You can tell a lot about singer songwriter Mack Bailey by the musical company he keeps. Mack has been hailed as “the next great singer in folk music†by no less an authority than Glenn Yarbrough, the original tenor in the fabulous world-renowned folk trio, The Limeliters. Mack’s career came full circle when in 2004 he was asked to be the newest tenor in The Limeliters, with whom he now performs around the country.
Using John Denver’s music, Mack taught himself to play the guitar, so it was a thrill for Mack when he had the privilege of trading verses to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy†with Denver in front of 9000 people shortly before John’s death. Today, the Limeliters and John Denver continue to play an active role in Mack’s professional life, even as he pursues a successful musicial career with his wife, Rachel Levy.
Several of Denver’s former band members have also played on Mack’s albums, including Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger, Jim Horn, and Bill Danoff. Other music royalty has joined him as well: Mary Chapin Carpenter sang on his first album, which was produced by Bill Danoff of “Country Roads†and “Afternoon Delight†fame, and the Jordanaires contributed soulful background vocals on his album, Why I’m Here. Denver’s long-time producer, Kris O’Connor, produced Mack’s Through Your Eyes album. Most recently, prestigious musicians like Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, and Jack Pearson graced Mack’s album, Choose Your Attitude, which features Rachel.
For almost two decades, Mack has been a principle member of the reunited 60s group, The Hard Travelers, with whom he has recorded five albums. He has a rich history of major concert appearances having performed with or shared the stage as opener with a long list of folk and country stars including Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Kathy Mattea, Tom Rush, Tom Paxton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Leann Rimes, and John Denver confirming that indeed, Mack keeps very good musical company.
Mack also performs with his wife, Rachel Levy, and the duo have been likened to a “similar pairing 40 years ago of Gram Parsons and a very young Emmylou Harrisâ€. “Lucky Manâ€, written by Mack and Rachel, was chosen as a finalist in the 2006 mid-atlantic song contest in the country/bluegrass category and was also selected to be profiled in sing out! Magazine. In addition, this past fall “Lucky Man†was a feature song on NASCAR Angels. Mack and Rachel also co-penned “It’s Timeâ€, which has received critical acclaim from former Vice-President Al Gore, as promoting environmental awareness. Mack was awarded for his excellence with a WAMMIE for Best Traditional Folk Performer, and his song “High Gear†has been featured on NPR’s popular Car Talk.
Originally hailing from the small town of Troy, North Carolina, Mack attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and graduated with a degree in music performance. Besides writing, performing solo and in his two groups, and recording eight solo albums, Mack and Rachel are musically active in several medical and environmental causes, including Maryland Therapeutic Riding, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Starlight Starbright, and Challenge Aspen. Mack has also played in nursing homes and Alzheimer’s units playing group concerts and individual outreach, and he continues to enjoy working with school students on songwriting in their creative writing classes. Mack and Rachel currently reside in Denver, Colorado.Spa Creek Music ∙ www.mackbailey.com ∙ 303.345.1522 ∙ P.O. Box 201435 Denver, CO 80220 MACK BAILEY QUOTES:"The next great singer in folk music." ~ Glenn Yarbrough“In its power, clarity and shear beauty, Mack Bailey's voice reminds me of no one more than my friend, the late John Denver. I love to hear this man sing.†~ Tom Paxton"Mack has the purest voice I have ever heard." ~ Curtis Young, The Jordanaires"It's a pleasure to write arrangements for such a great voice." ~ Louis Nunley, The Jordanaires“Mack Bailey & Rachel Levy remind me of a similar pairing 40 years ago of Gram Parsons and a very young Emmylou Harris.†~ Tim West, Rediscover Music"We would love to have Mack Bailey sing the National Anthem for every game." ~ Baltimore Orioles Productions“Mack sings songs of the heart and life experiences with a voice and charm that mesmerizes his audiences.†~ Joyce Sica, Uptown Concerts"Filling Maryland Hall with vocal and human warmth, he was the consummate one-man show. ~ Jane Elkin, "The Capital" Newspaper, Annapolis"There are two things that I especially like about Mack: He has an absolutely gorgeous tenor voice and he knows how to combine songs to do a great program. If he performs in your area, he's not to be missed." ~ Frank Allen Philpot, Bethesda Acoustic House Concerts"Mack Bailey is a serious presence in the folk scene. Mack plays to an audience's heart and soul. Expressive and lyrical, his music touches on subjects from the deep felt love of a parent for his child, to a child-like wonder at the world around him" ~ Scott Twiford, Big Bear Productions"At the first John Denver Tribute concert at the Birchmere in January 1998, we had all of John's former band together but had lost the lead singer. We didn't know who could fill John's shoes. But when I heard Mack Bailey sing, I knew it would be OK." ~ Steve Weisberg, John Denver's former touring and studio guitar and dobro player"It is impossible to listen to him sing his music and to not feel changed. You know you are being given a gift that is so special and so valuable because he is truly giving you a piece of his heart. It shines through in every genre, too!" ~ Naomi Parry, Executive Director, Maryland Therapeutic Riding“Mack Bailey’s collection of songs from his latest album, Choose Your Attitude, is both intimate and powerful. His melodies are catchy and his lyrics inspire and offer the listener a moment of self-reflection. He writes about people and events that touched him deeply, and when I hear the purity of his tenor voice, I feel safe enough to feel and remember people, times and places from my own life. Mack’s songs remind me that life is to be cherished and enjoyed.†~ Allison Balson, Host and Producer, Organic Time Radio“Mack Bailey has a tremendously strong, soulful voice with a sweetness that would bring a tear to an Irish mother’s eye.†~ Fran Fishman – Sun Times, University Park, IL“I think it is great that you both (Mack Bailey & Rachel Levy) are promoting environmental awareness with your new song 'It’s Time’.†~ The Honorable Al Gore (former Vice-President)
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Video of Mack and Rachel's new song, "It's Time":
"Through Your Eyes":
Mack singing "The Wings That Fly Us Home":