Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Jane Alm. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Mary Jane Alm is one of the most well-known and beloved female singers in the Minnesota Music Scene. She has been delighting audiences with her versatile and unique vocal style and her charming stage presence for an unprecedented five decades! She started singing in her hometown of Mankato, Mn.
When she was attending college there as a classical flute major. Her first “gigs” were in small clubs as a solo artist and soon after, she started singing in local Mankato bands, including the legendary Southern Mn. band, City Mouse. She has recorded five albums, including, “Me and the Wild Blue”, which was produced by Grammy Award Winner, Steve Hodge of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis fame. She garnished 14 Mn. Music Awards including Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, are the most awards of any individual artist in the history of the MMAs.
Mary Jane was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and was twice inducted into the Mid-America Hall of Fame. She recorded several children’s CDs as part of the Minneapolis Workshop For Kids. The Guthrie concert featuring that group and label mates, The Roaches received an Emmy Award for that performance. She has been an opening act for many national acts such as The Judds, Charlie Daniels, Willie Nelson, and many more. She sang backing vocals in concert for Michael Johnson and was in the vocal section for David Byrne’s classical piece, “The Forest”.
Mary Jane Alm has traveled the world with groups like Women Who Cook and Synergy. She continues to have a very busy show schedule, working on stages all across Minnesota with her acoustic group, Two Girls and a Boyd, as well as Rumours and Dreams – The Music of Fleetwood Mac, California Dreamin’ – The Songs of Laurel Canyon, and several other musical ventures. Mary Jane recently had a triumphant celebration of her 50 years in the music business with two sold-out concerts at The Chanhassen Dinner Theater.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was not always a smooth road. There were many near misses along the way. Mary Jane was considered for several major labels and was courted by such musical giants as Peter Yarrow, Albert Grossman, Bruce Lundvall, Bob Gaudio, and Michael McDonald.
She was signed with Warner Brothers Nashville for a brief period until the A&R person she was working with lost her job at the label. She was told she was to country for New York and LA and to pop for Nashville.
Ever the optimist, Mary Jane feels like everything worked out in her favor. She went on to have three beautiful and talented children and continues to have a wonderful and busy, albeit regional, music career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Mary Jane Alm is a lover of great songwriting. Although she does write her songs, she loves interpreting songs by artists she loves, like Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, and Emmylou Harris.
Her goal is to touch the hearts of her audience, helping them heal and know they are not alone in whatever they are going through. Even though she sings all types of music and tempos, she is best known for singing a heartfelt and tender ballad.
One thing that separates her shows from many others is her storytelling. She loves to tell the story behind the song.
How do you define success?
Mary Jane defines success as having a long-term career doing what you love.
She feels extremely blessed that she has been able to do that alongside some of the most talented musicians in the history of Minnesota, many of those being her best friends.
She feels successful in that she has been able to have a great career, while not sacrificing time and energy for her family and many friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: maryjanealm.com
- Instagram: @mjavox
- Facebook: Mary Jane Alm Music
Image Credits
Bob Israel Photography and Jessica Hegland Photography
