Singer Mary Ellen Hayden and guitarist extraordinaire Mickey Ames formed four-piece, female-fronted, rocking, soulful R&B band out of Rochester, NY over seven years ago and they are busier than ever with their band, The Foolz. Music critic Frank DeBlase in one review referred to the band and lead vocals as "
The Fools rock and wail with a Bay-area boogie reminiscent of a time when starships were still airplanes, and the blues were something you had for real. Singer Mary Ellen Hayden sings with serious balls through serious pipes not unlike the late Miss Joplin. The band was funky and rocking and an overall blast. Dig it as soon as you can, fool." (City Paper)
Lead singer Mary Ellen Hayden recently performed with Rev Tor's touring "Last Waltz Live" Show on May 5th at the Montage Music Hall. She starred as the singing Janis Joplin in the touring production of "Love, Janis," which required that she get to know Janis's life, stories, interviews, songs, videos and recordings.
Guitarist Mickey Ames may as well have been born with a guitar in his hands. He graduated from GIT in Hollywood, CA. While in Hollywood, Mr. Ames performed alongside many talented musicians (too many to name here.) In Rochester, Mickey has played guitar and sang with several bands including Stony Creek, Heritage & The Kid Kurry Band. His songwriting took 3rd place in a Billboard National songwriting competition. Also a singer/songwriter, Mr. Ames plays electric and acoustic guitar, bottleneck slide, pedal steel guitar and piano in the band.
One of Mickey's most inspirational guitarists is the incompatible Eric Clapton. Many consider Ames as an "astounding musical source of reference," as there is not much that stumps him in this area.
Mary Ellen & Mickey have previously performed shows with Shemekia Copeland, Little Feat, Commander Cody and The Campbell Brothers, Johnny Winter, and The Platters among others.
