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Mark May Band

Rank #4 Johnstown, OH Blues / R&B / Classic Rock

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About

Members: Mark May, Dave Absalom - 2nd guitar, Tim Keefe - bass, Gary Jorgenson - drums

Sounds Like: Albert Collins, Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Derek Trucks

Label: Bad Fork Records, Flyin Dog Records

Manager: Mark May, Abby Owen Agency

Bio: Release My Soul, the 5th cd from Mark May (former guitarist and vocalist for Dickey Betts and Great Southern), is jam-packed with traditional blues, blues-rock and soulful ballads.
Perfecting his craft playing rough and tumble biker bars and blues clubs in Houston, Texas for over 20 years, Mark r... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

We had a BLAST in Memphis! Hope to see some of you out at the festivals. Go to www.markmay.com for complete 2013 tour schedule. ~ Mark

Press

“Blessed with a soulful voice that can do justice to whatever he chooses to sing Mr. May understands the power of spacing and his innate feel for soul filled vocals are pleasing on the ear. His guitar work, ranges from funky-back beat styled riffs to subtle soft harmonic laced work and even visits the plain old 'nasty station' all with equal aplomb and grace needed.”

— ChefJimi Patricola, Blues411

“Mark has earned his wings playing in mean ol’ Texas for over 20 years, to most of us is his stint most prominent stint was with Dickey Betts & Great Southern. With this, his 5th CD release, Mr. May has refined his sound and melded it into an oriflamme of what can happen when Southern Rock meets the Blues head on and become one.”

— ChefJimi Patricola, Blues411

“Throughout this disc, May’s voice is smooth and pleasing enough for the ballads, with just the right amount of sincerity and gravel to handle the blues. Release My Soul by the Mark May Band did touch my soul with its search for the hard truth in life and its pure, emotion-laden beauty.”

— Sheila Skilling, Blues Blast Magazine

“This CD (May’s 5th) starts off with a fun tune that will rock your socks off, “Six Strings or Two Legs.” The cute and clever – though likely somewhat true – lyrics of this honky-tonk song basically tell you that the singer is “a woman-lovin’ blues man,” and don’t be expecting him to mow the lawn or do chores around the house. But in his defense, he says he’ll “be the bar tonight, if you want to hear some blues.” In this song, you’ll hear some classic Hammond B3 organ, and some really nice slide guitar, as well as a duel between their harmonica and their two lead guitars, playing in harmony. I found this technique, no doubt adapted from Dickey Betts and the Allman Brothers, to be a Mark May Band trademark.”

— Sheila Skilling, Blues Blast Magazine

“It seems the phrase “blew me away” is overused to the point of losing its clout, so I’m going to raise the stakes and say that Release My Soul, a new CD by the Mark May Band, touched my soul.”

— Sheila Skilling, Blues Blast Magazine

"Mark May is far and away one of the most talented and passionate bluesmen I've ever had the pleasure to listen to. His songs work their way into your very soul...in a way that makes you feel naughty for liking them so much. His licks are like narcotic...you simply can't wait for that next hit."

— Sue Leighton, Program Director/Host of "Blue Monday", QFM96

"Equal part blues man and southern rocker, Mark has just released his fifth disc entitled "Release My Soul", his most ambitious and stylistically diverse project to date. Eleven original tracks that showcase his talent to pen strong melodic songs, featuring warm confident vocals and stinging guitar work and instrumentation. If you dig your blues with an attitude, you owe it to yourself to check this one out."

— The Blues Hound, 90.1 FM KPFT

“I used to go stay with my aunt and uncle, because they lived close, and my aunt had a record collection. She had a BB King album “Live In Cook County Jail”. And she used to say, you learn to play like BB King and I’ll come see you play! ~ Mark May”

— Abby Owen, American Blues News

"When I heard the first CD, Call on the Blues, I was blown away! Mark is one of the best blues-rock artists to come along in years. With great singing/song-writing and guitar playing, he reminds me of everyone from Albert Collins to Stevie Ray to Carlos Santana. Hell, I even heard a couple of my licks in there!"

— Dickey Betts, Hittin' The Note

"With the help of a few Houston lynchpins, we set about to whip these gold bars side-by-side to see whether older was better. Mark May has toured with Dickie Betts and made a name as a guitar man on his own..."

— Nathaniel Riverhorse Nakadate, Vintage Guitar

"Mark's originals flow as effortlessly into the mix reminding one of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana and some of the older blues greats who found just the right bluesy tune to carry a simple message, a message of good ol' down home blues."

— Abby Owen, American Blues News

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Recent Blogs

Mark May Band Listed on Tex...
Apr 19, 2013
We are exited to be listed on this great Texas Blues site as one of Texas' own o... [more]

Check out a recent Vintage ...
Oct 19, 2009
http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=3138 [more]

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Cick to buy 'Release ...

Songs

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Six Strings And Two…

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Move On

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I Gotta Know

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Eyes Of India

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Release My Soul

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Videos

Mark May Band & Soul Satyr Horns - Lights Are On But Nobody's Home

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Shows

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Fri
Jun 7

Jackson Bluesfest
Jackson, MI, US | 6:00pm
Jackson Bluesfest
Jackson, MI, US
Fri Jun 07 6:00pm
Details

We are proud and thankful to be able to announce that the 12th Jackson Bluesfest will again take place at the Jackson County Airport June 6, 7 and 8 2013. Presented by Planet Fitness, sponsored by Driven Motors of Jackson as well as many other Jackson-based businesses. The support shown for this community event has been a special source of pride as well as an indispensable component of this event’s survival. Truly, we have moved past survival and put together an amazing festival! Despite hard times for most all of Michigan’s residents and businesses, the festival has been embraced and continues to grow. Thank you all.
Sat
Jun 8

Mudflats Bar & Grill
Galena, OH, US | 8:30pm
Mudflats Bar & Grill
Galena, OH, US
Sat Jun 08 8:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Sat
Jun 15

Creekside Blues & Jazz …
Gahanna, OH, US | 5:00pm
Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest...
Gahanna, OH, US
Sat Jun 15 5:00pm
Details

The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival is a three day cultural celebration featuring hundreds of musicians, delicious cuisine, artisans from the region, amusement rides and engaging family activities. The event started fifteen years ago as a one day dedication of Gahanna’s new Creekside Park area and the beginning of Olde Gahanna’s revitalization. The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival has experienced unprecedented growth in attendance and has truly become more than the celebration of music, food and fun; it has become a premiere family summer event.
Fri
Jun 28

Pit Stop Lounge
Columbus, OH, US | 9:30pm
Pit Stop Lounge
Columbus, OH, US
Fri Jun 28 9:30pm
Sat
Aug 3

CANAL WINCHESTER BLUES …
Canal Winchester, OH, US | 1:00pm
CANAL WINCHESTER BLUES...
Canal Winchester, OH, US
Sat Aug 03 1:00pm
Details

A two day summer street celebration featuring live blues music, world-class ribs, a wide variety of quality non-rib food options, locally crafted items/art, children's activities, and a beer garden for our Blues/Rib-loving friends 21 and over.

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Big Gene & Danny Lee...
Sounded great in Memphis guys!!
Claus Stender
Mark is a great artist and one of the best guitar players in the blues rock circus. In addition he has a soulful voice. And Mark hasn't a bad record out. All of them are reall...
Big Gene & Danny Lee...
I saw that y'all will be competing in Memphis for the IBC. See you there!!! Good luck!
BadgerStatic
Great Tracks Here!
Lucia
Love it!!!
Dave Muskett
Awesome guitar Mark. Glad to find ya. Dave