Marjorie Michelle Rose.com

Marjorie Michelle Rose.com

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LOVE HAS FOUND ME

Marjorie Michelle Rose

With a voice as big as her heart, Marjorie Michelle Rose lays herself bare from the very first note on her debut CD.

Honest and straightforward, Marjorie Michelle sings with the sensitivity and the power of a person who has lived life and met its challenges head on. “There isn’t a song on this CD that I personally haven’t lived,” she says.

That is apparent from the crystal clear longing in her rendition of ‘Long Long Time’ where Marjorie Michelle sings about love lost, to the soulful wistfulness on ‘Change of Heart’, about wanting back a love that you have thrown away. “Life and time create experiences, so singing these songs comes from deep inside of me,” says Marjorie Michelle. “Making this CD has always been a dream of mine. It just took a little longer because life got in the way.”

Now working in the longshore industry in her native California, Marjorie Michelle took the musical road less traveled. “I always wanted to be a singer,” she says. “I grew up in a house full of music. My grandmother and aunt played piano, my mother danced, I took guitar and piano lessons. I remember calling my girlfriends up on the telephone and singing to them.”

However it wasn’t all harmony. Discord between her parents led to divorce when she was a young teen and the dream was put on hold. “That was hard at times,” she acknowledges. “I got married young, had a son and divorced within one year. I had to bury my music. Sometimes I was working three jobs to support myself and my son.”

That experience taught Marjorie Michelle an appreciation of life and its ups and downs which she brings to her music. “It’s a big part of this record. When I sing songs like ‘I Fall to Pieces’ and “Do Right,” that’s me. Life wasn’t easy. I’m not complaining. That’s just the way it was. Like many women, I worked a lot of jobs in male-dominated industries with constant hurdles to jump.”

Ironically, it was the male-dominated industry Marjorie Michelle works in now that brought the dream to life. “I work on the waterfront as a longshoreman. Believe it or not, there a lot of talented people on the docks, from actors, musicians, artist, and the like. One of them, David Mora, a longshoreman and a pretty talented Latin percussionist heard me sing. I remember him saying, Oh my God! Why aren’t you doing that for a living?’ ”

Fast-forward half a year. Through David’s contacts Marjorie Michelle was introduced to Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Val Garay. Garay has worked with some of the best vocalists around, Linda Rondstadt, Kim Carnes, Neil Diamond, The Motels, just to name a few. “It was refreshing working with Michelle,” says Garay. “ She brings the emotional maturity of someone with a unique life experience coupled with the enthusiasm of a first-time artist.”

While Val brought the music production expertise and an A-list of players, it was Marjorie Michelle who brought the songs and soul. “I have had these inside of me for years. I came to the table knowing exactly what I wanted except for one song which was brought to me.”

That one song is ‘Niagara Falls.’ Written by LA heavyweight Steve Dorf and Nashville hit makers Pat Bunch and Teresa, it is a powerful ballad about the exhilarating rush of falling in love. ‘Niagara Falls’ is a true test of vocal skill and sensitivity perfectly showcasing Marjorie Michelle’s interpretative ability.

“I love ‘Niagara’ and am honored to be given the opportunity to sing it. However, if I had to pick a song on this CD that holds that one special place in my heart it would be ‘What’s a Memory Like You,’ ” says Marjorie Michelle. “My mother asked me to record this. I remember sitting in the studio with her, watching her hear my version of it for the first time. When it was done playing, she started crying and apologizing for never giving my dream a chance. I told her not to cry, that it’s okay because now we can do it together.”

“I have always wanted to sing. For me it’s not about being a star. It’s about the passion and the possibility of helping someone. Many times in my life when the going was tough it was always music that healed me. I am so fortunate at this moment with everything that I have in this life. I would just like to know my music has made someone else’s journey a little easier.”

“You know, I know it sounds corny but dreams do come true. I have my horses and now my music. It doesn’t get any better than this.”