MC & the Mystyx

By the age of 10, it was recognized that Cathy had a voice and she was soon invited to sing on stage at events and festivities in San Antonio. Although she shied away from singing in the limelight, Cathy pursued other avenues of performance in which she also excelled. She performed in musical drama with Joyas Lyricas under a performance art grant and dance performance with Sarita’s Ballet Folklorico Dance Company. Cathy has always exhibited confidence in front of an audience and it was not until Melody Ackerman approached her about singing and fronting the band did she consider getting back to her vocal roots. Cathy stepped up to the challenge and has been the voice and a dynamic entertainment force that sets MC & The Mystyx apart from other musical groups and bands. Melody began her journey as a musician, at the age of 11, when she started playing guitar. It was not long before her passion for music and the guitar lead her to establishing her first band at the age of 13 – The Melody Wranglers. John T. Floores hired the band to play Sunday dances at Floores Country Store and the band performed at the Cabaret in Bandera, the Texas Star Inn, and the Farmer’s Daughter - to mention a few. Melody went on to establish other dance hall bands that backed up the late Mel Street, and she has shared the stage with Leon Rausch, Willie Nelson, Augie Meyer, W.C. Clark, Billy Mata, the Drugstore Cowboys and Johnny Rodriguez. She also worked with Nashville songwriter Conrad Pierce, new age artist Michael Thomlinson, and recorded with Vicki Carr. Melody has backed artists, on stage and in the studio, playing many demanding guitar styles ranging from country to blues and folk to fusion. Her years of experience and exposure to various artists have made her a guitarist whose style and solos continue to engage and entertain audiences. ****Larry Grubbs****TBA**** Larry has returned to the band and is now laying down the groove for MC & The Mystyx. By the time Kirk was 12 years old, he was playing drums with a polka band in dance halls all over central Texas. Representing Highlands High in 1968, '69 and '70, Kirk received first division - playing class one rudimental snare drum solos. After three years at S.W.T.S.U. (Southwest Texas State University), playing local gigs and teaching drums, Kirk moved from Texas to North Hollywood to work at the famous REMO drumhead company. While there, Kirk studied with Mark Stevens, an in demand Los Angeles studio drummer. After returning to San Antonio, Kirk toured with various blues/country artists such as Jerry Waddell, Scott Gale, Jova Kamires, and Bernice Cortez - to name a few. In 1977, Kirk opened the first professional drum shop in south Texas. He was also the house drummer at The Plaza Club with The Jim Battani Jazz Trio. Besides playing with MC & The Mystyx, Kirk is a member of the San Antonio Living History Association that perform a re-enactment of the battle at the Alamo for hundreds of visitors who visit the historic site each year. (And yes, he plays the part of a drummer.) Kirk's broad skill set as a drummer makes him the perfect fit for MC & The Mystyx's diverse repertoire.