Summary: OTIS TAYLOR is the visionary songwriter with his powerful and unique blend of roots music and narrative poetry he labels "trance blues." On his 13th album, 'My World Is Gone', Taylor was inspired by Indigenous frontman and guitar virtuoso MATO NANJI. With Mato, Taylor embarked on a soul-searching journey into the past and present, and into the psyche, of America’s indigenous people. The result is a lightning bolt of musical creativity and social commentary. Its songs crackle with poetic intelligence and a unique, adventurous sound that balances the modern world with echoes of ancient Africa, Appalachia and more. Mato will be performing with Otis on WoodSongs. MARY GAUTHIER (it’s French; pronounced Go-SHAY) is an Americana troubadour, singer and songwriter. Her songs have earned praise from Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, and been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Blake Shelton, Boy George and many others. This Louisiana native-turned-Nashville resident's six albums have received countless accolades including Americana Music Association’s New/Emerging Artist of the Year title in 2005 for 'Mercy Now' and the No. 3 Record of the Year by the L.A. Times for 2011’s 'The Foundling'. After 10 years of perfecting her stagecraft, Gauthier felt ready to release her first live album 'Live at Blue Rock' (In the Black Records).
