Brian Stoltz, Shannon McNally

Biography

Brian Stoltz and Shannon McNally are American roots and blues-oriented musicians who have intersected through the New Orleans scene and collaborative recording projects. Stoltz is best known as a New Orleans guitarist associated with funk and R&B traditions, while McNally is a singer‑songwriter whose work bridges Americana, country, and modern blues. Together, they have appeared on New Orleans–focused projects and sessions that highlight their complementary strengths: Stoltz’s deep, groove‑based guitar work and McNally’s soulful, narrative‑driven vocals.[1][2][4][6][8]

Stoltz’s career is closely tied to the New Orleans funk lineage, particularly through his role as guitarist with incarnations of The Meters and related projects, carrying forward the rhythmic and harmonic language of that city’s R&B and funk traditions.[2][4][6][8] McNally, meanwhile, has built a career as a roots-based singer and songwriter, appearing on tributes and collaborative concerts that connect her interpretive singing to classic New Orleans repertoire such as Bobby Charles’ material and Dr. John–related projects.[2][4] Their names appear together on New Orleans–centered releases and live line‑ups, where Stoltz often serves as a core band guitarist and McNally as a featured vocalist, situating both artists in the broader modern blues and roots continuum tied to New Orleans.[1][2][4][5][6][8]

Fun Facts

• Both Brian Stoltz and Shannon McNally appear in the personnel and track listings for the all‑star Dr. John tribute project “The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music,” with Stoltz in the house band and McNally featured on the song “Street People.”[1][2][4][6]
• A song featuring Shannon McNally is described by Brian Stoltz as “kind of old country oriented,” illustrating how their collaboration crosses New Orleans funk/blues guitar with country‑tinged Americana vocals.[8]
• On New Orleans–centric projects, Stoltz is often listed alongside heavyweight session players like Chuck Leavell, Kenny Aronoff, and Don Was, underscoring his status as a go‑to New Orleans guitarist in all‑star house bands.[2][4][6]
• The pairing of Brian Stoltz and Shannon McNally is prominent enough in New Orleans circles to be highlighted on local culture and music compilations and playlists that celebrate the city’s musical community.[2][5]

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) - Both were involved in projects and performances honoring Dr. John and New Orleans repertoire, with Stoltz as a core band guitarist and McNally as a featured singer on material associated with Dr. John and Bobby Charles. (The concert/recording project “The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music,” related New Orleans tribute and festival performances) [2010s]
• Don Was - Served as musical director and bassist for an all‑star New Orleans house band that included guitarist Brian Stoltz, on a tribute production where Shannon McNally was one of the featured vocalists. (The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music) [2014–2016]
• John Gros - New Orleans keyboardist who has worked alongside guitarist Brian Stoltz in house bands assembled for Dr. John tribute projects and related New Orleans concerts and recordings. (The Musical Mojo of Dr. John: Celebrating Mac and His Music and related live configurations) [2010s]
• George Porter Jr. - New Orleans bassist from The Meters who has collaborated extensively with guitarist Brian Stoltz in maintaining and extending The Meters’ legacy in modern funk and roots contexts. (Various Meters‑related projects and live bands discussed in interviews and features on maintaining The Meters’ legacy) [1990s–2010s]
• Shannon McNally - Singer who has contributed vocals on tracks associated with Brian Stoltz’s projects, including material that mixes gospel, country and roots influences. (Unreleased/independent tracks referenced by Stoltz featuring McNally on an “old country oriented” song, plus New Orleans tribute and festival bills where they appear together) [2000s–2010s]

External Links

• Spotify