In the years that preceded the release of his new Decca album Join the Parade, Marc Cohn passed through several life-changing events. These events are what enabled him to reconnect with his songwriting muse, and they are in large part, what make Join the Parade an artistic, insightful and soulful statement.
Despite his time away from the recording studio, the acclaimed singer/songwriter, winner of the 1991 Grammy Award for Best New Artist, has continued to perform live and his audiences have remained steadfast. He en¬dured the pain of divorce, but in 2002 he married news anchor Elizabeth Vargas. He struggled with writer’s block and sought to break through it with a month-long tour in the summer of 2005. The gigs went great until the night of August 7, 2005. That’s when Marc Cohn was shot in the head during a random attempted carjacking after a concert in Denver.
Even though the bullet was lodged near his left temple, Marc never lost consciousness and walked out of the hospital the next day. Three weeks later, while recovering at home in New York from post-traumatic stress disorder, Cohn watched the city of New Orleans destroyed by flooding in the aftermath of Hurri¬cane Katrina.
“I got home a couple of days after being shot,” said Cohn. “And then Hurricane Katrina hit a few weeks later. I’m in the middle of my own crisis, and now I’m watching all these haunting images on television of thousands of people suffering through a far more horrific event. And then something I never could have predicted happened. It was like my song writing receiver got flipped into the on position. Everywhere I turned, in conversations I overheard, even in get well emails I was receiving, song ideas started coming. For several weeks, I’d be working on 2-3 songs simultaneously. And these songs weren’t polite about their sudden presence either; they insisted on being written.”
thanks for being a rock in the ever changing currents. its been a little while since i've spent time with your songs.. i'm happy to remember how you inspire me. (;
Marc, Saw you in Feb at the Bearsville. Such a great gig, I'll never forget it. Loving the Live EP. All the best from the UK. i hope to catch you here someday. If not - it's that long haul again!!
Marc, I just wanted to let you know that my CD, “Have Faith,” has finally been released and is now available! Also, if you get a chance, check out my new profile page (with videos on the right side) and my new Website. Leave me a comment and let me know how you are doing.
Thanks for a great show on the Cape tonight, Marc! It was pretty cool to be at your first "proper gig" on Cape Cod...I sincerely hope it's not your last!
I wanted to say again how much my friend and I enjoyed your show on August 23 at Westbury. Also really appreciated that you were kind enough to stay afterwards to meet your fans and sign the CDs. As I told you in person, I've been a fan since "Walking in Memphis" came out and you were at that club in Westhampton near a small airport - I just looked at the CD - it says 1991 - OMG, is it that long?
So glad you are "back", and I look forward to more albums and appearances in the future.
Great set in The Berkshires tonight! Best live show I've seen in a long time! Toby Lightman's amazing too. If you love the Berkshires so much, please don't be a stranger!
My song "Heard It All Before" is available in over 300 online stores including iTUNES, NAPSTER, RHAPSODY, AMAZON, IMEEM, MTRAKS, BESTBUY AND WAL-MART. COM. Check out my other tunes and request me:)
Saw you in Woodstock this year. Best gig of my life! You were a gentleman! You made the time to meet me as I'd traveled from the UK to see the last date on your tour. I've never forgot that night! Neither has my wife - she fell pregnant that night (after the gig!) Please come to the UK sometime B4 you get sick of touring. It's not often you get to meet your hero's. You had the substance I always thought you had. Kindest, Mark D
Thanks for coming to Billings, Montana. Everyone had a great time and thought you and your band were amazing. We loved every song. Travel safely throughout the rest of your tour and we want to tell everyone reading this to GO SEE MARC COHN when he comes to your town.
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