band to take form. The Sweet Maries continue to sweep audiences off their feet with their vocal talent and well cast musicians.

“Chicago’s The Sweet Maries are an accomplished folk band that keep the beguiling harmonies of singers Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton up in the front, backed string-band production that features some acrobatic mandolin playing. There is a mix of pop drama and polish and old time folk vibes. Their self titled album includes an interesting take on the traditional tune "Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair”

— The Modern Folk Music of America, Online music blog

Additional booking notes

3 DI,
3 Boom Mic,
2 Monitors

*Both Sound-man and Equipment for gig may be made available if needed. Please contact for details.

Past booked events

April 2014

20

Sunday

Private Party

1:00pm - 3:00pm

St Charles, IL

Team

Amy Shoemaker Vocals, Guitar
Susie Lofton Vocals, Percussive Sound
Don Stiernberg Mandolin
Jim Cox Bass

Set list

Oh Mary, Don't You Weep - Traditional Gospel
Helpless - Neil Young
Seduced - Leon Redbone
Dirt Road - The Sweet Maries
Peace in the Valley - The Sweet Maries
Brighter Day - The Sweet Maries
I'm Just A Lucky So and So - Ella Fitzgerald
Fat Man's Holler - The Sweet Maries
Whose Girl Is This? - The Sweet Maries
Don't Look Back - The Sweet Maries
Once You Were Mine - The Sweet Maries
Black Is the Color - Traditional
This Time - The Sweet Maries
Catch the Wind - Donovan
2 B the 1 - The Sweet Maries
When You Talk to Me - The Sweet Maries
Rain - Beatles
Drink Up - The Sweet Maries
Little Conversations - Concrete Blonde

Influences and inspiration

Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Ryan Adams, Laura Nyro, Robbie Fulks, Beatles, Donovan

Setup requirements

3 Direct Lines

3 Boom Mics

2 Monitor Min

3 Mic Stands

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