Mary Flower

Biography

Mary Flower is an acclaimed American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and music educator known for her mastery of blues, ragtime, and country blues. Raised in Delphi, Indiana, Flower grew up in a musical family and began performing as a high schooler. Her passion for blues was ignited in the early 1970s after attending a concert by Delta blues legend Yank Rachell, which inspired her to pursue the genre more deeply[1].

In 1972, Flower moved to Denver, Colorado, where she established herself in the vibrant local music scene. She collaborated with artists such as Katy Moffatt and Pat Donohue, and co-founded the influential all-women band Mother Folkers[1][2][3]. Flower's reputation as a 'picker's picker' grew, highlighted by her top-three finishes at the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship in 2000 and 2002, making her the only woman to achieve this distinction twice[1][2][6]. After three decades in Denver, she relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2004, where her career flourished with multiple releases on Yellow Dog Records and frequent performances in the U.S. and abroad[2][3][4].

Flower's musical style is distinguished by intricate Piedmont fingerpicking, lap-slide guitar, and a blend of rootsy acoustic blues that spans ragtime, swing, folk, and hot jazz[1][2][4][5]. She is celebrated not only for her artistry but also for her dedication to music education, having developed instructional DVDs, taught at festivals and camps, and hosted her own guitar camp, Blues in the Gorge[5]. Her legacy includes a vital contribution to American roots music and a lasting influence on the next generation of acoustic blues musicians.

Fun Facts

• Mary Flower is the only woman to have placed in the top three at the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship twice for guitar[1][2][6].
• She founded the influential all-women band Mother Folkers in Denver[1][2][3].
• Flower hosts her own annual guitar camp, Blues in the Gorge, near Portland, Oregon[5].
• She has developed five instructional DVDs and is active in the Blues in Schools program[5].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Yank Rachell - Inspired Flower to pursue blues seriously after attending his concert in the early 1970s. (Influence on Flower's approach to blues guitar and repertoire.) [Early 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Katy Moffatt - Teamed up for tours on the National College Coffeehouse Circuit and collaborated in Denver. (Live performances, tours) [1970s]
• Pat Donohue - Worked closely in Denver, collaborated musically, and co-founded Mother Folkers. (Mother Folkers band, regional performances) [1970s–1980s]
• Mother Folkers - Founding member of the influential all-women folk/blues band. (Mother Folkers band) [1970s–1980s]
• Jorma Kaukonen - Performed together at various festivals and events. (Live performances) [2000s–present]
• Tim O'Brien & Mollie O'Brien - Collaborated in performances and recordings. (Live performances, recording sessions) [2000s–present]
• Geoff Muldaur - Collaborated in performances. (Live performances) [2000s–present]
• Campbell Brothers - Collaborated in performances. (Live performances) [2000s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Caroline Peyton - Flower introduced Peyton to the Bloomington, Indiana music scene, helping launch her career. (Solo career, Disney vocal work) [1970s]
• Numerous students and proteges - Through teaching at camps, festivals, and private instruction, Flower has mentored many aspiring guitarists. (Instructional DVDs, Blues in the Gorge camp, Blues in Schools program) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Death Letter Blues (Misery Loves Company)
2. Arkansas Ramble (Ragtime Gal)
3. Hard Day Blues (Misery Loves Company)
4. Virginia Bound (Ladyfingers)
5. Baby Please Don't Go - Green Onions (Ladyfingers)
6. I Almost Lost My Mind (Ladyfingers)
7. Ragtag Rag (When My Bluebird Sings)
8. Suspendimento (When My Bluebird Sings)
9. My Bluebird (When My Bluebird Sings)
10. Ruckus Rag (When My Bluebird Sings)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia