Members: Mark May, Dave Absalom - 2nd guitar, Tim Keefe - bass, Gary Jorgenson - drums and Joe McMullens - percussion.

Sounds Like: Albert Collins, Allman Brothers Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King, Derek Trucks

Label: Bad Fork Records, Flyin Dog Records

Manager: Mark May, Abby Owen Agency

Release My Soul, the 5th cd from Mark May (former guitarist and vocalist for Dickey Betts and Great Southern), is jam-packed with traditional blues, blues-rock and soulful ballads.

Bio: Perfecting his craft playing rough and tumble biker bars and blues clubs in Houston, Texas for over 20 years, Mark recently returned to his hometown, Columbus, Ohio, where he performed in nightclubs before his 15th birthday. His astonishing live shows featuring dynamic twin leads and dual harmony guitar work are the perfect complement to Mark's smooth vocals.

The Mark May Band has performed at Telluride Blues and Brews, Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, King Biscuit, Tremblant International Blues Festival, Dallas International Guitar Show, Chenango Blues Festival, Lone Star Rally, Dogs on Hawgs, Houston International Festival, House Of Blues - Houston and in addition, was opening act for Allman Brothers Amphitheater Tour in 1997 & 1998.

Mark currently gets heavy rotation on Sirius/XM and Sonic Tap radio. He has been featured in Blues Review, Guitar Player, Guitar World, Vintage Guitar, Tone Quest and other major publications.

Mark May Reviews

"Equal part blues man and southern rocker, Mark has just released his fifth disc entitled "Release My Soul", his most ambitious and stylistically diverse project to date. Eleven original tracks that showcase his talent to pen strong melodic songs, featuring warm confident vocals and stinging guitar work and instrumentation. If you dig your blues with an attitude, you owe it to yourself to check this one out."
- The Blues Hound, 90.1 FM KPFT Houston

"Mark May is far and away one of the most talented and passionate bluesmen I've ever had the pleasure to listen to. His songs work their way into your very soul...in a way that makes you feel naughty for liking them so much. His licks are like narcotic...you simply can't wait for that next hit."
- Sue Leighton, Program Director QFM96...Host of "Blue Monday"

"When I heard the first CD, Call on the Blues, I was blown away! Mark is one of the best blues-rock artists to come along in years. With great singing/song-writing and guitar playing, he reminds me of everyone from Albert Collins to Stevie Ray to Carlos Santana. Hell, I even heard a couple of my licks in there!"
- Dickey Betts

"For those who like his sound, this CD will not disappoint. True Mark May from beginning to end. There are songs reminiscent of 'Call on the Blues', Telephone Road Houston, Tx AND Doll Maker, and some real surprises that stretch Mark's creativity, which is obviously ever-expanding and so nice to witness." ~ A.S.O.

"Mark May's gutsy tone, feisty pull-off licks and ground-glass vocals invite comparison to any number of Texas bluesmen. But the twin guitar leads, wah rhythm spanks, and occasional burst of fusionesque melodic complexity that pepper his second release Telephone Road, Houston, TX, make May something much more than just another traditionalist." GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE

"Mark May's Telephone Road had me so captivated that it almost didn't get reviewed in Blues Revue-I was holding it hostage in my car! May is a lead guitarist with a Southern-Fried sound and jazzy technique that expands beyond the workday blues, this 12-song disc bursts with tons of musical talent." BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE

"Mark plunges into an Albert Collins song called 'Lights Are On But Nobody's Home'. Just when you think this sweet and powerful rendition of the blues song has been interpreted as well as is possible, Mark slides in with a lead that not only blew me away, he brought the feel to a level that quite frankly probably transcends what anyone could do with it." REAL BLUES MAGAZINE

“Let’s agree that if Dickey Betts calls you out to be his right hand man, you must be doing something right. We caught up with Mark fresh from the van after having played five gigs in three days, on his way to – where else? The next show.” – Riverhorse the ToneQuest Report Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.