THE HOT MAMAS
The Hot Mamas are an all-female singer-songwriter collective that is rapidly gaining interest around the Shenandoah Valley. With instrumentation ranging from toy piano, clarinet, banjo, accordion, ukulele, washboard, dueling kazoos to amazing harmonies, The Hot Mamas not only entertain and know how to have a good time but they also captivate audiences with their depth. Their writing styles range from jazzy to pop, from sea chanteys to murder ballads, soulful blues
to drinkin’-when-you’re-sad country tunes. The Hot Mamas are quirky, fun, profound and sincere and not to be missed!
GIRL-POWER BALLAD
Hot Mamas Quartet of Staunton to Host Women’s Songwriting Contest at Court Square Theater
Young and McKendry both said they got their start at different times performing at open mic nights at the Little Grill Collective, the North Main Street brunch spot that has been closed indefinitely since the fall, with no comments from worker-owners.
“It’s a nerve-wracking thing but it’s something you’ve got to do if you want to get to the next level,” Young said. “That was my songwriting beginning and singing beginning.”
The Hot Mamas plan to host the all-women songwriting competition this spring, with a location to be determined. The band hopes to offer a welcoming, warm environment for the competition, McKendry said.
“You’re going to be a better creator if you feel safe in that space,” McKendry said. “When you’re afraid, you don’t make great art -- typically. There’s probably someone out there bucking that.”
HISTORY, Highlights
& ACHIEVEMENTS
MAY 2022
BARREN RIDGE
VINEYARDS
Fall 2022
ADVANCING THE
ARTS AWARD
OCT 2022
FALL FOLIAGE
ARTS FESTIVAL
DEC 2022 (AND 2023)
NEW YEARS EVE,
SOLD OUT!
JAN 2023
RECORD RECORDED LIVE,
SOLD OUT!
APR 2023
​FEMME SONGWRITING CONTEST
MAY 2023
​ALBUM RELEASE!!
JUNE 2023
​REDWING ROOTS GUESTS
JULY 2023
​HAMPTON ROADS TOUR
The Hot Mamas formed to play a last-minute three-hour show (First Show!) at Barren Ridge Vineyards, Fishersville, VA.
Arts Council of the Valley Advancing the Arts Grant Recipient. The Hot Mamas won a grant that allowed them to record their first album!
Performed at the Fall Foliage Arts Festival before an audience of thousands of awesome folks.
Sold Out New Years Eve Show at Redbeard Brewing, Staunton, VA.
Sold Out Live Recording Show at Clementine Cafe, Harrisonburg, VA.
Hosted Sold Out Femme Singer-Songwriter Contest at Pale Fire, Harrisonburg, VA. Winner named: Julia Catherine!
Released First Album!! Show Featuring sets by Spectator Bird and Contest Winner Julia Catherine. Court Square Theater, Harrisonburg, VA.
Performed "Bird On A Wire" and "Shame" with Corrie Lynn Green onstage at Redwing Roots Music Festival, Natural Chimneys, VA.
​Performed on WAVY TV 10 for Live Music Friday. Performed sold-out listening room show at award-winning venue Victorian Station--The Big Pink.
AUG 2023 (AND 2024)
STEPPIN'​ OUT FEST
Headlined Friday Acoustic Stage for Steppin' Out Fest which had 30,000 attendants this year! Blacksburg, VA.
JAN 2024
JAMMIN' JAVA
Sold Out Show! Opened for Big Richard Band and played encore song with these award-winning, world-renowned babes!
FEB 2024
SUBTERRANEAN SOUND, SOLD OUT!
MAY 2024
TWO YEAR BIRTHDAY BASH!
JUL 2024
AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER
JUL 2024
SHINDIG
JUL 2024
PURPLE FIDDLE
AUG 2024
MUSIKFEST
SEP 2024
SILK MOTH STAGE
The Hot Mamas played an all-original Sold Out Show in a Cave!
Played a double birthday bash with Mayday at The Southern in Charlottesville, VA.
Performed opening music for the All-Female production of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) [revised] (again).
Played powerhouse set at private camping festival with artists Larry Keel and Into The Fog.
Played all-original set at Historic Americana Music Venue The Purple Fiddle opening for Jeremy Pinnell and his band.
Performed a Main Stage Set and an acoustic Lagerplatz Stage Set at Muskiest which had over 1 million attendees in Bethlehem, PA.
Played opening music before several productions of "The Grown Up" performed by Silk Moth Stage.
CONTACT
THE HOT MAMAS
Staunton, VA
Larry Keel
Larry Keel Experience
Red Hot!
Amy Marcella Labarge
FANTASTIC! We stumbled upon this band on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at our favorite
brewery and we knew we would travel 40 minutes to see them the next day, because we
LOVED THEIR MUSIC!
Gordon Davies
Recording Engineer at Singletrack Audio
Objectively fun as sh*t!
Rhys McClelland
Daily News-Record
These multi-talented musical women bring a selection of instruments to a live show that would surprise and tantalize any music fan. Their songs come together on tiny piano, clarinet, accordion, ukulele, Irish bodhrán, washboard, spoons and even a jug bass. All this might give a chaotic impression but that impression would be far from correct. The music and the well rehearsed harmony delivers a wildly entertaining, carefully arranged set, full of musical surprises, compelling rhythms, fun and creativity. With this band the creativity is fueled by compassion, fun and lots of sisterly love that clearly informs the music and atmosphere of the shows.
Eric La Frenière
We went to see The Hot Mamas Friday night at The Blackburn Inn, and they rocked! Lots of goddess energy, excellent breakup songs and some saucy, suggestive language. All four voices solo-worthy. Last song was written by the entire band: was eminently danceable. Just delightful. We’ll go see them again!
Music City Memo
“Live at Clementine Café” expands upon their trademark musical identity by tackling a wide assortment of relatable, everyday issues. The Hot Mamas have the remarkable ability of taking potentially tough or disappointing subjects and spin it with an overwhelming sense of optimism, resiliency, and enjoying the absurdity of life’s unpredictable nature. The honest songwriting provides a haven where everything will be alright and work out as it should without judgement or critique. Whether it is covering the end of a toxic relationship, the loss of a treasured family member, the transition of seasons, planning for your ideal life, or having a shot at romance, The Hot Mamas are on a mission to share vivid stories with a signature mix of liveliness and authenticity.