In 1983, Lee Mahony—a vocalist possessing a golden throat and the iron will to match—caught the ear of Patty Parker, a producer who knew how to turn raw potential into country gold. Alongside her husband Frank Fara, Parker operated Comstock Records; the label was a high-powered promotion machine dedicated to giving independent artists a fighting chance.
Mahony headed to Music City to cut her debut, resulting in the single “Freedom Is Only Another Word for Lonely” b/w “One Good Turn” (COM 1727). Released during an era when independent country was a grassroots battle for airwaves, the record was serviced to stations across North America and Europe, showcasing Mahony’s voice as part of Comstock’s continued international output. It remains a definitive artifact of 1980s indie crossover country. Today, Fervor Records continues to preserve this chapter of country music history, ensuring Mahony’s raw potential is heard by new generations.
