Women In Blues feat. Carly Harvey and Mary Shaver & Bad Influence Band

Women In Blues Show

Get ready to groove to the rhythm of the blues, honoring the legendary female voices of blues history! From gritty blues to soul-stirring ballads and raw emotion, Mary Shaver & Carly Harvey will capture the essence of iconic blues like never before. Let their timeless classics and unforgettable hits ignite your spirit and move your soul.

Our show isn't just about the music—it's about community. Come together with fellow blues fans to celebrate a genre that has touched the lives of millions around the world. Whether you're a seasoned blues fan or just looking for a night of unforgettable music, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Take advantage of this electrifying night to celebrate the legacy of female blues icons such as Bonnie Raitt, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Janis Joplin, and many more. Feel the blues come alive in all its raw, authentic glory. Grab your tickets now and let the music move you.

MARY SHAVER

Two-time WAMMIE award-winning vocalist Mary Shaver has been singing all her life. She is first and foremost a blues artist influenced by the likes of Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton, and Etta James. She labels her own style as “Texas, Louisiana, and Chicago Blues meets Memphis Soul,” and local critics and musicians have likened her powerful voice to all her idols.

Mary identifies with musical genres that are honest, raw, and deep in emotion. She has found that in the blues, soul, R&B, and classic rock. Music is an all-consuming passion for Mary, evident in her high-energy performances.

Born and raised in Prince George’s County, MD, and now living in WV – Mary still calls the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area home and has a special affection for local audiences and outdoor venues. To see her play live is to experience Mary’s music truly. With complete focus, she becomes, in her own words, “entranced. All I know at that moment is what I’m singing and feeling from the band and the audience.” For her growing following of fans, that moment sounds just perfect.

CARLY HARVEY

Based in Washington, DC, Carly Harvey combines Blues, Jazz, Soul, and Americana roots styles to create a unique sound that recalls Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, and Nina Simone, with a little Ella Fitzgerald thrown in for good measure. In July 2018, Carly was featured in Big City Blues Magazine as one of the youngest Blues artists to watch.

Carly is a Three-time D.C. Blues Society Battle of the Bands Winner and was proclaimed D.C.'s Queen of the Blues in 2016 by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio. Her band, Kiss & Ride, represented Washington, D.C., in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2019, where they advanced to the semi-finals. In 2021, Carly was nominated seven times and won the WAMMIE award for Best Blues Artist/Band.

Carly is a Tsalagi and Tuscarora descendant. She believes that Blues not only comes from the African American experience but is actually directly influenced by Indigenous American MinorPentatonic Melodies and Stomp Dance Songs. She occasionally offers master classes to educate people about the music that gives her so much pride in her Afro-Indigenous heritage.

BAD INFLUENCE

Remaining at the forefront of the fiercely competitive blues and roots music scene in the mid-Atlantic region throughout three and a half decades is no small feat. Yet, the Bad Influence Band has achieved just that, solidifying its reputation locally and across the nation. Their secret? A winning combination of wildly entertaining, high-energy performances, extensive airplay, and four acclaimed albums.

Whether gracing the stage at a festival, commanding attention at the Kennedy Center, or leaving their mark on the legendary Beale Street in Memphis, this quartet, led by guitarist Michael Tash, harmonica virtuoso and singer Roger Edsall, bassist-vocalist Bob Mallardi, and drummer Joe Wells, never fail to captivate audiences. Their mastery of ensemble playing, infectious grooves, and original songwriting, coupled with sheer intensity, ensures that they are unabashed crowd-pleasers.

"The most important thing is that everybody has fun, the audience and us," explains bandleader Tash. "Whether we're playing an original song or a classic, we're going to put our hearts and souls into it in a way that people can hear, see and practically touch."

It’s clear that the Bad Influence Band's ability to connect with listeners on such a visceral level is a testament to their exceptional musicianship, undeniable chemistry, and relentless commitment to delivering performances that leave an indelible mark on the soul of everyone.