Marnee Returns to Howe

MARNEE, pronounced 'MarnAY', is an 11 year old singer, songwriter, guitarist. She will be appearing this Saturday in the Town Square Park as a part of the Howe Community Association Concert Series. Concert time is 7pm. Admission is free. Bring a chair and a friend for this great night of music from a new phenomenon.

This will be Marnee's second appearance as part of the concert series in Howe. She was very well received in her 2007 debut. We are looking forward to her return this week.

Marnee has been singing since before she could speak . She would sing, though she knew no words. When she was very young, she only sang while she was playing with toys or doodling. It was quite a sight to see her in the back yard, digging in the dirt, singing like an angel. Marnee only sang her songs and she would not sing for anyone.

From the time Marnee was two years old, people commented on her incredible singing & would ask if she was taking singing lessons. We always responded that it was amazing that they even heard Marnee singing because she only sang when she was playing and was unaware that anyone was listening.

At age 3 1/2, Marnee went to the music store with her Dad. While he was paying for some guitar strings, he heard someone picking out scales on a piano. Just then the cashier asked "How long has she been in lessons"? Surprised, after turning around to see it was Marnee, he could only respond "This is the first time she has ever seen a piano".

At age 6 1/2 Marnee asks her dad to teach her guitar. He taught her some chords...then some more and soon she was playing her chords with ease . "Marnee was so enthralled with this instrument that we decided to get her a guitar. We found a student guitar on Ebay for $10. $5 more in shipping & Marnee had her own guitar . Marnee could rarely be found without her guitar."

Her parents knew exactly what to get Marnee for her eighth birthday . A Washburn guitar!

At age 9 Marnee performed in public for the first time , at the school talent show. Marnee is "at home" on stage and stunned the audience . Soon after this, she started to play at coffee houses .

At age 10 Marnee wins Top Vocalist (in her category) at Talent Rock in Orlando, Florida. Marnee wins 1st place (in her category) at 'Rising Stars' , a local talent competition .

Other than music class at school, Marnee has never had voice a lesson . Marnee is also fortunate to have a wonderful music teacher at school who has given her direction .

Marnee's father has been the biggest musical influence in her life. He works with her from the understanding that he is teaching Marnee to develop & nurture her gift . Being a musician himself , he has a respect for other artists. He makes suggestions and Marnee determines if she will use a suggestion or not. An example: He suggested to shorten an 11 minute song. He does not interfere with her lyrics or composition but gives her the freedom to develop & mature in her unique musical expression.

Marnee recorded a demo CD in Dec. 2006. This gave a brief glimpse of what her abilities in the studio would be. Beginning her full length CD (entirely written and performed by Marnee) in June 2007, Marnee decided she wanted to record her guitar and vocals simultaneously and to keep the music raw, no effects and little accompaniment. What you hear, is what you get, and what you get is unexplainable. "Down In The Valley" was done in 2 takes.

CDs & Videos are not able to fully capture the amazing musical expression & energy that Marnee exudes. If you have a chance to experience Marnee LIVE.....be ready for a shock! While Marnee is simply doing something she loves, this is a moment you will always remember.

You can read more about Marnee and hear some of her music at http://www.myspace.com/marneeaugust.
For more information about the Howe Community Association or the Summer Concerts you may contact Dewey Miller at 260/562-2260 or howecommunity@yahoo.com.