Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, John Lennon, Joan Baez, John Prine, Gillian Welch, Dan Fogelberg, REM, Greg Allman, The Marshall Tucker Band, Ray LaMontagne, David Gray, Deb Talan, Edie Carey, the amazing Bay Area music scene and all of its beauty ... countless folk festivals and songwriters ... nature, redwood trees, everything green, blue, the fog, the rain, the wild ... the earth in its simplicity, humble kindness ... where humanity exists, hills, meadows, the country, the sea, love ... lost love, the road, acoustic instruments, real cowboys, farmers, my father, the Divine ... which makes it all possible.
I walked around with a violin much of my youth. It was my soul mate. Then we broke up. It was somewhere between learning three chords on a friend’s used guitar in London in 1990 and seeing John Prine live at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 1999 that it hit me. My soul said, “That’s what I want to do.” I listened. After some guitar lessons and teaching myself how to finger pick listening to “You Got Gold” by John Prine one million times something clicked. One night around that time the washer and dryer went down in the building I was living in on California Street in San Francisco. I loaded up two huge loads of laundry in my car and drove down to the laundromat at 22nd and California. After loading the laundry, I walked across the street to the Bazaar Café. I’d never been there before, and as fate would have it, a gal named Edie Carey was singing her clever and beautiful songs. I was struck by lightning. I was home. As my laundry collected mildew for hours, I was in songwriter bliss. The muse kept finding me again and again until finally the songs came out and together. I am so grateful for the muse … the Divine. Songwriting is always a work in progress as is life and is a true labor of love. I am a perfectionist and a feeler. It feels so good to finally have that place to go to whenever I need to channel love, heartache or whatever else calls at the moment. I am on this journey, and as much as I’d like to say I chose it, it chose me. It is my hope that a bit of truth resonates for you within my songs and my story. We are only human until we are called back to that place where there is no time. Life is short and so very precious. Thank you for listening.
MY BIO FOR FANCY FOLKS
Soulful, rustic sounds of love, heartache, and nature, San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Mary Elizabeth Beckman sings from her heart and soul. Mary Elizabeth writes ballads of truth, longing and passion. She is a storyteller who brings you to the epicenter of your own emotions. Mary Elizabeth’s North Carolina farming roots as well as her love of traditional folk music reflect her passionate yet earthy, unique vocal and songwriting style.
Mary Elizabeth won Best Song for “Synchronicity” at the May 2004 West Coast Songwriter’s Association showcase in San Francisco. Her song “All the Way to Blue” is featured in Bazaar Café Music Stew, Volume 2, San Francisco. Mary Elizabeth just released a collection of songs spanning 2004-2008. A CD release and tour is scheduled for the spring of 2010.
REVIEWS
"Mary Elizabeth Beckman is a gifted singer, songwriter, and acoustic guitar player. Her voice is at once clear, strong, and calming. Her song lyrics are personal; they go right to the heart." - Bread & Roses
"Mary Elizabeth Beckman's soothing melodies of acoustic folk enticed a group of 20-something shoppers to stay and listen." - The New Fillmore, San Francisco
Mary Elizabeth, Thank YOU for being part of Bazaar-Stock. What an amazing day! Thank you for bringing the roots/country vibe :-) i hope to see you soon! kc
thanks a lot Mary!! I appreciate it much love and respect to my fellow musician :D would you like some free song downloads? I have a way to get them to you using gmail....I don't need your email address though, I make it so you can grab them whenever you have time. just send me a message with the subject "downloads" and I'll take care of ya :) let me know D
You are TOO sweet! Thanks for finding me!! We need to do a show together... Hit me up: Kylewilliamsatab@aol.com, or just here on myspace. Have a lovely day!
Hey Mary Elizabeth, so nice to see you and hear you play on Saturday! I hope to see you again at the Ali Handal/Kyler England house concert! Here's a pic from Saturday...I hope to get a blog up of it one of these days! luv Nusi xo P.S. Click on the pic to see a larger image and also to see some other pics I took at that show!
It was really nice to see you at the show last Friday, and thank you! I am horribly shy and find it extremely hard to meet people, so I am very appreciative! Hope you are having a great weekend, the weather is fabulous! Cheers, Nusi xo
Sistah, I remember that song. Right on and write on. It is so good to see you out here AND to know that we haven't lost touch. Who new two acoustic gals would find each other on myspace.
