Anna McGary grew up in Bozeman, Montana with music in her soul. Her love of music began with listening to her father's music while he graded papers. Anna sang along to everything and made up harmonies for songs by the Police, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and other great bands that resided in her dad's record collection. Now hooked on singing, Anna always had the radio on and always had a melody in her head. She began playing percussion in fifth grade and pursued that avenue for five years. Anna also took piano lessons for two years, and ultimately stepped away from music to focus on volleyball in high school. Just a month before high school graduation, Anna picked up a guitar and hasn't looked back. She started writing music right away, and headed to Missoula, Montana to begin Pre-Pharmacy studies at the University of Montana. Some of Anna's influences at this point include John Mayer, Incubus, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews Band, and Led Zeppelin.
Slowly but surely, music crept back into the life of this girl, and she found herself sitting in on a recording session at Peak Recording and Sound in Bozeman. She knew this was not something to miss out on, so she saved her money up to record a four track demo, named simply "Anna McGary". The Music bug had taken its bite, and Anna began playing open mic nights and small venues around the state. Eager for more, Anna returned to Peak Recording and Sound in March of 2007 and completed a ten-track CD, "A Simple Turn". The album featured Brian Crumrine on Drums and Eddie T. on Bass.
It was a simple turn towards music now for Anna. She made the decision to pursue music as a career, and sought bigger arrangements with her sound. At this point, Anna had begun to develop a following in Missoula, and had just competed in the Trail/Entertainment Music Awards, winning the coveted title of Vocalist of the Year for 2007, and was a finalist in the category of Songwriter of the Year. Seeking the bigger sound, Anna began auditioning musicians and formed Anna McGary and the Thirsty Three. The first member to come on board was Sam Ore, a bass player from Three Forks, Montana with 8 years of the craft under his belt. Sam is currently a music major at the University of Montana. Next to join the roster was Paul Monk on lead guitar. Paul has been in love with the stage from early in his life, beginning with acting before he picked up a guitar at age 13. Seven years and numerous bands later, Paul then found himself playing with Anna. Finally, Aaron Johnson was recruited on drums. Raised in Butte, Montana, Aaron started playing the drums at 14 years old. His musical career began in a punk rock band called The Low Rollers (2003 - 2007) and he has played with various other Butte musicians, including studying under Mike McDaniel for two years.
Anna McGary and the Thirsty Three played all over Montana during 2008 starting at the Pabst Plue Ribbon Performance Series at the Other Side in Missoula, then moving on to other Missoula venues including the Badlander, Sean Kelly's, the ELKS Lodge, Downtown Tonite, and the Garden City River Rod Festival. Other venues around the state included Butte's Silver Dollar Saloon and Livingston's Owl Lounge, finishing up with one of the coveted sets at Three Forks' annual festival, Rockin' the Rivers.
Late in 2008, Anna made the decision to find a new place to pursue her music and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where she is currently studying guitar and vocals, as well as writing new material. The Song "All the Miles" was recorded on April 16th with fellow Missoula to Nashville transplant Sara Horvath.Stay tuned for news from Anna!
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