Mary Ramsey and John Lombardo
John Lombardo and Mary Ramsey, of the alternative rock group 10,000 Maniacs, will give a talk and perform at SUNY Fredonia.
The folk duo will speak at an Arts and Business Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. and give an evening performance at 6 p.m. Both events are in the Williams Center Blue Devil Lounge and are free and open to the public.
This event is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with two music industry professionals who have real-world experience.” - John Carrera
The duo’s talk is hosted by the Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) with support from a Fredonia College Foundation endowment.
Both the talk and concert are a collaboration between SUNY Fredonia’s Music Industry program and CIED and were arranged by Lecturer Armand Petri, with support from the School of Business.
“This event is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with two music industry professionals who have real-world experience,” said John Carrera, a sophomore majoring in Music Industry and Business Administration, from Ronkonkoma, NY, who is the Music Industry Club’s Student Association representative.
“We are thrilled to bring this renowned duo, who are rooted in this community, back to SUNY Fredonia,” Mr. Petri remarked. “This will be a fun and unique learning opportunity for our students, faculty and the community.”
Topics the duo will discuss during their talk include record contracts, publishing deals, how they formed their duo, touring and how 10,000 Maniacs began. There will also be a question-and-answer session. In addition to touring with 10,000 Maniacs, Mr. Lombardo and Ms. Ramsey perform as a folk duo.
“The Arts and Business Luncheon Series offers a unique insight into the business side of the arts,” added Chuck Cornell, director of CIED. “I’m thrilled that John and Mary will share their story.”
Three current Music Industry students – Bianca Wales, a junior from Jamesville, NY; Libby Reed, a senior who also has a minor in Communication and is vice president of the Music Industry Club, from Manlius, NY, and Mr. Carrera – are enrolled in MUSB 351: Digital Marketing for the Music Industry, and are handling promotional duties for the duo’s campus visit.
To attend the luncheon, register here
Neither musician is a stranger to the SUNY Fredonia campus.
Ramsey, lead vocalist and violinist with 10,000 Maniacs, is a SUNY Fredonia alumna who earned a degree majoring in Music Performance. A classically trained musician, she has performed with the Erie Philharmonic and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Lombardo, a guitarist and composer, is a founding member of 10,000 Maniacs and a SUNY Geneseo graduate.
Both have met informally with students and performed on the campus on several occasions.
Ramsey and Lombardo began performing together at the Allentown Art Festival in 1990. Their debut album, “Victory Garden,” released in 1991, was followed by “The Weedkiller’s Daughter” in 1993. The duo was the opening act for 10,000 Maniacs during their Capsule Tour.
Formed in 1981 in Jamestown, NY, 10,000 Maniacs continues to perform and has concerts scheduled in Ohio and Michigan during the week following their campus visit.
