Our Story

The Wayward Creek Band includes Debbie Cushman, Elizabeth Giffin and Mary Nienaber. We play an assortment of folk, bluegrass, hymns and other music as inspired by the setting. Our trio had the good fortune of meeting through providing music for Wednesday evening chapel services at Unity Unitarian in St. Paul, MN.

Debbie grew up in Madison, WI. She was a Suzuki piano student and learned guitar as an adult. She hopes someday to see the black and white keys more clearly on the fretboard. A nonprofit administrator by day, Debbie uses some of her free time to sing with Unity's Women's Ensemble and perform around town with these Creek girls and Granger's Moonshine. Previously she also released several records with the alt-country duo Footfall. To keep up with what's going on, head over debbiecushmanmusic.com

Elizabeth is originally from Dunlap, IL and works in hospice as a music therapist and counselor. Recently, Elizabeth coordinated Unity's drumming participation in the Pride Festival and was also a participant in the Percussion Ensemble for Arthur Foote Music Sunday. Elizabeth enjoys exploring various instruments and isn't afraid to play any of them anywhere. She can revive an accordion using unconventional methods and recently brought a washboard into the fold. 

Mary has been involved in providing church and other music for many years and has absolutely no academic preparation for it. She is recently returned to the Twin Cities, having moved home after many years in northern Minnesota. In her daytime hours Mary runs the HR department for a local community college. Mary is the proud owner of a new banjo - for which we are very grateful - and plays a mean kazoo.