Accordionist, guitarist, and player of pocket-sized instruments, Mary Beth Carty of Antigonish, Nova Scotia possesses a magical voice. Her latest 14-song collection, Crossing the Causeway, was the No. 8 album of 2023 on the Folk Alliance International radio DJ chart, and she was crowned Traditional Singer of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Mary Beth fuses traditional song, instrumental tunes, & songwriting to create a multilingual opus that reflects the diverse yet unified roots of Eastern Nova Scotia. The first single, a 100-yr old Gaelic song called Mo Mhàthair or My Mother, is recieving airplay on the BBC and made it on the CIOE top songs of 2021 list. Her most popular original number, the Tow Truck Song, has recieved over 10,000 plays on Spotify.
With a unique live show that is itself a journey of emotions, times, & places, she has had the opportunity to tour in North America, Europe, and Africa. Her debut solo album, Les biens-nommés, earned nominations at the 2018 ECMAs, and her breakout duo album Voici… Bette & Wallet received award nominations and critical and fan acclaim.
“She got the crowd singing along. It was something else!”
– Bill Roach, CBC Radio
“Your musicality is so deeply rooted and simply world class.”
– Graham Nicholas (accordionist, Chicago)
“Original songs and old standards, fresh and familiar tunes are swapped in satisfying arrangements. There’s many a rough edge here, many a wry smile, and many a moment of pure joy.”
– Alex Monaghan, Irish Music Magazine
“What’s most impressive is Carty’s ability to shine in all these different musical and vocal styles, bouncing back and forth between languages, old trad numbers, her new adaptations, and her own compositions.”
– Bob Mersereau, Top 100 Canadian Singles Author
“Her voice has a gentle and understated quality that dances through the sometimes complex melodies and Gaelic lyrics seemingly effortlessly, while at times showcasing a gorgeous resonance.”
– Roots Music Canada
“An impressive display of an eclectic and very accomplished variety of talents.”
– Dan MacDonald, Cape Breton Post
“Widely known for her prowess on the guitar and the accordion as much as singing, pays tribute to diverse cultural roots with her second album.”
– Corey Leblanc, Port Hawkesbury Reporter