mean mary

Booking Inquiries: louise@rockwoodbooking.com

Award-winning musician/writer and fan favorite (over 40 million views on her YouTube videos), Mean Mary literally grew up in music. She evolved from a child prodigy who played for tips on the streets of Nashville (“startling talent,” said The Tennessean) to a seasoned performer and headliner of over 4,000 festivals and concerts (“the voice of a ragged angel combined with the banjo playing of the devil,” says No Depression).

Her latest album, Woman Creature (Portrait of a Woman, Part 2), was named Country Music People's #1 Critics' Choice Album of 2024, and her recording of "Wayfaring Stranger" was recently featured in the feature film Hellfire starring Stephen Lang, Dolph Lundgren, and Harvey Keitel.

Deering Banjos named her their Goodtime Ambassador, and Janet Deering describes her banjo playing as giving her “chills.” Equally versatile on guitar, fiddle, and eight other instruments, Mary is known internationally for her lightning-fast fingers, haunting vocals, and intricate story songs. As a high-energy performer who thrives on variety—and a songwriter who chooses unusual subject matter—anything from ghost pirates to demon guitars could romp through a Mean Mary show.

“Mean Mary James is an extraordinarily talented multi-instrumentalist perhaps best known for her lightning fast banjo, but also masterful on fiddle and guitar.”
-No Depression

“From the first time we heard Mean Mary’s music we at Deering have been fans.”
-Janet Deering, Co-founder, Deering Banjos

“Her personality and energy light up the room and the crowd goes crazy.”
-Chris Lash, Producer and Host of the Old-Time Jamboree, Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center