Hear Jessica Lea on May 18

By: Jay Minkin
Date: 05/12/2008
There is a wealth of musical talent in this area that sometimes is under the radar unless you literally bump into it. One bright story of rising fame and hopefully fortune are Northeast Ohio’s very own Jessica Lea and David Ray Mayfield.

Growing up in a musical household, Jessica Lea and David Ray found their flair for music early on. Multi-instrumentalist and harmony vocalist David began playing bass with his family in the band One Way Rider at the age of 12.

Jessica joined mother Valerie Fay and father David Lee along with “Bass Boy” in the band at age 8.
David left Ohio last year to spend time in Nashville, establishing himself as a performer and recording artist within the bluegrass and country music arenas. His personal highlight is having several opportunities to perform on the stage of the historic The Grand Ole Opry. He quickly was hired to play acoustic/electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, and singing harmony vocals for country artist Andy Griggs’ touring band. Aside from his career as a sideman, David, 26, released his solo record For Today last December and performs with his bluegrass group The David Mayfield Band locally when his schedule permits.

His sister Jessica Lea, the artist formerly known as Chittlin’, plays the bass, guitar, and banjo. Jessica writes and performs with a sensitivity, rawness, and confidence well beyond her 18 years, especially when singing solo or with minimal accompaniment. She recently released a new EP titled White Lies, which was produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, with David playing upright bass on a few tracks. Scott Avett of the critically acclaimed The Avett Brothers did the artwork for her new CD.

The Avett Brothers have embraced this young singer/songwriter and invited Jessica Lea to go on the road and open for their Emotionalism tour. David is traveling with his little sister, playing upright bass besides acting as tour manager. The Mayfields will be on the bill when The Avett Brothers tour stops at The Beachland Ballroom this Sunday, May 18th. You probably can bump into them after their set and have a CD autographed.

Reach Jay at blues4bird@aol.com.

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