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!

First Show of 2025

Well, I did it. Last night I played my first show since the surgery. I was nervous, for sure, wondering if my fingers would do what i needed them to do. The Martin Girls, my side project with Anne Marie Menta, were on the bill with Meggie and headliner Inner Groove, who were having their CD release party. Frank Critelli was our Master of Ceremonies.

The First Congregational Church of Meriden (home of the Olde Church Acoustic Series), has always been a favorite venue of mine, with its glorious stained glass windows, gothic architecture, and wonderful audiences. This was the perfect first show back from surgery—it reinforced all that I have been working towards these past few months. And there is definitely more work to do. While I am overjoyed that I can play songs fairly well, I am still working on rebuilding strength and flexibility. I am not quite pain-free when I play, but this pain is different. It’s a healing pain, a sign of muscle, tendon and bone working together in a new way and moving forward, rather than eroding tissue and bone.

I am so grateful for this music community I find myself in. I’ve met so many amazing and talented musicians over the years. Your support and friendship have meant so much. Thank you to everyone who made last night’s show possible. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and extremely helpful. It was such a magical evening and I was honored to be a part of it.

My next show is Tuesday, June 24, 7pm at Klekolo World Coffee in Middletown, CT. I haven’t played there since before the pandemic, and I’m lookiing forward to it. Hope you can be there, too. In the meantime, I will be practicing daily and playing online shows in Second Life to increase stamina and bolster my confidence.

Thank you so much for sharing the journey!

The Martin Grils (Shannon McMahon & Anne Marie Menta) Photo courtesy of Brian Larney.

From Left: Denise Jones, Anne Marie Menta, Shannon McMahon, & Meggie

April

It’s just shy of a month till my first gig. It’s coming fast and I pray I will be ready. I got the go-ahead to start actually playing guitar from my physical therapist a week ago, and I am now up to playing almost 30 minutes a day. My range of motion is improving, and I am able to reach the chords much easier. It’s so great to be playing guitar again! On Wednesday, it will be three months since the surgery. Seems like forever ago, and forever’s a long time to wait when you’re dying to play guitar.

So, for the next few weeks, I will be working on regaining my strength, rebuilding my callouses, and restoring my confidence. The first show is Friday, May 2, at the Olde Church Acoustic Series in Meriden, CT. The Martin Girls are opening for Inner Groove. Check my shows tab for details. Thank you so much for your support, and for traveling this road with me. Can’t wait to see you!

Here are two videos from this past week: Wishing on Planes and This Land is Your Land.