Today we’d like to introduce you to Marshall Dane.
Hi Marshall, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started playing piano at 5. My mother was my teacher. At 12, my father taught me a guitar. Although divorced by 4, my parents made music part of our celebration and sorrowful therapy. By 15, I was performing in a cafe on Friday and Saturday evenings for $35 and a piece of cheesecake. My father is a minister and I was supposed to become the same.
When I realized I wouldn’t follow that path, I left home at 18 and started playing gigs as often as I could. Now, I’m a full-time musician. The journey to be a “popular” enough artist to make a living isn’t easy by far. But the rewards of the stage are many…and worth the effort.
I’ve learned many things…especially during Covid, I took time to make sure my brain worked and was strong… I can figure out anything I put my mind to…except for the business of music on a grand scale. That, I can’t, and maybe don’t want, to figure out. Maybe it’s by grand design that I don’t.
I’ve included ASL into my personal skillsets and bring an interpreter on stage whenever possible, to include the deaf in our celebration. I no longer aim for corporate love and admiration or acknowledgment, but rather, a mad desire to create cool art that won’t easily be forgotten by those I love and meet.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Absolutely not. From the “who am I” to the “what the hell am I doing” to the “how the hell did I end up here”… no the journey hasn’t been smooth…. said that… It’s been freaking fantastic… It’s been alive… I have seen such amazing highs, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’ve done things I could never have imagined and lived to tell the tale. I survived music. I am music. Record companies never wanted me. By the time they found out about me, they wanted a puppet…something different…definitely not me.
It used to be about honing a skillset …or many skillsets… and most importantly live performance skills…but as the goalposts shift to more …”do what we say… and it’ll sell”. I’m less interested in the corporate version of art, and way more interested in testing my boundaries with art that doesn’t need a sales pitch.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been a full-time artist, with no other source of income, for 20 years. I’m not tired. I’m still full of joy. Don’t get me wrong, I dabble in many art forms and love to work hard.
I’d say, I specialize in creating music and a performance living, without the need for provincial industry acceptance or recognition. I believe that’s a thick-skin asset that breaks most artists when faced with today’s superficiality. I’m also known for my pitch, my work ethic, my dreads, my “know your worth” attitude, and my connection to my audience.
I’m most proud of my connection to the audience as previously stated. Not only has learning ASL helped that, but my true love for people, and my desire to share moments with people that won’t easily be forgotten. I am grateful that I have musical abilities and lucky to be on huge stages but that means very little to me if I’m not making a difference in someone’s life through the music I create and the performance and entertainment I can provide.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Nashville… is the mecca for music. For guitarists, singer-songwriters, poets, broken-hearted country folk, big values people. I love Nashville. It’s electric and moving….it’s got a flow and an energy that is undeniably addictive. The best players…period.
My least favorite thing? Well, other than progress driving prices, it can be pretty intimidating if you’re artist’s heart isn’t forged in stone… I’ve had my fair share of insecurities, imposter syndromes, and “I’m so small”. You gotta get tougher than that…period.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marshalldane.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshalldane/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshallDaneMusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/marshalldane
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarshallDane
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marshalldane
Image Credits
Dave Blasman
