Band Name: The Sweet Maries
Members: Amy Shoemaker & Susie Lofton. Special guest Phil Goldman
Genre: Indie Folk/Americana
Description: Soaring female harmonies set to compelling tales and acoustic instrumentation.
Website link: Home
The Sweet Maries are Amy Shoemaker and Susie Lofton, with their amazing vocal blend and soaring harmonies performing originals and some of the best-loved songs of the ’60s.
Very acoustic, very much listening music, very heavenly altogether.
“The Sweet Maries sizzles with its eclectic mix of songs and styles–everything from folk, blues and jazz to gospel and traditional, including outstanding originals. Performing with a flair that gathers in the audience like bees to honey, The Sweet Maries delivers a fun and very sweet musical experience. Amy Shoemaker, Susie Lofton, Don Stiernberg, and Jim Cox are a superb group infused with chemistry, chops, and charisma. The debut album is very highly recommended, and a live show is not to be missed!” -Lilli Kuzma, host of “Folk Festival” on 90.9fm WDCB Public Radio
Amy Shoemaker
Amy ‘Marie’ Shoemaker is an artist by every definition: painting beautiful songs with her colorful lyrics, she blends muscial genres together as a singer-songwriter, poet, producer, and musician. With a background in theatre including MFAs in Acting and Directing, it’s no wonder that she inspires others with her classic songs and music, bringing that familiar sense of playfulness and stage presence to the concert hall; performing with her husband John Williams across the US, Ireland, and Canada; and with bands: The Rolling Mothers, Ladie’s View, Fizgig, Earl Fly, The Shoemakers, and Amy and the Rhinos.
Susie Lofton
Susie ‘Marie’ Lofton is a vocalist trained within various choral ensembles including renowned Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus. This foundation gave her a love for classical writers and composers, ensemble singing and harmonic structure. Her background in musical theater helped to hone her craft as a performance artist. Susie also plays guitar, drums and a variety of percussion instruments, most notably the Cabasa. She is inspired by singer-songwriter, inspirational, R&B, gospel, jazz, world beat and prog-rock genres. The result allows a blending of her poetry and short stories set to harmony and rhythm.
Link to Video(s): The Sweet Maries - Fat Man's Holler