If you have spent time in local restaurants, bars, coffee houses over the last year or so you may have run into me. My name is Erin Mahone and I am the singer for the Jazz group Erin and Friends. You will usually find me playing with my friend, the amazing jazz guitarist, Bob Blagg. Our repertoire is the Great American Songbook of standards we all know and love. We add our own touch to make your time with us classic and current all at once.

We began our musical journey together last December - almost a year! Amazing how quickly time flies. A seredipitous conversation between our spouses at an event for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts determined that I sang and he played and we should meet. My husband delivered me Bob's business card. We met a few days later and the rest is musical history! After only a few short weeks we were playing a monthly gig at the Positive Vibe Cafe - a wonderful organization with great food, an awesome cause, and such a terrific place for me to cut my teeth.

Oh, did I forget to tell you? Until a month before Bob and I met when I sang at a wedding - it had been 8 years since I had performed in public.

After leaving the professional singer's life behind in New York City, I spent those years being a wife, mother, student, social worker, teacher, and writer. I found my purpose in singing to my children (even when they asked me not to). The thought never occured to me that I'd be living that life once again. But here I am and oh how joyous it is!

I have been honored, for the last 5 years, to be a part of the V Magazine for Women family with the wonderful support of Annie Tobey. I am excited to share with you the V readers all of my exciting experiences on this journey of re-re-invention.

Please stay tuned for reports on our latest gigs, recording efforts, videos, and interactions with other great Richmond musicians!

You can visit us 3 Sundays a month at the Urban Farmhouse in Shockoe Slip for brunch from 11-1, the 3rd Sunday of the month at Mosaic on River Road from 11:30 -2, and the 2nd Tuesday of the month for the Palermo Charity Wine Tasting event from 5:30 -7:30 pm in the Westchester Commons. Also, check out our web site at www.erinandfriends.com for upcoming events, join our Erin and Friends facebook group, and please keep us in mind for your future events. Thank you and I look forward to taking you along for the ride. Happy Holidays!