Imagine the soul of the North Georgia mountains and the legacy of generations of family and friends who play country and bluegrass music. Put these in the hands of somebody with undying love of bluegrass and vocal talent to match, and you have singer Frances Mooney. Soul and heart, and a commitment that has taken her down bluegrass roads for 30 years, make Frances somebody people stand up and pay attention to, and it happens wherever the band plays.  Frances isn't afraid of the emotion that makes a song poignant, lonely, or up-beat.  For over 40 years she's led Georgia-based groups to regional popularity, and with Fontanna Sunset, Frances wants to shoot toward the moon.  Band Leader Frances Mooney says, "We feel our approach is unique for many reasons. We're mostly women, but not afraid of driving rhythm and power vocals.  Then too, we aren't afraid to vary the style, and arrange old country and rock & roll to our shows. We have some of Louisa Branscomb's original songs that we add to every show. They are traditional yet creative, with gorgeous melodies that allow for gripping harmony singing and crowd pleasing.

Frances is a veteran, having been in music over 39 years. She was a high profile singer and  Bass player with The Bluegrass Generation in the Louisville bluegrass scene around 1975 in the days when Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill still played bluegrass. Both Ricky and Vince helped on a couple of early Generation albums.  Another well known member of the Bluegrass Generation  was Danny Jones who formally played with Bill Monroe, The Goins Brothers and other various artists.  In 1975 Frances became a "Kentucky Colonel". This band traveled as far North as Canada and South to Florida.  

In 1978, back in Georgia, Frances formed "Cherokee Rose", an all female band.  At this time all female bluegrass bands were still new to the bluegrass circuit. Cherokee Rose soon began to hit the bluegrass festivals, clubs and other venues. The traveling became very hard for Frances as a single parent raising two small boys, and she chose to leave the band, one of the hardest decisions she has had to make in the music.

"But bluegrass is a habit I can't shake," Frances says. "It's too much a part of me, and I had to find a way to do that and be a good mother too."  In 1981,  Frances formed a band called "Indian Summer" and played various festivals in the Northern and Southern states. In 1987 Indian Summer won 1st place in the "WPLO" Talent Contest out of 200 entries. Skeeter Davis was one of the judges and presented us with the 1st place award, which took us to Nashville, where we performed at Opyrland and the Station Inn.  The highlight of Indian Summer's career was October, 1990 to be invited by the China Government to Shanghai, China to perform for the grand opening of the Grand Portman Hotel and to represent music of the United States.

In October 1998 Frances formed "Fontanna Sunset".  She has been known for her evocative, soulful voice, and her ability to move from the poignancy of a country ballad to the joy of an up-tempo gospel number to traditional bluegrass, always keeping the heart of the audience in her hand. 

Some players have the ability to capture and hold your attention. A few others have the magic to put you under a spell. This is singer Frances Mooney.

You may contact her at fontannasunset@comcast.net