Gigs
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Mary’s first band just out of high school was a group led by Don Strand called Cassidy. The group has an out-of-print CD, their music was complex and intricate, and at the same time delightful. They once opened for Bonnie Raite and for Billy Joel. Members lived on a farm/commune outside the Twin Cities for several years. Mary sang and played guitar and flute.
As noted in her bio, Mary’s travels “criss-crossed” America on the college circuit for over 20 years - Los Angeles, Key West, Portland Oregon, and at home in the Twin Cities. She played solo or with a variety of bands. She took great pride in being well put together at her gigs, always an attractive, winsome little sprite. She was good at conversing with the audience, inviting their personal stories, and if she saw you twice, she was your friend. Even when experiencing great adversity personally, she was a positive light – engaging and encouraging. When the gig was to host an open mic, she invited all levels of folks to perform, allowed them to express their talent and appreciated their efforts. She never wanted to have enemies and wanted people to feel good about themselves. She often invited other musicians to “sit in” and/or perform a couple numbers. So many people followed her because she invited them in…
In her autumn years her main gig, lasting again over 20 years, was at the Minnesota Music Cafe. Her oil portrait of Willie Murphy hangs on their illustrious wall. On Friday nights, 5 to 7, Mary and her band the Young Relics played inside in winter, outside on the patio in summer. She loved warm weather, and patios were among her favorite places to play. She was at best a true child of nature. The Young Relics in their current configuration continue to play at Thursday Happy Hour, once per month at MMC.
Mary had two familiar mantras. One was the irreverent “Shit, Fuck, Piss”! Apparently one sister would say Shit, the next one Fuck, and the last Piss. Mary took the combo to heart. The other was when she flashed the Peace Sign, and said “Peace, Love, Dove”!
To Mary, as you cross that Rainbow Bridge, Peace, Love Dove, girl, ya done well…
We want to express a HUGE thanks to Mary’s family, who are making a real effort to provide her legacy with this beautiful website. Mary loved each of you - Mom Gayl, Brother Paul, and Sisters Lisa, Anne, Jane, Meg, Cynthia, Theresa, and Patty (deceased) - to the Moon and Back...
Mary Ray Elias self portrait pastels
Book cover titled 'CASSIDY' with author 'Don Strand' and a top left illustration of flying birds inside a circle.
Playlist of musical performers including Don Strand, Mary Elias, Dave Smith, Mark Smith, John Runge, Fred Weber, and Don Strand, with roles on guitar, vocals, bass, and tuba, at a musical event.
Black and white photo of six people, five men and one woman, standing and sitting outdoors near a woven basket and some hay or straw. All are dressed in vintage clothing, likely from the mid-20th century.
Black and white photo of six young adults outdoors, some standing and some kneeling, during a festival with Don Strand, with trees and a small building in the background.
Poster for a music event featuring The Young Relics, every Sunday from 8:00 PM to midnight at Michael's, with performance artists Mary Elias, Cheater Slick, and Bill Travers, warning about increased audience risk level.
Photograph of two musicians performing at the Dry Bones Blues Festival, with a headline about the festival celebrating sobriety.
Handwritten flyer for a music gathering featuring guitars and a saxophone, with details about a Friday night event from 8:30 to 12:30 at 173 S. Robert. The flyer bears the title 'Mary Elias friends' and has musical notes and a musical staff. There is also a handwritten note that says, 'From our hands of your ears.'
Poster promoting a show featuring Mary Elias and The Young Relics, with photos of the performers and event details including time and no cover charge.
Handwritten notes with addresses, dates, and phone numbers on crumpled paper
A woman with long red hair holding a silver flute near her face, looking to the side.
Two musicians, one playing a saxophone and the other playing a guitar, appearing to be enjoying a lively moment during a musical performance.
Young woman holding an acoustic guitar against a dark background.
A woman playing saxophone and a man holding an electric guitar against a plain background.
A woman holding a saxophone standing behind a man playing an acoustic guitar, both smiling against a plain white background.
Compilation of three women with different hairstyles and glasses, each shown in separate images. The top left woman has long blonde hair and is holding a flute, the top right woman is singing into a microphone with curly hair, and the bottom woman has short blonde hair, glasses, and is smiling.
A woman with long, wavy blonde hair looking down, standing in a dimly lit bar or pub with shelves of bottles and glasses in the background.
Woman with long blonde hair sitting at a table in a dimly lit bar, with red string lights on the ceiling and a green illuminated sign in the background.
A newspaper clipping featuring a headline about a songwriter's showcase event on September 4, 1979. It includes photographs of four individuals, three women and one man, with brief descriptions or bios underneath each photo.
Words and music by Jolie Nelson, Kara Erickson, & Mary Ray Elias
A woman wearing a large fur coat holding a small white dog indoors, near a door and a guitar.
Animal Inn Training Diploma awarded to Boone for completing a beginner's course with a date of September 13, 2016, signed by the trainer.
Woman with long blonde hair making a peace sign and holding a guitar pick in an outdoor patio area.