Country music fans are anxiously awaiting a chance to see performer Chris Cagle at Sunday’s Smiles for Habitat Concert at McKinney’s Adriatica at Stonebridge Ranch. But many McKinney locals and the North Texas area, for that matter, are just as excited about Cagle’s opening act, McKinney’s own The Maylee Thomas Band.
“You might not normally think I’d go with a country artist, but some of the songs on our newest CD you could certainly hear on the [cross-over] country stations,” Maylee Thomas-Fuller said. “My music encompasses a lot of different styles, which makes it great for entertaining, but it’s a bit of a detriment for anyone trying to figure out how to market me.”
Maylee’s band, which includes husband-manager George Fuller on guitar and vocals, has a big fan base of its own, performing in McKinney last weekend to a standing-room only, spill-into-the-street crowd at Cadillac Pizza Pub on the downtown square.
This singer-songwriter mom of four has a soulful voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt. The music found on her CDs feature rock beats, ballad/lullabies, her personal twist on Christmas music, and alternative bluesy sounds, all with a faith-based but not always blatantly-obvious message.
“I want people to leave one of my performances with more than just a superficial good time. I want to touch their souls,” Thomas-Fuller said. “I know I have a gift God gave me and, through my music, I celebrate that gift.”
Starting on stages in Dallas in the 1980s, Maylee often worked multiple jobs to support her fledgling music career.
“There were actually times I had to make the conscious decision of whether to buy bread or shampoo,” said Thomas-Fuller with a laugh.
Now, after more than 25 years performing at churches, festivals, clubs, and on concert stages here and abroad (even playing on a mission trip to Croatia two years ago), Maylee enjoys time with her family in McKinney while she continues to make music with her band, something she sees herself doing indefinitely.
“The 70s, 80s and 90s have all had their own sounds, and there are plenty of artists – look at the Rolling Stones - who have been able to stay alive in the music business by evolving their sound,” Thomas-Fuller said. “Music is alive, evolving, and you can evolve your sound while staying true to your message.”
Thomas-Fuller carries her God-inspired message off the stage as well through the Love Life Foundation (www.lovelifefoundation.com), a charitable organization the Fullers founded. This foundation has provided more than $1 million in contributions to children’s charities, reaching children in need around the world, both in the U.S. and in faraway places such as an orphanage in Axum, Ethiopia. It was at this orphanage where the Fullers met a 10-year-old girl who became their daughter last year. Their foundation has since worked to improve conditions for all 300-plus children living there.
“It is the Foundation’s contribution to Habitat for Humanity that is funding my band’s performance during Sunday’s concert,” Thomas-Fuller explained.
The Smiles For Habitat event begins at 5 p.m., and the Maylee Thomas Band (www.maylee.com) takes the stage to open for headliner country artist Chris Cagle. Fireworks are scheduled to begin shortly after dark. Food, bounce houses and other outdoor activities will also be available throughout the evening’s festivities behind the office of Dr. Jennifer Buchanan at 6595 Virginia Parkway.
The free lawn-seating concert is made possible through funding from a variety of donor organizations. Proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity
“You might not normally think I’d go with a country artist, but some of the songs on our newest CD you could certainly hear on the [cross-over] country stations,” Maylee Thomas-Fuller said. “My music encompasses a lot of different styles, which makes it great for entertaining, but it’s a bit of a detriment for anyone trying to figure out how to market me.”
Maylee’s band, which includes husband-manager George Fuller on guitar and vocals, has a big fan base of its own, performing in McKinney last weekend to a standing-room only, spill-into-the-street crowd at Cadillac Pizza Pub on the downtown square.
This singer-songwriter mom of four has a soulful voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt. The music found on her CDs feature rock beats, ballad/lullabies, her personal twist on Christmas music, and alternative bluesy sounds, all with a faith-based but not always blatantly-obvious message.
“I want people to leave one of my performances with more than just a superficial good time. I want to touch their souls,” Thomas-Fuller said. “I know I have a gift God gave me and, through my music, I celebrate that gift.”
Starting on stages in Dallas in the 1980s, Maylee often worked multiple jobs to support her fledgling music career.
“There were actually times I had to make the conscious decision of whether to buy bread or shampoo,” said Thomas-Fuller with a laugh.
Now, after more than 25 years performing at churches, festivals, clubs, and on concert stages here and abroad (even playing on a mission trip to Croatia two years ago), Maylee enjoys time with her family in McKinney while she continues to make music with her band, something she sees herself doing indefinitely.
“The 70s, 80s and 90s have all had their own sounds, and there are plenty of artists – look at the Rolling Stones - who have been able to stay alive in the music business by evolving their sound,” Thomas-Fuller said. “Music is alive, evolving, and you can evolve your sound while staying true to your message.”
Thomas-Fuller carries her God-inspired message off the stage as well through the Love Life Foundation (www.lovelifefoundation.com), a charitable organization the Fullers founded. This foundation has provided more than $1 million in contributions to children’s charities, reaching children in need around the world, both in the U.S. and in faraway places such as an orphanage in Axum, Ethiopia. It was at this orphanage where the Fullers met a 10-year-old girl who became their daughter last year. Their foundation has since worked to improve conditions for all 300-plus children living there.
“It is the Foundation’s contribution to Habitat for Humanity that is funding my band’s performance during Sunday’s concert,” Thomas-Fuller explained.
The Smiles For Habitat event begins at 5 p.m., and the Maylee Thomas Band (www.maylee.com) takes the stage to open for headliner country artist Chris Cagle. Fireworks are scheduled to begin shortly after dark. Food, bounce houses and other outdoor activities will also be available throughout the evening’s festivities behind the office of Dr. Jennifer Buchanan at 6595 Virginia Parkway.
The free lawn-seating concert is made possible through funding from a variety of donor organizations. Proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity
