Pocket Change 916

The birth of a band: 

Pocket Change Classic Country born by a comment. One summer after a jam session, while waiting in line at a food truck event, Mary Lou and Maryann started harmonizing a song we had been playing when a stranger in front of them said ‘hey you guys are good, you should start a band’. The  food truck event was located in Sacramento’s "Pocket neighborhood" which was a partial reason for the name "Pocket Change". 

As regular volunteers at animal shelters, retired law enforcement officers, good friends and musicians they were soon playing benefits for animal rescue, police fund raisers and busking from Old Sacramento to the delta, having fun, sharpening skills and gathering experience and fans. 

The band is influenced by musical legends such as Hank Williams Sr, Emmy Lou Harris, Highway 101, Chet Atkins the Carter Family  and other Blue Grass greats.  

Band Members: 

David 

Playing lead guitar and mandolin, David Flaa grew up listening to Hank Williams the Carter Family and other country legends which nurtured his taste for traditional Country music. Later hearing the Nitty Gritty Dirt band, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson Johnnie Cash and other greats further influenced his playing style. 

Self taught by recording songs late at night from Oklahoma radio station KOMA, using a copper wire taped to the wall as an antenna, and watching other players shape chords, he taught himself how to play guitar.  A few years later David was playing in his first of several  bands. 

Mary Lou 

Mary Lou was born into a musical family listening to  her father playing banjo, accordion, guitar,  ukulele and mandolin as well as singing, put music in her DNA. After starting guitar in high school, she went on to try her hand at the violin, autoharp and dobro.

In 2006 she finally found her musical calling when she tried a double bass at a Bluegrass music festival and fell in love, took it home and started a family. Her “bass family” includes “Bertha”, “Billy” and “Bitty”. A traditional “dog house” bass, a “rockabilly” bass and a “U”  (ukulele) bass. 

Self taught, with an incredible ear for music harmony and meter she keeps the band on the beat and creates a foundation the music builds on. 

Maryann 

 Maryann, who plays rhythm guitar, sings lead and harmony has been an active musician most of her life. Her interest in music started at an early age playing the violin in grammar school and teaching herself guitar in junior high. By high school she was playing drums and also tried harmonica, piano, mandolin and banjo. Over the years, she has played drums, guitar and sang in several bands. 

Strongly influenced by her mother who sang, Maryann has had years of voice training. Her influences including her mother, are Joan Baez, Carol King, Cat Stevens and others.