We Made it Through 2025

And, just like that, 2025 comes to a close. I’m not quite sure how to categorize it. It began with my finger surgery in January, which was kind of the theme. For me, everything related to that. The healing process took longer than I thought—in fact, it’s still happening. I am still feeling pain and stiffness, but I keep reminding myself that I wouldn’t be able to play at all without the surgery.

I was lucky enough to be able book a bunch of cool gigs this year, despite my recovery—Olde Church Acoustic Concerts in May, The Cantean, Downtown Coffee Shop, Shayna B’s, Catstock (The Martin Girls-with Anne Marie Menta), the Songwriters Showcase at Aussakita Farms, Ball Pond Music Festival, The Friends of the Easton Public Library Craft Beer Tasting, Klekolo World Coffee with Tim Webster, Cafe Atlantique with Linda Foster, the Troubador Songwriter Series, and the Sterling House Christmas Tree Open House.

I have two shows in January:

Songwriter Night at the Stack, Bridgeport, CT (The Martin Girls) Thursday, January 8, 7-9:30pm

Klekolo World Coffee, Middletown, CT Tuesday, January 27, 7-8:30pm

In November, I wrote my very first song since 2021. This was a major achievement for me, and it came through unexpectedly. As soon as I wrote it, I knew I wanted to record it and release it. I brought it to Paul Opalach at Long Hill Recording, and managed to lay down the bulk of it in one session. I was nervous to play, not knowing if I would be able to play cleanly. I surprised myself. I think I did three takes for guitar, and three for vocals. Thank you, Paul for helping me bring my songs to life. The name of the song is How Do I Rise, and it is meant to instill hope and empowerment. I truly hope that it does. It will release in two weeks, on January 8 to all the digital platforms. You can presave this song to your Spotify by clicking the link below.

Thank you to everyone who booked me this year, to everyone who played with me and shared a stage with me, all who came to shows, and all who listened to my online shows in Second Life. You all are a part of my recovery, and I couldn’t have done any of this without you. You helped me push through a world of doubt and uncertainty, and kept me going through times I was not sure I could. I am so grateful to have you all in my life. It means more than you could ever know that you believe in me and connect with my music. Thank you for being here. I wish you all the best of what 2026 will bring, and a kinder, more peaceful world in which to live. Hope to see you all down the road. XO

New Single Coming!

How did the fall get away from us so fast? I know some of the leaves are still on the trees, but the atmosphere is giving a winter vibe, and I am not ready. It was a year ago this month I decided to have surgery on my left hand. I had no idea what lay in store for me, but it was the right thing to do. My guitar playing is not at 100% capacity, but I am able to play, and that would not be the case if I hadn’t had the surgery.

The big news is that I have written a new song called How Do I Rise. I had my first recording session this past Friday, at Long Hill Recording Studios in Shelton, CT. I am so excited for this release! It just feels so good to be putting something new out there, following a rather dormant season. After one more recording session, it should be ready, and then I will release it in January, perhaps on the 15th, like I did with Bridget Keane and My Last Goodbye. I am really hoping you will all love it.

I have two remaining shows in 2025…

Saturday, November 29, 2-5pm - Sterling House Holiday Open House/Christmas Tree Sale, Stratford, CT, Tuesday, December 2, 7-8:30pm at Klekolo World Coffee in Middletown, CT.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded that I have much to be thankful for, despite difficult times. I wish you peace and happiness for this season. Thank you for traveling this road with me!

Cafe Atlantique, 11/8/25

Are You the Folksinger?

Yes, I am! It’s good to remind myself of that from time to time, especially as I feel like I am rebuilding myself these days. Somebody actually did ask me that last week, and obviously it resonated. I was working at the Easton Public Library and a patron spotted me and called out, “Are you the folksinger?” I’m not sure where he knew me from—was it one of the several performances I’ve done in Easton the past three years or so, or was it from seeing my CDs on display at the front of the Library? It was nice to be recognized, and even better, it felt amazing to own it.

After months of impatience and not knowing what the future of my music might be in regards to my hand surgery, I think I may have turned a corner. There is still pain and stiffness but I am growing more confident in my playing ability. I’ve been playing shows since May, and there’s been so much self-doubt.

Last week, I played a songwriter night—Troubador Series Mini Fest at Hotrods Spotlight Lounge in Middletown, CT. This show featured me and four other songwriters: Kevin Boots, Sarah Dunn, Seth Adam, and Erik Rabasca. I was hoping for a crowd but sadly it did not materialize. Crowd or no, I was still a bit nervous. Playing for other musicians can be nerve-wracking, and I had no idea what my hand would do. I did offer a disclaimer, but honestly, I think I did really well, all things considered. I am my own worst critic, so for me to say it was pretty good, is saying something.

Troubadour Songwriter Series at Hotrods Spotlight Lounge, Middletown, CT 8/9/25

Cafe Atlantique (with linda Whiteley Foster), 7/26/25

It’s a busy week coming up. The Martin Girls (Anne Marie Menta and I) are headed to Concert Connections in Norwich on Tuesday, August 19, to record a show that will air on Friday, August 22, at 10pm on Norwich’s Channel 14 (it will also be on their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@concertconnections/videos. On Saturday, August 23, we will be at Shayna B’s By the Sea from 2-4pm. Hope to see you!

As always, thanks so much for listening!

Sold Out Show

It seems the older you get, the faster time flies. Six months on from surgery, I have made progress, which is so amazing, but I am impatient. It’s so great to be playing shows again, but I wish had more strength in my hand to play more cleanly. Of course, I keep reminding myself that those are unrealistic expectations right now, but still I have them. This makes playing live a challenge, but a worthwhile one.

Last night, I played a Martin Girls (with Anne Marie Menta) set at Cantean Coffee Shop in Hamden, CT. We shared the stage with Shellye Valauskas and Dean Falcone, who played a mostly original folk-pop, acoustic set. It was a sold-out show, which sounds great, and it was, but it’s a very small venue. I am grateful for the fans who supported us and bought tickets. The venue was a sweet little coffee shop with delicious food and beverages. The owners were gracious and welcoming. I highly recommend it.

I always wonder how my fingers will do before I play. Warming up is essential, especially now, and sometimes it’s hard to apply heat and do the kind of stretching I need to do. Sometimes hot water will take the place of a heating pad and that is what I employed last night. It seemed to work, because I did not experience any pain before, during, or after, just some stiffness, which is a usual companion when I play.

That’s a win in my book. I’m so happy to be able to play, and I’m so thankful for those who continue to believe in me and are moved by the music. Check out the Shows tab for what’s coming up next. Hope to see you all soon.

Cantean, Hamden, CT 7/12/25. Photo by Brian Larney

Dean Falcone & Shellye Valauskas, Cantean, Hamden, CT 7/12/25

Not Flesh of Our Flesh

Every now and again I listen to my music. I ask Siri to play Shannon McMahon and then listen to my songs in random order. Listening to them always brings back memories of writing and recording. I always enjoy seeing my songs evolve in the recording process and watching them grow to their full potential.

This morning on my short jaunt to Starbucks for my new favorite drink—grande iced matcha with soy and two pumps of horchata syrup, YUM—I heard a song I hadn’t really listened to in awhile. Not Flesh of My Flesh was written when I was 16 years old and feeling adrift. I was suffering the usual teenage angsty identity crisis with an added thorn. As an adoptee, I didn’t have a biological family history. I was connected to my adoptive parents’ family tree , and it is my family tree for sure, but I didn’t know what my true lineage was.

The title, Not Flesh of Our Flesh, refers to a poem my parents had given me, which was about belonging and being loved, no matter that I wasn’t biologically theirs.

Not flesh of my flesh
Nor bone of my bone
but still Miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute
You did not grow under my heart
but in it.

by
Fleur Conkling Heyliger

I wrote an article for a journalism class in college that was published in the New York Times. The assignment was to write an article about yourself, and I wrote an article on being adopted. It made the top section of the Connecticut Opinion Page and had an illustration. I am still so proud of that moment. :)You can read it here. (This article is behind a paywall.)

The song was a way for me to acknowledge that while I was feeling a little lost identity-wise, I knew I was absolutely loved and valued in my family. All those years ago, I had no way of knowing that I would actually meet and connect with one of my biological half siblings. It took my song Connected to give me the courage to write a letter to her, she responded, and the rest is history. My biological history. I never, ever thought there would be any way I would know my birth family, and I was resigned to that, even if I was curious. What I did learn, however, was that I am exceedingly grateful for the way things turned out, and that I was where I was meant to be all along.

Here are the song links:

Not Flesh of Our Flesh: Apple Music Spotify

Connected: Apple Music Spotify

Thank you for reading and listening!