About Marianne Allison ~ New Album OUT NOW! BUY HERE!
Marianne Allison’s career is a testament to the fickleness of fate. Once a successful Certified Public Accountant, a very different future called to her – a life in music. And that future has become a thrilling present, with a fast growing fan base and acclaim for her award-winning blend of folk, pop and acoustic songwriting. On her debut album, From the Water, Marianne’s talents as a singer and songwriter shine with her incisive lyrics, gorgeous melodies and luminous voice, and with a new album on the way, her future seems limitless.
Growing up loving music and playing a little guitar, Marianne only dreamed of being a musician. She recalls, “I grew up listening to alternative music. I never thought seriously about being a musician for even a moment.” Marianne took perhaps the vocation furthest away from that of music; being a CPA in her hometown of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Dedicating her life to her career, she soon owned her own firm. With a husband and a thriving career, Marianne’s path seemed, well, predictable. In her spare time, Marianne began writing songs on the grand piano she and her husband bought. “We bought it because we needed to furnish a room,” she says with a laugh. “But I really took to it and started writing.” Within about a year, Marianne had written about 50 songs and was recording them for, “my own enjoyment.”
In August of 2005, Marianne and her husband were forced to evacuate from their home as Hurricane Katrina headed ominously towards the Gulf Coast. She remembers, “Our house is four miles inland, so I really didn’t think it would flood. But I just had a feeling something was going to happen, so I took my songs out of the piano where I kept them and took them with me.” When Marianne and her husband returned, they found their home severely damaged and her beloved piano completely destroyed.
Amidst the devastation left by the storm, Marianne was struck by the realization that, as she says, “So few of us ever really follows our dreams. I had this extensive portfolio of songs and instead of it just being a hobby, I realized that I had an all-consuming passion to start recording them and playing them for other people.” Within a couple of months after Katrina, Marianne entered a recording studio with producer Ken Leonard, recorded ten songs and began to perform in coffee shops and small clubs, finding an audience and herself in the process. And to show her complete dedication to her music, she sold her CPA business to concentrate on music full time with the full encouragement and support of her husband, who as Marianne says, “has been the foundation of support for me.”
Her work in the studio resulted in the release of her debut album, From the Water in January 2007. Atypical of a debut, the album showcased Marianne as a multi-dimensional artist whose talent was fully formed. Its blend of acoustic, pop and folk immediately won acclaim, most astonishingly for Marianne, when “This World” first won Grand Prize in the folk division in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and then won the 2007 Lennon Award! “It took about two weeks for it to sink in,” exclaims Marianne. “I still have a tough time believing it, but it’s amazing to have that sort of recognition. And it came with a home studio and a publishing contract with EMI!” In November of 2008, Marianne also won the Singer/Songwriter Category for the 100% Music Songwriting Contest based in France.
The John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the 100% Music Contest has obviously not been a fluke; Marianne placed as a finalist in four other songwriting competitions she entered with the songs from From the Water. She has received extensive national and international FM and internet radio air play as well, too having raving revues in national publications such as Performing Songwriter Magazine. But she is now firmly placed in what’s next. Her upcoming album is being readied for an early 2009 release. Working again with Ken Leonard, who Marianne describes as her “musical soul mate,” and with Tim Coons, Producer of Grammy winning artists, Marianne sees her new material as a “natural progression in my songwriting as far as the lyrics and arrangements and it has a lot of variety. I can’t wait to get it out there,” she exclaims excitedly. Playing roughly three to four shows a week, everywhere from festivals in Atlanta, Los Angles, Nashville to regular spots in multiple casino resorts in the Southeast, also co-headlining “Merry Christmas, Baby” with American Idol finalist- Kimberly Caldwell, has readied her live performance skills for prime time.
Marianne’s transformation from accountant to acclaimed musician is an inspiring one, and it is a testament to the possibilities that are created from people following their heart and their dreams. “It’s Not Too Late” is the great closing song on From the Water, but it’s also the mantra by which she’s lived her life. And with a new album that promises greatness anew, her courage is being vastly rewarded. She concludes, “In certain ways, this is all stunning, but at the same time, I know this was meant to be. For me, this is coming home.”
Rebecca Powers Co-Anchor WLOX TV
"Marianne Allison and the Republic is one of the hottest bands on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With my background in radio and now as the co-anchor on WLOX News in Biloxi, I’ve seen and heard my fair share of local bands perform. Marianne’s original music, well developed lyrics and haunting melodies bring the same kind of excitement and fan following that I saw in 1999 with a little local band who first asked us to play their song “Kryptonite” on our morning radio show. That band “Three Doors Down” proved quickly were not just local favorites but international stars as I believe Marianne will do soon as well. We are lucky to still have her here, performing at casino venues, fund raisers and local festivals, they keep their fans clamoring for more!”
Hi there, Marianne Allison ~ New Album Out Now! Buy Here!!
I wanted to let you know that we're running a 15% off promotion this week on ALL services! :) This INCLUDES MySpace design, Twitter design, album design, and promotional services! Message us now!
wat up im not lookin 2 get signed are anything like that we doin our thing independant all im askin fa is a lil support the new albulm is out as of 2day get ur copy now online its hip hop the sound is unique and i know u gonna enjoy it
Hi Marianne Allison ~ New Album OUT NOW! BUY HERE!!
Thank you so much for being a part of my world!
I'd be very happy if you leave me a comment or message so I get to know you better. And don't forget to add my songs to your profile and tell your friends about me!
They don't follow the fashion Latest trend, no reaction State of the world's affairs Seem indifferent, but really care Self-reliance what its all about Don't need it, you do without In the balance of the universe Doesn't matter could be worse ....."Exceptionally Cool".....
My Dear Marianne Allison ~ New Album OUT NOW! BUY HERE!, I want you to know that your music and your songs are my passion. I am addicted to Marianne Allison ~ New Album OUT NOW! BUY HERE!. There is something that pulls me towards them. Keep it up Marianne Allison ~ New Album OUT NOW! BUY HERE!. Di PS:Follow Me Twitter at http://twitter.com/iaent
Thank you very much for the Link Up & Sharing Your Music
Nice to meet you through cyberlink!
Keep up the Great Work!
Wishes you All the Best in 2009!
Enjoy your Week
If You Want To Be A Part Of A 4 Day WORLD Music Art Fair Let Me Know Go To My Page And Read It! I Don't Care Were You Are In This World If We Want You We Will Find A Way To Get You Their. So Please Every One Take A Look At This Video
Online Now!
have a great day!!! take care, zooom
