NEW COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST
By Ray Shasho
-Interviewed on July
15th 2014
Country Music’s
talented, young, and beautiful new star is nineteen year old Mary Sarah. Her
latest CD would surely appease the aspirations of any artist, to perform with
an incredible lineup of music legends. It’s a page right out of a storybook
that began with a tweet from Joe Bonsalland
an invite to perform with The Oak Ridge Boys onstage
at the Opera House in Galveston, Texas. Four years later… Mary Sarah and Cleopatra Records release
the critically acclaimed…Mary Sarah and Friends ‘BRIDGES’ CD
-featuring Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Ray Price,Merle Haggard, Lynn Anderson, Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Vince Gill, Ronnie Milsap, Neil Sedaka & many more.
Mary Sarah performed duets with all the performers including the late Ray
Price. The album was officially released on July 8th and
available to purchase at amazon.com.
MARY
SARAH: began performing in
church at the age of eight. Mary’s hometown is Richmond, Texas. She later
appeared at various Opry Theatres, Town Squares, charity fund raisers, and
radio stations. At twelve years old she toured the U.S. for six months as a
featured lead vocalist and dancer with Kidz Bop,
a brand of compilation albums spotlighting kids performing popular hits from
the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The
Kidz Bop tour was
an 18- song concert produced by Razor & Tie Records and Vee
Corporation.
In 2011, Mary hosted a
four part series called “Opry on the Square- Country Now and Then”in
Sugarland Town Square.
Mary
Sarah also
became a seasoned veteran at singing National Anthems, over fifty to be exact,
so it was no surprise when she became the winner of a vote-in contest that led
her to sing theNational Anthem at a Houston
Texans/Carolina Panthers football game in front of over 70,000 people.
‘BRIDGES’ is an exciting new CD that delivers the
true spirit of country music. Mary Sarah’s duets are captivating &
inspiring … there’s definitely a new rising star in the world of country music!
I gave ‘BRIDGES’ (5) Stars!
Track
listings: -Mary
Sarah and Friends ‘BRIDGES’
1) “Jolene” (feat. Dolly Parton), 2) “Crazy” (feat. Willie Nelson), 3) “Fightin’ Side of Me” (feat. Merle Haggard), 4) “Heartaches By The Number” (feat. Ray Price), 5) “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (feat. Vince Gill), 6) “Dream On” (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys), 7) “Texas, When I Die”(feat. Tanya Tucker), 8) “Rose Garden” (feat. Lynn Anderson), 9) “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life” (feat. Ronnie Milsap), 10) “Where The Boys Are” (feat. Neil Sedaka)
1) “Jolene” (feat. Dolly Parton), 2) “Crazy” (feat. Willie Nelson), 3) “Fightin’ Side of Me” (feat. Merle Haggard), 4) “Heartaches By The Number” (feat. Ray Price), 5) “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (feat. Vince Gill), 6) “Dream On” (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys), 7) “Texas, When I Die”(feat. Tanya Tucker), 8) “Rose Garden” (feat. Lynn Anderson), 9) “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life” (feat. Ronnie Milsap), 10) “Where The Boys Are” (feat. Neil Sedaka)
Bonus
Cuts: 11) “My Great Escape” (feat. John Rich and Big Kenny),
12) “All I Wanna Do Is Sing My Song” (feat. Freddy
Powers), 13) “I’m Sorry”
Back in July, I had
the warm opportunity to chat with Mary Sarah about…
The new ‘Bridges’ CD … Singing with music legends … Mary’s relationship with
The Oak Ridge Boys …Singing the National Anthem…The future… My infamous ‘Field
of Dreams’ question … and much-much more!
Here’s my interview
with the sensational young country singer & songwriter
Ray
Shasho: Hello Mary thank you for being
on the call today, I’m calling you only minutes away from beautiful Siesta
Beach in Sarasota today.
Mary
Sarah: “Oh my God, I am so jealous. I’m about twenty
five minutes outside of Nashville in Franklin.”
Ray
Shasho: I chatted with Joe Bonsall awhile back, he’s such a great guy. I
understand that The Oak Ridge Boys performed on your new CD entitled
‘Bridges’?
Mary
Sarah: “I love Joe Bonsall he’s like family to me
now. Kind of a funny story, it was actually about four years ago before the
‘Bridges’ project that they tweeted me. I don’t know from where Joe tweeted me
but he said I know you live in Houston and we’re going to be playing in
Galveston at the Opera House and we would like you and your family to come
along. At first, I had no idea that the Oak Ridge Boys even tweeted, so I
thought, is this real? (All laughing) He had watched my You Tube video. So we
made a trip to come down, and I watched rehearsals and then we all went to
dinner. At dinner I remember Joe looking at me and he said can you really sing
a cappella? I had sung “Where the Boys Are” by Connie Francis and had done a
cappella several times, so it was like my go to song. At dinner I told him that
I would stand up and sing for him, which I thought was very funny. He looked at
me and said, no-no-no, I mean; I want you to sing at the show tonight. (All
laughing)”
“At that time I was
fifteen years old and kind of freaking out that The Oak Ridge Boys wanted me to
sing at their sold-out show in Galveston while not even hearing me sing live in
front of them? So it was absolutely amazing and really cool for them to do. I
give a lot of credit to them and especially to this project. We sent me singing
“Where the Boys Are” on that stage to pretty much every artist, which was very
cool.”
Ray
Shasho: This all must be one huge wonderful blur for
you?
Mary
Sarah: “Now that the CD
is released it really is. It’s exciting because we all worked so hard on it and
to finally show it to the world and get their opinions on it is just unbelievable.”
Ray
Shasho: I know the Oak Ridge Boys are a favorite of yours, who else did
you especially connect with in the studio while working on the CD?
Mary
Sarah: “I have to say all of them because they were
all absolutely amazing and especially because they did all this on a handshake,
which is crazy. I would probably say if I had to pick … Ray Price. It was a
very special experience and especially in the studio with him that day. I was
fifteen too, so it was a couple of months after I sang with The Oak Ridge Boys.
“Heartaches by the Number” was one of my favorite songs to sing at the Opera in
Texas and immediately when Ray got on the CD I said we’re totally doing “Heartaches
by the Number” and I hoped he’d say yes because that’s my favorite-favorite
song. And so to get to stand in the studio and hear him sing it live was like
none other and just a magical experience. I remember I was very nervous and
when he walked into the studio that day, I think everybody was nervous, but
there was something about him that calmed the whole room.”
“Another one is Dolly
Parton who was the first one to get on the project. I’m standing in one room
and I know she’s in the other room and I’m just freaking out. I’m thinking to
myself… what do I say to Dolly Parton? I just remember being so nervous and I
couldn’t think of anything. So I’m walking down this hall to go into the room
and I see her through the window door and I feel like my heart dropped down
into my stomach. So I walked in and she said, “You must be Mary Sarah?” And I
was like well you must be Dolly Parton? After the whole experience I talked
with my mom and asked her, did I say anything that embarrassed me? I don’t
think I remembered exactly what I said to her. All my experiences with those
legends were so amazing.”
Ray
Shasho: Another country artist I’d like
to interview is Reba McEntire, I think she’s so cool.
Mary
Sarah: “Oh My Gosh, my Brother is a huge Reba fan, he
says if I ever meet her I’m just going to get down on one knee and marry her.
(All laughing) Yea, we listen to Reba a lot.”
Ray
Shasho: Mary, you made your first
splash on the music scene in Kidz Bop?
Mary
Sarah: “Yes, I was twelve years old and on tour for
about six months across the east coast and Midwest and was one of the craziest
experiences of my life, because at twelve years old I never expected to be on
tour. The coolest thing about Kidz Bop was when I was in a theater; I think it
was the Fox Theatre in Detroit, and we were in the basement area and there were
signatures all over the walls, and I remember seeing Patsy Cline’s signature on
the wall, which for over a year I had been singing Patsy’s songs and really
looked up to her as an idol. The funny thing was, all the other kids my age
didn’t know who Patsy Cline was. So I was freaking out by the fact that Patsy
Cline’s signature was on the wall while the other kids were asking me why are
you freaking out? (All laughing) It was just a great feeling that day, seeing
her signature on the wall and then knowing I was going to sing onstage where
she sang.”
“So I go out to sing
and we each had a solo. After I began singing my solo everyone in the audience
began singing along with me and it sounded like a choir of angels, and for me
it was an overwhelming feeling of joy. I remember coming offstage and saying to
my mom… I don’t know what happened but I’m going to do this for the rest of my
life. My mom was probably thinking, oh My Gosh; she’s only twelve years old and
already knows what she wants to do for the rest of her life … (All laughing)
okay let’s see how this goes. So it was really a big moment for me and ever
since then I’ve been working hard at it.”
Ray
Shasho: What song did you sing onstage?
Mary
Sarah: “Move Along” by
The All-American Rejects. I had the bridge part of it where it sort of breaks
down, and you can find that on You Tube.”
Ray
Shasho: Was ‘Crazy Good’ actually your debut album?
Mary
Sarah: “I really wanted to
explore my own sound and try my hand in writing, and so that was kind of an
experimental album to try and figure out who I was at fourteen years old. So I
would say it was kind of a debut album and at the same time just an album I did
to figure out who I was. Starting the writing process and things like that.”
Ray
Shasho: It’s a really good album and I especially
enjoyed the title track “Crazy Good,” just an awesome tune.
Mary
Sarah: “Thank you! You know what’s funny is a couple
years after releasing it; I never thought people would go back and listen to
it. People would say I love your song “Crazy Good,” so it’s really cool that
people really like it.”
Ray
Shasho: Are you musically committed to a Country Music route or will you
be experimenting with other genres?
Mary
Sarah: “I love Country
Music and I’ve sang in the Texas Opry for years. A big part of me is
traditional Country Music … so yes, I am sticking with Country Music.”
Ray
Shasho: Mary what are some of your favorite TV shows.
Mary
Sarah: “One of my
favorite TV shows is ‘Bones’ … that and ‘New Girl.’
Ray
Shasho: Here’s a question that all the
young guys out there are going to want to know about you … Do you have a
boyfriend?
Mary
Sarah: “I do have a boyfriend and it’s actually a
long-distance relationship. Originally he lived in Kansas City, Kansas, he goes
to Southeast Missouri State University for football now, and he’s an outside
linebacker. We met through my cousin who lives in Kansas City; they went to the
same school.”
Ray
Shasho: Are you in college or considering attending
college soon?
Mary
Sarah: “No, I’m actually not
in college at this time. I kind of consider what I am doing is my college
because I feel like I’ve learned just as much as a college student and getting
to live it at the same time. So I really feel like I am in college.”
Ray
Shasho: There was controversy surrounding the Houston Texans when you sang
the National Anthem at NRG Stadium … Carolina Panther Jeremy Shockey was upset
that the Houston Texans players were not respecting your rendition of the
anthem?
Mary
Sarah: “I sang the National Anthem for the
Texans game and I was very surprised to see that happen. I went out there to
sing it and to hear everything that happened afterwards was like …what the
heck? So it was pretty crazy. When I walked out to sing the anthem I walked
along the sidelines and there was a huge speaker playing music to 70,000
people, so it was extremely loud. I walked right past it and it literally
blasted my ears. When I went out to sing the anthem I actually sang it a whole
step higher than I usually do. I think it was the best National Anthem that I
ever did but probably would not do it again because it was very
nerve-wracking.”
Ray
Shasho: I think the National Anthem is a difficult
song to sing, especially in front of 70,000 people. What were the acoustics
like while singing it … was there an echo?
Mary
Sarah: “I have done a ton of National Anthems, so
when I got to the Texans, I had done at least fifty National Anthems before
that, so I’m kind of used to the bouncing back and things like that, but the
Texans had the roof closed so it really made the sound bounce around a lot. It
was a little funky but I’ve had worst I think. I did the Bristol Motor Speedway
and that was a little funky because the speakers were way-way up in the air.”
Ray
Shasho: Mary do you continue to write music?
Mary
Sarah: “I do … I’m
working on some new stuff. Now that we have the CD released and it’s out there,
it’s time to work on the newer stuff. I’m excited about finding a great
producer to work with, and I’m writing a lot while hoping to get some really
great songs on the next project.”
Ray
Shasho: I am essentially a classic rock music
journalist … do you also enjoy the occasional rock song?
Mary
Sarah: “I’m a big fan
of Journey. My dad introduced me to Journey and ever since we’ve gone to so
many of their concerts. Of course my anthem song is “Don’t Stop Believin’” just
like everybody else’s, but I love all of their songs.”
Ray
Shasho: Freddy Powers had quite an influence on your career?
Mary
Sarah: “Freddy and I
were introduced about four years ago and he is the executive producer on the
new CD. I give him a ton of credit on this because he really took a leap
of faith with me. We actually had Dolly Parton first and Freddy came on right
after Dolly and said that I really want to help you out with this project. So
he brought Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, and Merle Haggard to the CD and really
used a lot of his relationships to make this happen. He’s actually in stage 4
Parkinson’s, so it’s kind of his last project to do. I would say I’m the lucky
singer that got to do it. He and his wife Catherine have been a blessing in my
life.”
Ray
Shasho: You’ll be doing some dates with Merle Haggard?
Mary
Sarah: I’m pretty sure I’ll be opening up especially
in La Grange, Texas and getting to sing our song together. We’re still figuring
out additional dates on the schedule.
Ray
Shasho: Mary, here’s a question that I ask everyone that I interview. If
you had a ‘Field of Dreams’ wish like the movie, to sing or collaborate with
anyone from the past or present, who would that be?
Mary
Sarah: “Oh My Gosh! I
think Patsy Cline. I read up on all the things she used to do and how spunky
she was, so it would be really cool to meet and talk with her. She said a lot
of the things she did was to just kind of go with the flow. That would be
someone from the past. Someone in the present would be Eric Church… I’m a big
fan of his. It would be really cool to collaborate with him.”
Ray
Shasho: I understand that you are an advocate for Juvenile Diabetes?
Mary
Sarah: “Yes, my brother
was actually born at one pound and a half and had several surgeries. By the
time he was fourteen, he developed type 1 diabetes and ended up having a liver
transplant. He’s actually twenty five now and doing very-very well. We’re
always doing walks for ‘JDRF’ and anything we can do to support it. Another
foundation that I am currently working with is ‘Caiden’s Hope,’ which they are
an organization who supports families who have babies in the NICU. My mom
actually raised my brother who was in an NICU for six months. So she went through
a lot of that struggle. It’s an amazing organization.”
Ray
Shasho: Mary, anything else you’d like to
promote or say?
Mary
Sarah: “I wanted to
thank ‘Cleopatra Records’ because they were the ones who distributed the
‘Bridges’ project.”
Ray
Shasho: Mary, thank you for being on the call today … you are
unquestionably Country Music’s shining new star, an incredible singer, a
beautiful girl, and a marvelous personality to boot. We’ll all be looking for
great and wonderful developments to take place during your musical career.
Mary
Sarah: “Thank you so much for interviewing me today …
I had a blast!”
Purchase
Mary Sarah’s latest CD released
on Cleopatra Records entitled ‘BRIDGES’ featuring appearances by The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Lynn Anderson, Tanya Tucker, Vince Gill, Ronnie
Milsap, Neil Sedaka and more. BRIDGES’ is an exciting new CD that
delivers the true spirit of country music. Mary Sarah’s duets are captivating
& inspiring … there’s definitely a new rising star in the world of country
music!
Track
listings:
1) “Jolene” (feat. Dolly Parton), 2) “Crazy” (feat. Willie Nelson), 3) “Fightin’ Side of Me” (feat. Merle Haggard), 4) “Heartaches By The Number” (feat. Ray Price), 5) “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (feat. Vince Gill), 6) “Dream On” (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys), 7) “Texas, When I Die”(feat. Tanya Tucker), 8) “Rose Garden” (feat. Lynn Anderson), 9) “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life” (feat. Ronnie Milsap), 10) “Where The Boys Are” (feat. Neil Sedaka)
1) “Jolene” (feat. Dolly Parton), 2) “Crazy” (feat. Willie Nelson), 3) “Fightin’ Side of Me” (feat. Merle Haggard), 4) “Heartaches By The Number” (feat. Ray Price), 5) “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (feat. Vince Gill), 6) “Dream On” (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys), 7) “Texas, When I Die”(feat. Tanya Tucker), 8) “Rose Garden” (feat. Lynn Anderson), 9) “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life” (feat. Ronnie Milsap), 10) “Where The Boys Are” (feat. Neil Sedaka)
Bonus
Cuts: 11) “My Great Escape” (feat. John Rich and Big Kenny),
12) “All I Wanna Do Is Sing My Song” (feat. Freddy
Powers), 13) “I’m Sorry”
JDRF
Improving Lives Curing Type 1 Diabetes visit the site at ...
Caiden’s
Hope Foundation visit the site at ...
Very
special thanks to ‘the great’ Billy James of Glass Onyon PR
COMING UP NEXT … Don Wilson guitarist,
pioneer, and co-founder of ‘The Ventures’ …
and Folk/Rock singer & songwriter Jonathan Edwards (“Sunshine”).
Contact music
journalist Ray Shasho at
rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com
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