Album Notes

Starting with the "Arthur Godfrey Show" (her father's second cousin), and her brother, Todd Kelly, Mary was always surrounded by music." As a young child I was influenced by my brother with folk and country." Todd was a folk singer of the 1960's Greenwich Village/Bob Dylan days, who toured nationally until 1986 when he formed his own recording label, releasing numerous albums of various folk artists. Mary was instilled with her family's passion for music and found a desire to play bass. She was soon performing her own material in the Chicago area, where she was born and raised. From 1986 - 1992, she worked as a singer-songwriter with the band Faces of Emotion, receiving national press recognition and airplay. During this time, she was also co-owner of a record and management company, worked as a free-lance journalist and was appointed to a successful term as vice president of Midwest Women in Music (NARAS). Deciding it was time to focus on songwriting, Mary moved to Boston, MA in the winter of 1994. Shortly thereafter, she recorded a demo at Brown Sound, owned and operated by David Brown, former Billy Joel guitarist. In 1995, Mary negotiated a two-song mechanical license with Right Coast Records for the Jacque Chambers' release "Colors". Funds were distributed to Godfrey, enabling her to continue her craft of songwriting. In 1996, Mary again teamed up with Jacque to form the duo Lumina. They then recorded a four song demo which received four star reviews. Shortly there after, Mary formed Baylight Publishing. In the beginning of 1997, Lumina began performing in the Boston area as well as SXSW's Regional Round-Up in Austin, Texas.They also received a Billboard-Song Contest Honorable Mention for the song "Nothing" In the fall, Mary began performing as a soloist, covering ground from New England to her hometown of Chicago. Near the year's end she was hired as a freelance writer for two New England music publications; Metronome and Mixx Mag. During 1998 Ms.Godfrey began recording & co-producing her solo CD "Collage" at Cove Studios with engineer/producer Doug Brown. During this time she also attended many music conferences,performed nationally and spent time in Nashville. In 1999 Mary formed the MG Band, in which she plays bass, featuring Boston drummer John Newcomer, guitarist Masashi Nakamura with occasional guest appearances by Chicago-based flutist, Deana K. & violinist, Stephanie Fletcher. In addition to promoting her own material, Mary's publishing company, Baylight released a compilation CD "Take A Bite-It's Always Tasteful". Some cuts from this CD have been contracted and are now receiving airplay on an international film. Also in '99 , Mary spoke on one of the publishing panels at the New Orleans LMNOP Conference. In the fall of 2000 Mary released "Collage", now out on the Blue Turtle label. It is available at her live shows, & via the MG Website. Mary also relocated to Arizona, furthering her West Coast exposure. She continues to develop her songwriting talents, writing individually and in collaboration with fellow songwriters in Chicago, LA, Boston & Arizona. In 2001 Mary met Bob Buchan (drummer of Little Feat) & has started recording her next album with Bob (along with J. Newcomer, Masashi, Mike Garcia & others) at TornadoSound Studios in Austin, Texas. She is a member of ASCAP & WAMA.