In 2013, Dixon produced their second release, Honey Man, which incorporated a fatter sound with guitar, drums, harmonica, and string arrangements. This appealed to a more mainstream audience, and Honey Man outsold its predecessor Red Wine by a factor of two while continuing to amass favorable reviews from across the globe.
Yonder Mountain’s Adam Aijala produced their most recent 2015 release, What I Did. Chuck Auerbach, who wrote the lyrics to the Black Keys song Hard Row, co-wrote the title track, “What I Did” with Hey Mavis.
Over the past five years, Hey Mavis has methodically ramped-up touring efforts, moving from humble porch concerts in the Cuyahoga Valley to successes that include a recent appearance on NPR’s Mountain Stage, two overflow shows at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, and seven consecutive sell-out concerts in their hometown of Akron Ohio.
“MARVELOUS—you heard words like that after Hey Mavis played two packed shows last June (2014) at the Little Theatre during the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival…This is a charming—and serious—banjo-driven sound…adds up to rocking Appalachian music from Akron, Ohio.”
-The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
Band Members
Laurie Michelle Caner (vocals, banjo, songwriting) is a homeschooling mom, a songwriter, and Ms. May in the 2015 Banjo Babes Calendar. She has been hailed as a role model for mothers who strive to honor their own artistic vision while continuing to raise a healthy family. Her banjo playing is of curious origin, but beautifully serves as a foundation for her lyrics. Laurie’s songwriting tells the story of life—with all of it’s beauty, heartache, disappointment and joy—weaving a musical tapestry that speaks the truth of love, life and the human condition.
Eddie Caner (violin, viola profunda) spent a dozen years performing as a sideman in national touring bands and orchestras, including Page & Plant, Luciano Pavarotti, Smokey Robinson, and Natalie Cole. Eddie always amazes the audience with his Hendrix-like tone and precision—he can soar beautifully over Laurie’s vocals or play a raucous, dirgy groove. He was once labeled by the legendary music critic Jane Scott as “the most versatile musician on the planet”. Eddie spends his free time as a physics instructor at Case Western Reserve University.
Bryan Thomas (bass) is a versatile and nationally well-respected musician. He studied Cuban music in Havana with Carlos Del Puerto, served as Ohio Arts Council guest artist-in-residence and toured as bassist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Bryan steals the show every time Hey Mavis performs. His playing is a wonderful body-rhythm-bass conversation, accented by his homemade “Chank-o-matic 6000”, a vintage, weathered tambourine affixed to a stand and pedal. Bryan currently holds the position of Bass Professor at Kent State University and is a sought-after clinician.
Anthony Taddeo is a drummer, composer and Out of the Drawer Percussion (ODP) performing artist. Anthony graduated with honors from The Newschool for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City and has performed with a wide variety of artists from all genres of music, including Melanie Charles, Nitzan Gavrieli, Rachel Brotman, and Tony & Grammy winner Steve Kazee.
Kevin Johnson graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelors in Music Performance. He spent five years traveling the continents playing music on various international cruise ship lines. He currently teaches and gigs in Northeast Ohio primarily on upright and electric bass, as well as guitar.
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