Audrey
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up in the coastal town of Mandeville, La. A city life mainly with summers spent in the country. A wonderful blending of cultures. The musical styles varied as much as the foods we ate.
I grew up in a musical family... A few played the radio or vinyl. Some played 8 tracks and others cassettes. Actually most people in my family play an instrument and sing. Various styles... from jazz, blues, classical, gospel, country, bluegrass, rock, and latin. If there was a class for something you can bet my mother had me in it.. ADHD.. what's that? Who knew a person could acquire it! I moved through so many things I hardly realized I did something new. Dancing, playing, singing and acting since around the age of 5... Piano, clarinet, bass, guitar... Art classes. Writing practice in the summers with my grandmother. But I loved everything! Still do. Yes, I can bail hay and sing opera... Maybe at the same time..
At some point being a professional student had to end.. I don’t really think it has ever ended for me. I still take college courses.
In 1995 , I moved to Nashville to play upright bass and sing with a bluegrass group "The Calvins". The late Jim Calvin, former New Christy Minstrel and his wife Royann Cooper Calvin of Covington, Louisiana. I would play upright bass and sing with the two at a place called 5 Lakes in Bush, La. Lots of pickers in those parts. That was back in the hay day of the Abita Opry. At that time in my life I played piano but it was strictly classical in origin and definitely was not improvisational. The Calvins’ asked me to find a bass. The strings are g,d,a & e and come play Dollywood for a season. Fortunately for me the left hand on the piano is Bass. Four weeks later I found myself in Pigeon Forge with a bass. What fun we had. In Nashville we would play the Long Hollow Jamboree (which was right down the street from Bill Monroe’s homeplace), Ernest Tubbs Midnight Jamboree, and after the Grand Ole Opry would let out at the Bellcove.
many many places…Pickin parties with Towns Van Zandt, Jimmy Martin, tons of folks. On occasion, I'd play with Bluegrass Legend, Bill Monroe. He, in fact, could not pronounce my name Andréa and that is how "Audrey", "Audrey Malone" was born. He used to call me the grand ole Audrey. After a couple of stalkers it didn’t take long to realize I probably should have a stage name, an unlisted phone number and address. Yes, that blue moon is still shining.
Various other bands followed:
The Auditease
------ROCKABILLY (Andrew Henderson, Kelly Bramberger)
Audrey Malone & the Rhythm Kings
------JUMP SWING ORIGINALS/COVERS
(Michael Evans, Greg Smith, Johnny Heinrich, Carco Clave, John Richards, Laura Carter-Cash, Rich Redmond, James Ingle, Lee Thomas, Brooks Haynes, Mark “Smiley” Shenkel, Tom Cerone) (Swingtown released 1999, hepcat),
AppleScruffs
------60'S BRITISH ROCK COVER BAND(Amy Rigby, Sherri Rich, Jerry Roe)
Audrey Malone & CowPie
------ORIGINAL COUNTRY (Dave Roe, Kenny Vaughn, Greg Wetzel, Jack Irwin, Ric Lonow, Jerry Roe, Wayne Bridge, Tony Paoletta, Mike Baker (with numerous guests-Chuck Meade, Davis Raines, Phil Lee, Gretchen Cline)
Take It or Leave It, limited release 2004, Grail Records.
Methods of Maddness
------ORIGINAL ROCK (Ed Cain, Rodney Edmondson)
Musique du Jour released 2006, Grail Records
The Naughty Skool Girls
------ORIGINAL COMICAL/AVANT-GARDE (Pru Clearwater, Jill Block, Deidre Wilson, Nancy Terzian, Stacey Schlitz)
Audrey Malone & Michael Evans,
------ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS, A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER to be released 2009, Grail Records. (Martin Lynds, Jen Gunderman, Dann Sherrill, Betty Ashton-Andrews, Rusty Russell, Johnny Heinrich) I think this is probably my best work ever. This started out being my planned saving grace for the holiday season.. Sometimes when you lose something you just may find something a little different.. This is that something different. Because it has a life of it's own...
I have been fortunate to perform with many tremendous players and artists through the years.....I’ve been in several commercials. I was even extra special in the movie; Everybodies All American. I sing and write jingles. Most importantly: May the energies from the heavens continue to flow through me. shhh! I’m stoked... I have been blessed with the opportunity to write the music for a Broadway Musical...
Michael Evans
A native of Greensboro, N.C.
spent his childhood skateboarding and playing army. Inspired by Les Paul and Mary Ford he started playing guitar. Other influences include Jimmy Page and Brian Setzer. Music from cartoons, commercials and television shows greatly influenced him as well. In high school he studied music and started an original rock band called Madd Hatter. After college he worked various jobs before moving to the musical mecca of Nashville in 1995. He helped formed Swing Thing in 1996 and later joined Audrey Malone and The Rhythm Kings in 1998. Early 2000’s were spent working on his original song catalogue. He continues to compose music with his latest being, A Holiday to Remember.
A.M. & M.E. have shared the stage with
98 degrees, Isaac Hayes and Collective Soul.
Many other people…
They are active with Musicians on Call. A non profit that caters to lifting the spirits of those that are hospitalized. The two are scheduled to perform for the second year in a row at one of the nations premiere Childrens' Hospital.
We would love for everyone to make this Christmas season
a Holiday to Remember.....
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