By BAXTER SMITH
Like the comet Hyakutake that gloed in the night sky recently, the career of singer Mary Lou Magee and her band the Untouchables have been burning brighter than ever.
The group, led by former Randallstiwn resident Magee, opened for comedian Dana Carvey when he appeared at the Baltimore Arena in December. And the band has high expectations for its new CD coming out this month, "Untouched," which contains mostly original material.
The nine-member band has a faithful following and packs the house when it appears at certain clubs, particularly on the Eastern Shore. It has a full schedule of appearances into May.
Recently it enjoyed prime billing in a successful benefit at the Windsor Inn that raised money for children's musical programs.
September will mark the Untouchables' fourth anniversary. Important contributions have come from each band member. A great deal of the success is due to Magee herself.
A million watts of musical energy and dimples, Magee, 30, is band leader and fulfills management and booking duties. She is helped by band co-founder and co-manager Charlie Hamilton, who sings, handles keyboards and assists with coordination.
With her deep, almost froggy, voice and trademark bowler hat, Magee sets the tone for the band. The group comes onstage with the horn section strutting choreographed moves and having an air of the Untouchables of the 1930s Chicago gangster era in natty suits and big hats drawn low over dark shades.
The band typically performs a few numbers to warm up the crowd before Magee comes on to sing.
In the Untouchables Magee has something she wanted but did not have in her previous band, and that is a horn section.
Alan Dahlstrom plays [alto and tenor] sax, Saul Strieb handles baritone sax and trombone duties, and Bobby List performs on trumpet along with Brian Sanders. The band is rounded out by Steve Sengstack on bass, Danny Lough on guitar and John Gleim on drums.
"I couldn't ask for a nicer group than what I've got," Magee said.
Magee is well-known for her Janis Joplin routine. The band regularly performs James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and R&B numbers, as well as pop favorites and swing.
"We like to do songs from the heart. The ones that talk about love or heartache," Magee said.
The band has performed with Clarence Clemmons of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band.
One of Magee's biggest fans is her husband, Leonard Kern. The two were married last July, and the Untouchables played at their wedding.
As to his thoughts on being married to a rising musical star, Kern said he enjoys the life. "That's where her heart is," he said.