Mary McCaslin

Mary McCaslin represents an unbroken link between traditional American folksingers and today's "new folk" singer-songwriters. Known for her songs about the West, its landscape, and its outlaws as well as her insightful songs about relationships, Mary has influenced countless other performers. For many years before her current solo career, Mary toured with legendary singer Jim Ringer. Together they helped keep folk music on the map through some very lean years.

Mary was a pioneer of open tunings, using them long before they gained their current popularity. In addition to her flawless fingerpicking style on the guitar, Mary also plays "clawhammer" banjo using it to great (and unique) effect on such unlikely songs as "Blackbird" and "Pinball Wizard." These and other personalized arrangements of popular songs have consistently added to her appeal.

In April of 1994 Philo / Rounder released BROKEN PROMISES , Mary's first recording of new material since 1980. On this album Mary takes a striking turn inward and tells her own story. With the release of "Broken Promises", Mary McCaslin reclaims her place among the most original and talented singer-songwriters of the folk and acoustic genre.