Mary McCreary

{{Infobox musical artist

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| name = Mary McCreary

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| alias = Mary Russell, Mary Rand

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| occupation = Singer

| instrument = Vocals, piano

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| label = MCA, Shelter Records, Philips, Paradise Records

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| past_member_of = The Heavenly Tones, Little Sister, New Generation, Leon & Mary Russell

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Mary McCreary is an American singer, pianist and composer. She has been a member of hit making recording acts, Little Sister and Leon & Mary Russell. She has recorded her own albums for the MCA and Shelter labels. As a session singer she has sung on a multitude of artists' recordings such as Sly & the Family Stone, Michael Bolotin, Melba Moore and Denny Laine.

Background

Mary McCreary is a singer and musician who plays piano and did her own arrangements on her recordings.Record World, August 10, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-08-10.pdf Page 44 Shelter Continued from page 32, Mary McCreary]

In 1961, when she was aged ten, she sang on stage with the folk group The Limeliters, performing the song, "Run Little Donkey Run" which appeared on the group's album, Through Children's Eyes (Little-Folk Songs for Adults).Sepia Magazine Online - [http://sepiamagazineonline.net/sepia_seven/maryrand.html mary rand]Mary Rand website - [http://www.maryrand.com/documentay.htm Bio]Leon Russell Superstar in a Masquerade channel, Sep 9, 2022 - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-_qSlo6-y4 Mary McCreary & The Limelighters 1961 ex-wife of Leon Russell]

She was part of The Heavenly Tones and then later, Little SisterMusic Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Mary%20McCreary ArtistInfo, Mary McCreary]Oral History - [https://books.google.com/books?id=n16CEAAAQBAJ&dq=Little+Sister+Mary+McCreary&pg=PT21 The Voices (In Order of appearance) ELVA "TINY" MOUTON] who had three hits in the early 1970s, "You're the One (Part 1)", "Somebody's Watching You" and "Stanga".MusicVF.com - [https://www.musicvf.com/Little+Sister.art Little Sister Top Songs] After her time with Little Sister, McCrary joined the rock choir New Generation.Record World, August 10, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-08-10.pdf Page 44 Shelter Continued from page 32, Mary McCreary]

She was part of the duo, Leon & Mary Russell who had the hit "Rainbow in Your Eyes" in 1975 which got to no. 52 on the Billboard singles chart.MusicVF.com - [https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Rainbow+in+Your+Eyes+by+Leon+Russell&id=25456 Rainbow in Your Eyes By: Leon Russell]

In 1973, she signed with Shelter Records and made her debut album with Butterflies in Heaven.Record World, August 10, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-08-10.pdf Page 44 Shelter Continued from page 32, Mary McCreary]

She is now known as Mary Rand.Funk My Soul - [https://www.funkmysoul.gr/mary-mccreary-1973-butterflies-in-heaven/ Mary McCreary – 1973 – Butterflies In Heaven]Super Soul Sisters, SÁBADO, 26 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2009 - [http://supersoulsisters.blogspot.com/2009/09/mary-mccreary-shelter-years-butterflies.html CLASSIC AND RARE SOUL SISTERS 50S - 70S, Mary McCreary: The Shelter Years - Butterflies in Heaven / Jezebel ... plus (1973-75)]Mary Rand website - [http://www.maryrand.com/documentay.htm Bio]

Career

=1973=

;Butterflies in Heaven album

Her album Butterflies in Heaven was released in 1973. It was produced by D. J. Rogers and included the songs "My Soul Is Satisfied", "God Is Always Near", "Evil Woman" and "Butterflies In Heaven". She composed most of the songs and played piano on all except for one. Maxayn Lewis sang backup and Marlo Henderson played guitar on one track.Session Days - [https://www.sessiondays.com/2020/07/1973-mary-mccreary-butterflies-in-heaven/ 1973 Mary McCreary – Butterflies In Heaven]

It was reported by Billboard in the week ending July 7, 1973 Butterflies in Heaven was an FM action pick with airplay on WHCN.FM, one of the country's leading progressive radio stations.Billboard, July 7, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-07-07.pdf Page 59 FM Action Picks, MARY McCREARY, "Butterflies In Heaven," MCA: WHCN.FM ] The following week it was an FM action pick on another leading progressive station, WNEW.FM.Billboard, July 14, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-07-14.pdf Page 63 FM Action Picks, MARY McCREARY, "Butterflies in Heaven," MCA: WNEW.FM ]

Her single "Evil Woman" that she co-wrote with Lawrence Hill was produced by D. J. Rogers. It was reviewed in the First Time Around section of the July 28 issue of Billboard. Her powerful vocals and the piano playing were noted as well as the pop and soul audience potential.Billboard, July 28, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-07-28.pdf Page 58 First Time Around
(These are new artists deserving airplay and sales consideration)]

;Further activities

On August 5, she was appearing at the Oakland Alamedia County fair.Billboard, August 11, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-08-11.pdf Page 39 _Talent_, _Who /Where /When_ Continued from page 15] She opened the concert at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California that also featured Leon Russell and Loggins & Messina. The review of her performance in the August 11 issue of Billboard was favorable which noted her powerful vocals and good piano ability.Billboard, August 11, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-08-11.pdf Page 17 _Talent_, _Talent in Action_, LEON RUSSELL LOGGINS & MESSINA MARY McCREARY] She was appearing at the Schaeffer Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on August 13, the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on August 16 and at the American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 18.Billboard, August 18, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-08-18.pdf Page 29 _Who/Where/When_ * Continued from page 16]

Billboard reported in the September 29, 1973 issue that McCreary and Phoebe Snow were part of an experiment by Shelter Records in connection with Capitol for a four recorder, four camera video bus. Shelter president Denny Cordell was at the controls and Leon Russell was present.Billboard, September 29, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1973/Billboard%201973-09-29.pdf Page 66 _Late News_,_Inside Track_]

=1974=

She composed the song "Singin' the Blues" which was released on Shelter 40217. It was backed with " High Flying Me". It was a recommended single in the May 11, 1974 issue of Billboard.Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Mary%20McCreary&title=Singin%27%20The%20Blues%20%2F%20High%20Flying%20Me ArtistInfo, Mary McCreary, Singin' The Blues / High Flying Me]Billboard, May 11, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-05-11.pdf Page 80 Billboard's Top Single Picks, MAY 11, 1974, Soul, recommended]

;Jezebel album

Her Jezebel album had already been released by November, 1974. It was mentioned in the November 9 issue of Billboard which noted a mix of material that drew from the soul, rock and reggae genres.Billboard, November 9, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-11-09.pdf O-12 Creative Connection * Continued from page 0 -6] The musicians that played on the album were Leon Russell, Chuck Rainey, Andy Newmark, Jose Feliciano, the Tower of Power and Charles Larkey.Record World, August 10, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-08-10.pdf Page 44 Shelter Continued from page 32, Mary McCreary]

On the week of November 9, the record was at no. 210 on the Billboard Bubbling Under The Top LP's chart that week.Billboard, November 9, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-11-09.pdf Page 22 Bubbling Under The Top LP's, 210] On the week ending October 19, it was sharing the no. 13 spot with Dragonfly by Jefferson Starship and Free Beer and Chicken by John Lee Hooker on the Billboard FM Action chart.Billboard, October 19, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-10-19.pdf Page 29 Billboard SPECIAL SURVEY For Week Ending 10/19/74, Billboard FM Action, 13] On the week ending November 16, her album was at no. 209 on the Billboard Bubbling Under The Top LP's chart.Billboard, November 16, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-11-16.pdf Page 23 Bubbling Under The Top LP's, 209]

On the week of November 23, the album had made its debut at no. 188 on the Record World 151 - 200 New & Active chart.Record World, November 16, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-11-16.pdf Page 42 151-200 NEW & ACTIVE]Record World, November 23, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-11-23.pdf Page 130 151-200 NEW& ACTIVE, 188] On the week of December 7, it was at no. 183 on the Record World 151 - 200 Album chart.Record World, December 7, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-12-07.pdf Page 30 151-200 ALBUM CHART, 183] With the chart now renamed as the 151-200 Album Chart, the record reached its peak position of 181 on the week of December 14.Record World, December 14, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-12-14.pdf Page 36 151-200 ALBUM CHART, 181]Record World, December 21, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-12-21.pdf Page 34 151-200 ALBUM CHART, 182] It was still in the chart at no. 195 on December 28.Record World, December 28, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-12-28.pdf Page 84 151-200 ALBUM CHART, 195]

;Singles from album

She composed the song "Brother" which was released on Shelter SR-40327. Produced by Denny Cordell and Leon Russell, it was a recommended single in the Top Single Picks in the November 9 issue of Billboard.Billboard, November 9, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1974/Billboard%201974-11-09.pdf Page 58 Billboard's Top Single Picks, recommended]Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Mary%20McCreary&title=Brother ArtistInfo, Mary McCreary, Brother] It was culled from the album. It was also reviewed by Cash Box that week. Her gutsy voice and the backing vocals that augmented her voice beautifully were noted. It was given chart movement potential.Cash Box, November 9, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-11-16.pdf Page 20 Cash box/singles reviews, newcomer picks] "Brother" was in the Record World Hits of the Week section for the week of November 23.Record World, November 23, 1974 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-11-23.pdf Page 1 HITS OF THE WEEK]

;Further activities

Eric Clapton covered her song "Singin' the Blues" which appeared on his There's One in Every Crowd album that was released in 1975.Who Sampled - [https://www.whosampled.com/cover/805882/Eric-Clapton-Singin%27-the-Blues-Mary-McCreary-Singing-the-Blues/ Cover Version, Eric Clapton, Singin' the Blues]

She contributed her backing vocals to Tina Turner's album,

Rough that was released in 1977.Billboard, October 7, 1977 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-10-07.pdf Page 82 Billboard's Recommended LPs, Pop, TINA TURNER -Rough, Roadshow UALA919H (United Artists)]

In 1979, her album Heart of Fire was released on the Paradise label. It was credited to Mary Russell. It was reviewed in the March 3 issue of Record World. It received positive review with the quality of her musicianship and vocals were noted. The tracks "Body Music" and "Heart of Fire" were noted as potential for instant adds at BOS stations.Record World, March 3, 1979 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/RW-1979-03-03.pdf Page 17 RECORD WORLD ALBUM PICKS, HEART OF FIRE, MARY RUSSELL-Paradise PAK 3292] It was also reviewed in the March 12 issue of Walrus. The drawing from classic R&B moves, pleasing tunes and solidity were noted but the singular sense of style was pointed out as a drawback.Walrus, Issue 257 March 12, 1979 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Walrus/Walrus-Magazine-1979-03-12.pdf Page 8 NEW RELEASES, MARY RUSSELL] The magazine also reported that she was getting moderate airplay on WBAB in Long Island NYWalrus, Issue 257 March 12, 1979 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Walrus/Walrus-Magazine-1979-03-12.pdf Page 9 RADIO, NORTHEAST, LONG ISLAND, N.Y., WBAB, BERNIE BERNARD, MODERARE AIRPLAY:] and was added to the playlist of KZEL in Eugene, Oregon.Walrus, Issue 257 March 12, 1979 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Walrus/Walrus-Magazine-1979-03-12.pdf Page 15 RADIO, WEST, EUGENE, ORE., KZEL, CHRIS KOVARIK, ADDS:] Cash Box reported that the album was added to the playlist of KRST-FM in Albuquerque.Cash Box, March 10, 1979 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-03-10.pdf Page 22 FM STATION REPORTS NEW ADDS/HOT ROTATION, KRST-FM - ALBUQUERQUE - BOB SHULMAN, ADDS:] It was also recorded as an Album Breakout at Radio Doctors,Cash Box, March 10, 1979 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1979/CB-1979-03-10.pdf Page 28 ALBUM BREAKOUTS, Radio Doctors -Milwaukee] the well-established record store in Milwaukee.Shepherd Express, APR. 18, 2022 - [https://shepherdexpress.com/culture/milwaukee-history/remembering-radio-doctors-milwaukees-legendary-record-store/ Remembering Radio Doctors, Milwaukee’s Legendary Record Store By Richard G. Carter]

=As Mary Rand=

In 2005, she released her Still Together album and in 2015 she released Love & Praise, and Go Just Go.Facebook, Mary Rand, 26 October 2019 - [https://www.facebook.com/425438784251160/posts/marys-previously-released-albums1-mary-mccreary-butterflies-in-heaven-1973-2-mar/2351780718283614/ Mary's Previously Released Albums..]Amazon - [https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B016FRQTY2/mary-rand ARTIST Mary Rand]

Personal life

She was married to Leon Russell and they had a son, Teddy Jack Willie John Russell Bridges.The Blacklisted Journalist, COLUMN FIFTY-SIX, FEBRUARY 1, 2001 - [https://www.blacklistedjournalist.com/column56a.html SECTION TWO, RETROPOP SCENE, LEON AND MARY]Los Angeles Times, Feb. 17, 1999 - [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-17-ca-8746-story.html Music, A Familiar Face in the Crowd BY MIKE BOEHM] He is also a musician.Fox 23, Mar 16, 2022 - [https://www.fox23.com/news/teddy-jack-set-to-perform-at-the-venue-shrine/article_0d2e2695-fd23-57b2-87ca-1b4958fc7f0d.html Teddy Jack set to perform at the Venue Shrine - Dominique O'Neil]