Willa McCarthy at The Falcon

McCarthy started at the bottom of the blues totem pole and worked her way up the ranks of the Hudson Valley blues scene.

She met acclaimed vocalist Chris O’Leary, who spent six years as the lead singer for Levon Helm's band the Barn Burners. When the Chris O’Leary Band launched in 2008 and members invited her to join the band, she jumped at the chance. “When I’m on stage or in the studio with these guys, I feel a bit like a kid who has stowed away on a trip to Disneyland,” she says.

The Chris O’Leary Band's, “Mr. Used To Be,” received rave reviews. Legendary blues guitarist and singer-songwriter B.B. King named it a “Pick to Click” on his satellite radio show, Bluesville. The Blues Foundation’s 32nd annual Blues Music Awards nominated “Mr. Used To Be,” for “Best New Artist Debut.” The band didn’t win, but performed at the award ceremony in Memphis. “It was an incredible honor,” McCarthy says of the nomination and the performance....

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McCarthy started at the bottom of the blues totem pole and worked her way up the ranks of the Hudson Valley blues scene.

She met acclaimed vocalist Chris O’Leary, who spent six years as the lead singer for Levon Helm's band the Barn Burners. When the Chris O’Leary Band launched in 2008 and members invited her to join the band, she jumped at the chance. “When I’m on stage or in the studio with these guys, I feel a bit like a kid who has stowed away on a trip to Disneyland,” she says.

The Chris O’Leary Band's, “Mr. Used To Be,” received rave reviews. Legendary blues guitarist and singer-songwriter B.B. King named it a “Pick to Click” on his satellite radio show, Bluesville. The Blues Foundation’s 32nd annual Blues Music Awards nominated “Mr. Used To Be,” for “Best New Artist Debut.” The band didn’t win, but performed at the award ceremony in Memphis. “It was an incredible honor,” McCarthy says of the nomination and the performance.

Willa performs today with a new ensemble - Scott Milici, keys, organ and piano, Doug Abramson, bass, Jerry Teters, drums.

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