Tina S. Marie

I've been a musician my entire life. I started out singing Broadway Musicals with my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Parents, Siblings and Cousins. I sang in choirs and performed for events and church functions. I later took up guitar when a friend, Greg Curley brought over a Yamaha (classical) and taught me D, G and A chords. I remember taking the nylons off and replacing the guitar with steel. I practiced those 3 chords until my fingers bled. I learned what I know by listening and figuri...

I've been a musician my entire life. I started out singing Broadway Musicals with my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Parents, Siblings and Cousins. I sang in choirs and performed for events and church functions. I later took up guitar when a friend, Greg Curley brought over a Yamaha (classical) and taught me D, G and A chords. I remember taking the nylons off and replacing the guitar with steel. I practiced those 3 chords until my fingers bled. I learned what I know by listening and figuring out things by shear dedication and commitment. I didn't read a note until I entered college, but my dedication paid off as far as understanding the physics' of what I was doing. Every note counted; like words; and every sound felt something. When I was in one of my many journeys with my family from California to Alaska, we stopped for a month to "live" with friends in Seattle. We were Catholic at the time and visiting one of the local churches. I remember watching the young folks playing in the band and doing "Folk Mass". They played a song by the Beatles called, "Let it Be". It was a defining moment for me. Tugging on my mother's shirt I said, "Mom, That's what I want to be and do when I grow up". I was 8 years old. Though I am no longer Catholic; I must give that experience credit for my self discovery. Since I was young, I've always made up my own lyrics and songs. It didn't matter the instrument of delivery; I would figure it out. I've dabbled with Accordion, Organ, Piano, Synth, Mandolin, Banjo, Horns, Bass, Dulcimer, Autoharp and Percussions. Still I maintained the most practice with Guitar and Vocals. While attending college, I played in numerous cover bands, played solo and wrote songs. I don't have a degree in Music, but I do have a BFA in Art. I went to undergraduate school in Fairbanks, Alaska where I graduated with several minors (Communications, Music and P.E.) in addition to my core studies with Printmaking, Drawing and Painting. From that I have become a "materials" junkie and love to combine media. I attended the University of Arizona for Graduate school studying Fine Art with an emphasis in Printmaking under a scholarship and teaching position. All the while I attended, I played music, recorded, gigged, wrote and taught as I did when attending my undergrad ed. I spent 3 years in Tucson but completed only 2 years of Graduate school when "oh s--t" happened and my marriage took a dump. We moved to Portland where we tried to "fix" the problem (me). I continued to play music and had several Art exhibitions in Portland. This didn't help my marital matters. I was going through a divorce shortly after my arrival. The justice system here seems to hold the same stigmata for Artists and Musicians..."They are scum"...as did in Alaska and Arizona. It is very clear you have to have lots of money to buy justice. I was classified as an "unfit" mother and my two children were awarded to my ex. Given this hellish experience I compiled and wrote a bunch of original songs and produced an album titled, Namaste. It was my first induction to a "real" studio outside of a University's/Radio's or someone's home recording/or my own device. I met up with Ronn Chick and Burke Harris who encouraged me to take my own wheel. Ronn and I played almost every instrument on Namaste except some keys by Burke. Ronn engineered my parts and I helped him with his. I wrote all the material and co-produced the album and of course, all the financing. Ronn is a maestro with sound, guitar playing, drums, bass and layering. He is brilliant. I finally was divorced and my boys were growing up. I did get to be with my kids after an arduous battle of "proving" myself worthy to a bunch of jerks. I was also dating again and finally met up with my current husband, Chael Emmett(another musician). We've been married 9 years and have a son, Dante. Dante is deaf (the irony of a musician, huh?) He has hearing aids and can draw really well. He was not born this way. He became deaf after a vaccine reaction. My other boys are men. Chael is currently playing bass with me. I play my music in various forms and arrangements. I also recorded and produced a newer album, called: Messages. I feature lots of different folks on this album. It was also a home recording versus the studio type. I wanted my music to sound more authentic to what it would be live. Unlike Namaste, where I have layers and layers of me and Ronn; this time, there are layers with different individuals with myself as the constant. My 5 piece band consists of: Tina S. Marie: Songwriter, Voice and Guitar Chael Emmett: Bass and Vocals Jeff Newman: Drums and Percussion, Vocals Jason Moore: Percussion and Drums, Vocals Derek Doggett: Lead Guitar Cameos on my Messages album: Steve Adams: Guitars Anthony J. Rice: Guitars Derek Doggett: Guitars Kevin Burkhart: Keys Tech Steve Adams: Engineering, Mixing, Mastering and Co-Producing Chael Emmett: Engineering, Sound Mic Enjoy the songs! Cheers, Tina