Maria Woodford: News

So how's it goin'? Just wanted to touch base with y'all about the goings on in my world. The semester is coming to a close for me today. (For those of you who don't know, I have gone back to school full time at long last to finish my degree. I am going for Music Ed with a concentration in voice and guitar Jazz Studies.) Jake Heck and I are having a blast playing together... the gig at Pearly's last weekend was a real buzz for both of us I think. Gotta love music when she goes that way. I am talking with Mike Frank about a side poject of sorts along the lines of Emmy Lou and Willie meet Phish. Finally, I am joining Brian Molnar on a show here and there as part of his illustrious supporting cast... I had the honor of singing backing vocals on his AWESOME new record. Oh... and I think I feel a new batch of songs coming on. This summer is the proposed time for me to start recording my next CD (yay!). I guess that is it for news my friends. Much love to you and yours in this holiday season.

Hey there... It has been a while I know. Sorry 'bout that! Life is good. I am married now and happy as can be living in Easton, PA. I am going to Kutztown University for Jazz Vocal and Guitar, and I am studying to teach music as well. I am playing regularyly again, so check out the calaner!

Met these guys in Austin, TX. You are crazy if you don't check them out too... they are AWESOME.

www.sodaband.com

I haven't mentioned this for some reason, but I think it is time. I realized over this week that I have kept a very important part of my musical history to myself.

Six years ago, I went to see Martin Sexton at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ. It is a very small club... the show was breathtaking. I managed to get backstage (maybe it was the dragon pants) and I had the joyous opportunity to hang with Martin for a bit.

We talked (I talked, he mouthed his words to save his voice and I read his lips) about music and life and pain. He asked me to play for him and I did. When I was through, he asked me to sing something improvised while he played guitar. He stared playing the blues and I sang for a while... it was soooo cool.

Then he told me that I would find my voice in the blues, and that I should go looking for it there... wow. Yes, Martin Sexton is the man that got me to sing the blues! He also told me that once I had done that I should throw my stuff in my car and hit the road.

Someday I will get to thank him for the great influence he has had on my life. I took his advice to a "T", and I have to say I have loved every minute of it.

Check him out... his music is earth shatteringly moving.

Love y'all,

Maria.

I am thrilled to say that I am headed to Austin, TX this week for the SXSW music conference and to record on Charlie Cheney's album. Pete Lutz, Alexander Radus, and Andy Waldeck will be among those on the journey with the "C" man and myself...wish us happy travels! Will update soon. :) Peace.

Hey there...

It seems that the studying and time off have started to do the trick (along with many other tidbits of inspiration). I have two new songs this week and another two brewing. Thanks to everyone for your support... There isn't an artist in the world that could get along without good friends.

A great many people inquire about my influences, so I thought I would include them here. My musical tastes are eclectic to be sure, so expect some rambling :)

My parents raised me on 60's folk music, CSNY, and The Beatles. These led me off on the road to classic rock where I fell hard for Jimi Henricks, Led Zepplin, The Doors, and Black Sabbath. Oddly, at the same time I was absolutely loving "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", I was also quickly becoming enthralled by the great Bonnie Raitt.

This is where I started getting serious about songwriting. I ended up with all of Bonnie Raitt's early work. I went back to Neil Young. I met Martin Sexton (after becoming a fast fan of his amazing voice and songwriting) in some dive club in Hoboken, NJ and had a chance to sing with him while he played the blues for me. He told me I was meant for the blues and suggested I do some research.

I looked up the influences of all those classic rock giants. Then my greatest love affair of all began... I have loved many different kinds of blues from the very old to the very new. Toss a bit of jazz in there and I am in heaven. Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Saffire: Uppity Blues Women, Mary Flower, Howlin' Wolf, Bessie Smith, Chuck Berry, John Cephas and Phil Wiggins, holy moly. I will continue to add to this list for a while until it is an honest as I can make it.

While all this was happening for me, My parents were getting deep into appalachian mountain music/ old tyme. This also sent a spark through me and sent me realing toward bluegrass (Nickel Creek, Bela Fleck!, Allison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Davis Rawlins).

At a fantastic music camp and preservation center called The Augusta Heritage center (www.augustaheritage.com) I was able to learn more about both blues and bluegrass and also was introduced to swing. This is my next venture in research :).

Right now I am listening to a great deal of Tom Waits. I am truly obsessed actually. I am also listening to a lot of jazz standards. Dianna Krawl is almost always in the disc changer... and my friends have been making great jazz mixes for me that have got me going in a dozen directions at once.

I love music. period.

Any suggestions?

I experienced some great sources of inspiration lately. Recently, Mike Maurer showed up at the Porter's Pub open mic on his birthday and graced us with the gift of his voice. It has been a long time since I have been that inspired by a vocal performance. Mike's version of Tom Wait's "Jesus Gonna Be Here" was truly powerful, and spoke of an intense commitment to it's delivery. Mike was "all in" on that one. Seeing that performance reminded me of why I am in this game to begin with.

I also had the pleasure of singing a couple of standards with pianist Allen Wasserman at a family gathering over this past weekend. Allen's sense of melody and movement is unreal! Singing with him was like coming home again. I can only hope to repeat the experience... Thanks Allen!

Maria will be spending the next few months focusing on writing and improving her musicianship. Check the calander for the few shows she will be doing, or come to the open mic in her hometown of Easton, PA to visit and hone your own skills!

Maria is hosting an open mic every thursday night at Porter's Pub in Easton, PA at 10PM. So far it is an absolute blast! come on down and hang with Maria and drink $5 pitchers of Yuengling...