Montgomery Delaney, from the Bronx, joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of nineteen. Walking down the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark, he saw a guitar in a shop window. He bought it and took it back to his ship where, after several weeks of making noise, another Marine named Frank Scott showed him a few chords. That was more than 300 songs ago. Since that time, he has raised three children, served as a police officer in the 44th Precinct / South Bronx, taught and coached at a Catholic High School, founded the Southsound Coffeehouse, went to Law School, became an attorney and stated his own firm. All those experiences can be found in his songs which he has continued to write and perform over the years. Changing Shoes, his latest release, has received considerable air play and excellent reviews.

So far this year, Anthony da Costa — a 17-year-old, performing songwriter — released his sixth record; opened for Loretta Lynn and Dan Bern and other big names; was profiled in the New York Times; performed at the Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, Philadelphia and Woody Guthrie Folk Festivals; debuted in Europe at Denmark’s Tonder Festival and was chosen as Folk Alliance Emerging Artist of the Year. He also recorded an album with Abbie Gardner of Red Molly in just three days — a record that made the finals of the Independent Music World Series. Last year, Anthony became the youngest winner ever of Kerrville’s New Folk and Falcon Ridge’s Emerging Artist Competitions; formally showcased at Tin Pan South and was a Mountain Stage NewSong finalist. A prolific songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Anthony’s writing and performing draw from a deep well of rich musical influences — from Bob Dylan and Dan Bern, to Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, to Ryan Adams and John Prine. Says Neil Pearson of Fish Records (UK): “Anthony da Costa — an important, emerging artist — has obvious links to modern day songwriters such as Jonathan Byrd and Dan Bern, but he’s a distinct talent and writer who knows how to connect with his audience in both the live setting and in his recordings. It’s obvious he will be leading a new generation of singer/songwriters in the near future.”

Seth Glier is a 20 year-old singer, songwriter, and pianist (we still think of him as a teen). He credits his autistic brother with making him a better songwriter because he “learned to communicate with words better once I realized how to communicate to someone without them.” His debut record, WHY, pre-sold out of its first pressing three weeks before its official release. The Vineyard Times calls him “a star in the making.” He has performed hundreds of shows throughout the east coast including three sold-out nights at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton Mass, and performed for more than 25,000 people on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Livingston Taylor says, “Listening to Seth’s music gives me hope for what’s to come. The next generation is alive and well.” His latest album, The Trouble With People, was recorded in Glier’s basement during the course of three months. In the comfort of his own home and without the restraint of being on the clock, Glier patiently treated each song like a scene in a movie. “I felt as though I was collecting footage for a film rather than recording a record,” recalls Glier. The result is a brilliant show of expansive songs elegantly matched with lush arrangements all the while retaining an intense level of intimacy.

Casey Sullivan, a senior at nearby Austin Prep, is 17 years old and has been playing guitar for about four years but she has been singing for her whole life. Early exposure to the Beatles and Melissa Etheridge sparked her interest in music. When her dad gave her his old guitar when she was in the eighth grade, her future was secured. Soon she was writing songs and embarked on a singer / songwriter path. Casey came in third in the Boston Folk Festival young songwriter’s contest in 2007 and has recently opened for James Montgomery, the Jon Pousette Dart Band, and the Kennedys. Me Thee fans may remember Casey performing at one of our winter open mics.