It’s hard to imagine a kid from a small town like Greenville, MS. embracing a life in a “big city”, but a constant devotion to always search for new things in life brought him to New Orleans.  ” I remember the first time I saw George Porter, Jr, he played like no-one I had ever seen or heard, not to mention I couldn’t stop moving my feet.  From that day forward, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.”

Marcus studied Business at The University of Southern Mississippi and moved to New Orleans with long-time friend and photographer Michael Foster. “Mike’s brother left a bass behind during the move with an amp; the only thing I needed was a cable and some lessons. Little did I know that the guy next door would eventually teach me some Grateful Dead tunes and we would form a band called Sound’s End.  I can remember the very first cover tune he taught me at our first practice, Cissy Strut by The Meters; I was in heaven.”  Sound’s End played in the New Orleans and Jackson, MS. area for about 2 years and added member Steve Kelly in 2003.  Marcus also owes a tremendous credit to New Orleans native and bass mentor Jim Markway; “Jim was a huge influence on me as I learned the instrument.  He was a major part of my growth and helped me learn valuable ways to approach the bass guitar.”

The next step was to branch out and be a little more creative. “I think the time had come to stop playing other people’s music and start creating my own, so with the help of Steve; Gravy was made.”  For the last 4 years Marcus has played with Gravy in New Orleans, and the band has taken them from Colorado to Kentucky, and from Alabama to Pennsylvania.  Marcus has appeared with Gravy in the 2006 Sept/Oct issue of Relix Magazine, and also appeared on the compilation “Start the Music Up” along side: Professor Longhair, Galactic, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and Theresa Andersson.

Stephen Kelly grew up in Lexington, KY, and was classically educated at an early age.  He was a member of the famed Paul Laurence Dunbar Band, performing and winning in multiple state, regional, and national competitions under the tutelage of Craig Cornish.  Despite performing with accomplished marching and symphonic bands in his high school career, Steve yearned to explore the music that had embraced his heart from the beginning.  Steve cites his parents as his earliest musical influence.  His mother would play old Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye albums while she cleaned the house, and his father would play Santana and Earth, Wind, & Fire while he worked in the yard.  It was these artists, and others like them, who left an indelible impression on Stephen from a young age.

Once he had finished high school, Stephen headed south, to the University of Alabama, where he traded in his formal education and classical music for an electric guitar and rock & roll.  His first experience playing live, however, would leave a strong impression on the young artist.  He bombed miserably.  Stage fright gripped him so tightly during his solo performance that he couldn’t remember the lyrics or chord progressions to any of the songs he tried to play.  Ever determined to succeed, Stephen began telling jokes, easing his anxiety with the laughter of his audience.  When his nerves had finally settled, he finished his set without error, much to the delight of himself and his audience.

This experience left Stephen with both a desire to play more, and the reminder to always be prepared.  Thus, he immersed himself in his music, listening, learning, and writing.  He found companionship and inspiration in his newfound bandmates, and with the members of other local bands.  The relationships that he forged with fellow musicians such as Lee Yankie, Ben Morehead, Brian Less, and Harrison McInnis would prove to be a large influence on Stephen.

After a brief stint in Nashville where he became weary of the music industry, Stephen sought a change of scenery, and found home in New Orleans.  The atmosphere was very welcoming, the talent pool was endless, and the opportunities were around every corner.  Stephen has made his home there ever since, becoming a founding member of Gravy and sitting in with various acts throughout the South, friends and strangers alike.  Quick with a smile, Kelly continues to live out his dreams…