A Few of the Bay State Artists

Donnie Herron

Donnie Herron, the multi-instumentalist, has been a member of Bob Dylan's band since 2005. When Bob Dylan played Boston in late 2009 Donnie got to experience a Bay State Excelsior and acquire one for himself. The Excelsior is now on stage at every Bob Dylan performance and travels with the musicians making music on the tour bus. Donnie says "it is one of the finest acoustic guitars he has ever played" and he cannot wait to get it in the recording studio! Listen for it on the next Dylan CD!

Dave Foley

Dave is a hard working Boston based musician who does considerable studio work as well as live performances. Dave is playing a "Tilton" with a pickup installed as his main performing instrument. He says the smallest bodied Bay State is a wonderful recording guitar. Look for his Nashville inspired country album showcasing the Bay State due out any time!

Lori McKenna

Lori McKenna is a Nashville recording artist and songwriter. Her albums include Paper Wings & Halo (1998), followed by Pieces of Me (2001), The Kitchen Tapes (2003) and Bittertown in 2004. McKenna's friend and fellow songwriter Mary Gauthier brought McKenna's music to the attention of Harlan Howard's publishing company in Nashville. In turn, the company then pitched McKenna's material to Faith Hill, who cut three of her songs for her 2005 album Fireflies. McKenna then appeared at Hill's invitation on an episode of Oprah. Sara Evans also cut a track from Bittertown, titled "Bible Song," for her 2005 album Real Fine Place. She is presently on tour in support of her latest album, Lorraine. Look for her custom Excelsior throughout 2011! See her in concert here.

Kiley Evans

Kiley Evans is a Boston songwriter/performer with a Nashville soul. Kiley's first single, "Johnny Depp" is creating an infectious buzz on country radio, and Kiley is well on her way to becoming one of the next big names in country music. Check out her music and be sure and see her perform with her new Ditson! See her latest single here.

Mark Hodgson

Also known as “Muddyharp”, Mark Hodgson has been working steady since 1971 as a band leader (Rootie Tootie Band, Midnight Creepers, Extreme Blues, Romeos’ Bleeding, Mark Hodgson Band, Noble thin man Watts, Florida Blues All-Stars) and as a solo artist. He has appeared in concert as a support act with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, B.B. King, Tony Joe White, Canned Heat, Leon Russell, Foghat, Johnny Winter, Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots, Tanya Tucker, Jeff Healy and many others. His 20 year relationship with the late great tenor saxophonist Noble thin man Watts served as his apprenticeship as a bluesman. Over the years Hodgson has recorded and released over 20 records. The latest effort with British guitarist Chris Lee, (Hodgson lee Project) hit #10 on the Airplay Direct Blues Charts. In 1997 KingSnake Records released “Extreme Blues” internationally, which is regarded as one of the influential records in Blues. Hodgson currently records under his own label, Fugitive Poet Music and is signed to record for  Stephen Dees’ Wild Roots Records with Mr. Dees (Novo Combo, Hall and Oats, Victor Wainwright) producing. Hodgson says his custom left handed Haynes Excelsior is the best guitar he has ever played and recorded with.