Mary McAdams

Mary McAdams is a Des Moines-based, award-winning singer-songwriter and educator. Her music is a mix of folk and Americana, blended with the blues. She has performed at music festivals, art festivals, house concerts, coffeehouses, schools and many private events. Mary performs solo, duo and with her full band.

Her songwriting awards include: Regional Finalist, 2011 Mountain Stage NewSong Songwriting Contest, 2011 Susanne Millsap Songwriters Showcase, Snowbird Mountain Music Festival; Regional Finalist, 2010 Mountain Stage NewSong Songwriting Contest; Finalist, 2010 Big Top Chautauqua Songwriting Contest; Second Place, 2010 Susanne Millsap Songwriters Showcase, Snowbird Mountain Music Festival; ?Semi-Finalist, 2010 Lilith Fair Local Talent Search. She was a Finalist in the Minnesota Folk Festival "New Folk Songwriting Contest" in 2002 and 2005.

Mary runs Ritual Café's weekly open mic, which provides space for new songwriters and performers to develop their skills. Mary has been on the IAC Performing Artist Roster since 2005 and is an active teaching artist with Metro Arts Alliance, teaching songwriting to students. She currently sits on the Metro Arts Alliance 'Artist Advisory Committee' and has since 2005. Mary was honored as Metro Arts Alliance 'Artist of the Month' in February 2009 and Iowa Arts Council's "Featured Artist" in March 2009.

In May, 2011 Mary's music accepted into the music library and synch-licensing powerhouse, Crucial Music. Located in Los Angeles, Crucial Music has secured substantial film/TV placements for its artists and is notoriously difficult to place with.

Mary is a member of Nashville Songwriters Association International and Folk Alliance International and is the Musical Co-Director of Wellspring Community Church in Des Moines.

Mary's artistic mission includes building a strong and acclaimed songwriting community in Des Moines.

Press Quote:

"Singer-songwriter Mary McAdams might as well have been flown in as a headliner at this year's Iowa Women's Music Festival. She was a gem in our lineup and a amazing talent right from our own backyard. We hope to have her back again! - Lisa Schreihart, 2010 Co-Producer, Iowa Women's Music Festival"

Press Quote:

'Mary McAdams brings a mother's love and a lover's passion to the 10 original compositions on this Iowa-based release. Mary can serve up slow and saucy roadhouse blues, earnest Americana roots rockin' or a lullabye ballad with equal authenticity. From the funky piano fills of 'Greed' to the simple guitar picking of 'Fourth of July' ' you'll fall in love with the subjects in Mary's songs.'

GIG CALENDAR: www.marymcadams.com/shows