Enigmatic country artist Mary Gauthier will be at The Auditorium Nov. 3 for Fall Diversity Weekend. Starting a music career later in life than most, she wrote her first song at age 35. Gauthier has had great success, winning many awards such as Album of the Year from the Americana Music Awards and nominated for the GLAAD Outstanding Music Artist of the Year. She has performed at The Grand Ole Opry and been featured on CBS This Morning. Rolling Stone included her song “Mercy Now” on its list of the saddest country songs ever. Gauthier’s album “Drag Queens in Limousines” included an autobiographical song “I Drink” which has been covered by many artists and included on a 2004 Blake Shelton album.
The most meaningful achievement comes with her latest album Rifles & Rosary Beads, the first album produced exclusively with songs co-written by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. Gauthier has been working with SongwritingWith:Soldiers, a Texas organization that pairs traumatised veterans with professional songwriters so the vets can experience the healing power of music. Doing her part to change the alarming statistic of 22 veteran suicides every single day, Gauthier’s idea for the album includes proceeds to support SongwritingWith:Soldiers. As she shares the work that veterans have called life-changing and life-saving, Gauthier’s powerful and moving music speaks to the soul, leaving one with a sense of reflection.
The Aud show is Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., with openers Route 358 (you may have heard them at Brews) and The Molly Healey Trio. Tickets can be purchased at theaud.org