Mary Beth Cross

"What is so compelling about Mary Beth's music to me is that it both educates and moves me. Her love and understanding of the struggles of the people for whom this great country was founded creates compelling stories. For her to tell these stories that so few have ever heard gives a voice to those who were born in a time when not everyone was treated as equal. This reveals Mary Beth's compassionate heart." - Nashville producer

"If there was ever a 'feel good' album in the Folk-Americana genre, this is it. Mary Beth Cross' latest collection is a beautiful marriage between the music and the musician. Her vocals are captivating and the production on her album is a perfect fit for the material which is presented in interesting and surprising ways. I love this album." - the 2 time Grammy- winning Producer of the WannaBeatles

"Story telling seems to be nearly a lost art these days among the multitudes of verly produced pop performers. This collection of beautiful recordings Mary Beth has culled together not only shows remarkable song sensibilities, but the inspirational and gentle voice that blends perfectly into the complimentary instrumentation. It's delightfully poignant and artistically gratifying." - singer, Nashville recording artist

STS -- 12 days, 6 hours 2 minutes ago
Folk-Americana Artist Mary Beth Cross Releases 'Beyond Good and Evil'

DENVER (January 2013) – Denver folk-Americana singer-songwriter Mary Beth Cross will celebrate the release of her fourth CD with a special concert and signing from 4-6 p.m. Jan 27 (Sunday) at Fourteen Seventy-Two Lowcountry Dining, 1472 Pearl St. in Denver.

In related news, the artist has been invited to perform at the 2013 Folk Alliance Conference in Toronto. Cross will take the stage with other artists on Feb. 20 for the "Musicians United for Bristol Bay" concert". She also will perform at a special showcase for music industry professionals on Feb. 23.

Recorded in Nashville, “Beyond Good and Evil” gives voice to the pioneer spirit of the American frontier with original songs and cover tunes. Cross spent the past year penning songs reflecting the grit and determination of the adventurers who blazed a trail from the East to the West in search of what they treasured most: beauty, adventure, land, new opportunities for work, and freedom from oppression.

Acoustic instrumentation was carefully chosen to highlight the historical time period for each song. The music represents a few of the cultures that have contributed to what has become American music today, including the banjos of African immigrants; the pipes, whistles and percussion of Celtic music makers in the British Isles; and the horns, accordions and fiddles of French cafes.

“All of these are part of the collective tapestry of a country that continues to forge on and grow despite great adversity,” said Cross, whose goal was to create an "authentic sound" that changes the folk-Americana landscape. “The choices, sacrifice and yearning for a place that feels like home remain timeless."

The free event at Fourteen Seventy-Two Lowcountry Dining in Denver will include live music, hors d’oeuvres, a full bar, and prize giveaways.

Cross uses soaring, pure-tone soprano vocals to help bring her story-driven songs to life.

The foot-tapping tune "Kiss You Goodnight" was inspired by the Chilean copper miners who were trapped underground for 60 days with nothing but darkness and time on their hands. One of the miners emerged to find both his wife and mistress waiting for him.

"The upbeat rhythms in the song led the session musicians to imagine the miner digging a tunnel out the back to avoid his confrontation of being found out by both women," Cross noted.

A tour of Dolly's House Museum, a historic brothel house in Ketchikan, Alaska, prompted Cross to write the fiddle-accented "Stories Never Told". The artist sings a fun but heart-rending story of a dusty prospector who uses his gold for prostitutes and whiskey, only to die on a dirt trail with a bullet wound to the head. History books did not record his name.

The title cut for "Beyond Good and Evil" is an expression of the former nurse's desire to help make the world a better place through education, caring and helping others. The tender ballad ends with the words, "I'd rather light a candle than waste my life cursing the dark."

"The idea for the album came while I was reading Nietzsche's book, 'Beyond Good and Evil'," Cross added. "I was exploring the impetus to move West and the feelings surrounding the need for change. At one time or another, we all feel the need to break free from a cage of any kind. Sometimes that is imagined, other times real. Like the westward pioneer adventurers, we make the choice to stay, leave, act, or not act. We just hope we can be happy with our choice in the end."

"Beyond Good and Evil" was produced, recorded and mixed by Dave Bechtel at Playground Recording Studio in Nashville. The album features Cross on lead and background vocals; eight-time IBMA "Fiddler of the Year" Stuart Duncan on fiddle, mandolin and banjo; Matthew Pierson on acoustic and electric bass; Mike Payne on acoustic and six-string guitar; Blair Masters on piano, accordion, organ and melodica; Ken Lewis on drums and percussion; Paul Nelson on cello; Michael Douchette on dobro; Gary Pigg on background vocals; and Bechtel on whistle.

The CD is being promoted nationally to folk-Americana radio by Nashville-based Bill Wence Promotions. Whiting Publicity & Promotions is handling publicity.

"There has always been and always will be an urge to improve one's station in life, to move on when things are not working out or when someone does not feel valued," Cross continued. "People moved West for more land, the opportunity for work, farmland to feed their families, and a sense of community. Those are the same reasons people move West today."

"Beyond Good and Evil" is receiving rave reviews.

"What is so compelling about Mary Beth's music to me is that it both educates and moves me," Bechtel said. "Her love and understanding of the struggles of the people for whom this great count - New Music Weekly January 27, 2013

Mary Beth Cross Releases ‘Beyond Good and Evil’

Posted on January 22, 2013 by JaimieWard
















Denver folk-Americana singer-songwriter Mary Beth Cross will celebrate the release of her fourth CD with a special concert and signing from 4-6 p.m. Jan 27 (Sunday) at Fourteen Seventy-Two Lowcountry Dining, 1472 Pearl St. in Denver.

In related news, the artist has been invited to perform at the 2013 Folk Alliance Conference in Toronto. Cross will take the stage with other artists on Feb. 20 for the “Musicians United for Bristol Bay” concert”. She also will perform at a special showcase for music industry professionals on Feb. 23.

Recorded in Nashville, “Beyond Good and Evil” gives voice to the pioneer spirit of the American frontier with original songs and cover tunes. Cross spent the past year penning songs reflecting the grit and determination of the adventurers who blazed a trail from the East to the West in search of what they treasured most: beauty, adventure, land, new opportunities for work, and freedom from oppression.

Acoustic instrumentation was carefully chosen to highlight the historical time period for each song. The music represents a few of the cultures that have contributed to what has become American music today, including the banjos of African immigrants; the pipes, whistles and percussion of Celtic music makers in the British Isles; and the horns, accordions and fiddles of French cafes.

“All of these are part of the collective tapestry of a country that continues to forge on and grow despite great adversity,” said Cross, whose goal was to create an “authentic sound” that changes the folk-Americana landscape. “The choices, sacrifice and yearning for a place that feels like home remain timeless.”

The free event at Fourteen Seventy-Two Lowcountry Dining in Denver will include live music, hors d’oeuvres, a full bar, and prize giveaways.

Cross uses soaring, pure-tone soprano vocals to help bring her story-driven songs to life.

The foot-tapping tune “Kiss You Goodnight” was inspired by the Chilean copper miners who were trapped underground for 60 days with nothing but darkness and time on their hands. One of the miners emerged to find both his wife and mistress waiting for him.

“The upbeat rhythms in the song led the session musicians to imagine the miner digging a tunnel out the back to avoid his confrontation of being found out by both women,” Cross noted.

A tour of Dolly’s House Museum, a historic brothel house in Ketchikan, Alaska, prompted Cross to write the fiddle-accented “Stories Never Told”. The artist sings a fun but heart-rending story of a dusty prospector who uses his gold for prostitutes and whiskey, only to die on a dirt trail with a bullet wound to the head. History books did not record his name.

The title cut for “Beyond Good and Evil” is an expression of the former nurse’s desire to help make the world a better place through education, caring and helping others. The tender ballad ends with the words, “I’d rather light a candle than waste my life cursing the dark.”

“The idea for the album came while I was reading Nietzsche’s book, ‘Beyond Good and Evil’,” Cross added. “I was exploring the impetus to move West and the feelings surrounding the need for change. At one time or another, we all feel the need to break free from a cage of any kind. Sometimes that is imagined, other times real. Like the westward pioneer adventurers, we make the choice to stay, leave, act, or not act. We just hope we can be happy with our choice in the end.”

“Beyond Good and Evil” was produced, recorded and mixed by Dave Bechtel at Playground Recording Studio in Nashville. The album features Cross on lead and background vocals; eight-time IBMA “Fiddler of the Year” Stuart Duncan on fiddle, mandolin and banjo; Matthew Pierson on acoustic and electric bass; Mike Payne on acoustic and six-string guitar; Blair Masters on piano, accordion, organ and melodica; Ken Lewis on drums and percussion; Paul Nelson on cello; Michael Douchette on dobro; Gary Pigg on background vocals; and Bechtel on whistle.

The CD is being promoted nationally to folk-Americana radio by Nashville-based Bill Wence Promotions. Whiting Publicity & Promotions is handling publicity.

“There has always been and always will be an urge to improve one’s station in life, to move on when things are not working out or when someone does not feel valued,” Cross continued. “People moved West for more land, the opportunity for work, farmland to feed their families, and a sense of community. Those are the same reasons people move West today.”

“Beyond Good and Evil” is receiving rave reviews.

“What is so compelling about Mary Beth’s music to me is that it both educates and moves me,” Bechtel said. “Her love and understanding of the struggles of the people for whom this great country was founded creates compelling stories. For her to tell these stories that so few h - Music News Nashville January 22, 2013by Jaimie Ward

- Special to the Daily

Mary Beth Cross releases new album
‘Beyond Good and Evil' is a collection of folk Americana
JANUARY, 24 2013
BY MARIANA WENZEL
SUMMIT DAILY NEWS
Local homeowner Mary Beth Cross celebrates the release of her latest album, “Beyond Good and Evil,” from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Fourteen Seventy-Two Lowcountry Dining, 1472 S. Pearl St. in Denver.

Cross describes the album, which is inspired by “the spirit and grit of pioneer women,” as “positive, uplifting and historical.” It is influenced by early folk music of the 70s including Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Joan Baez and The Beatles.

The new release represents a progression from her previous album, “In My Right Mind,” which showcased sounds from around the world, including African banjos, fiddles of Ireland and Scotland and “jazzy” French music, as she described it. Cello and banjo are the main elements of the new album, which features 2012 IDMA fiddle player of the year Stuart Duncan.

“Beyond Good and Evil” consists of original songs and covers. Covers include George and Ira Gershwin's “Our Love is Here to Stay,” Douglas MacLean's “Caledonia,” the African traditional song “I Don't Feel No Ways Tired” and Noel Brazil's “Babes in the Wood.”

The opening song, “Babes in the Wood,” plus “Kiss you Goodnight” and “Liza Jane” are fun, energetic country tunes, carried by Cross' sugar-sweet voice. The album offers a lot of variety, rounded out with mellow ballads like “Beyond Good and Evil” and “Feels Like Home.” Cross also takes listeners on a journey to the Old West of mining towns, saloons, gun fights and brothels in songs including “Stories Never Told” and “Land of the Midnight Sun.”

“‘Beyond Good and Evil' highlights the fact that there is a love that watches over us, kind of carries us through all kinds of adversity,” said Cross about the concept for the new album. “What's unique about my songwriting style is that I … pull inspiration from (women of history).”

The singer-songwriter also takes her inspiration from the rural farmland and forests of Wisconsin where she grew up, and the Rocky Mountains, where she has a home.

The album was recorded in Nashville, Tenn. and features Stuart Duncan on fiddle, mandolin and banjo; Matthew Pierson on acoustic and electric bass; Mike Payne on acoustic, electric guitars and six-string banjo; Blair Masters on piano, organ, accordion and melodica; Ken Lewis on drums and percussion; Paul Nelson on cello; Michael Douchette on dobro; Gary Pigg on background vocals and Dave Bechtel as a special guest for Gershwin's cover.



- Summit Daily News

Mar 16, 2006 Singer and songwriter Mary beth cross - Summit Daily News

"In My Right Mind is simply beautiful. Mary Beth is extraordinarily talented. Her work comes from the soul." - Linder Center of HOPE Cincinnati, Ohio

In My Right Mind showcases Mary beth Cross' pure vocals and offers just the right amount of country, soul and heart. The band is the perfect foil for her tunes and the entire project is a wonderful sonic showcase of Americana music. I think you'll enjoy it lots." - Mollie O'Brien

"Mary Beth has a cool version of "High Powered Love" and I really like her voice" - Radio Mavens

See web URL for full article - Archdiochese of Denver