Today we’d like to introduce you to Jodi Marr
Hi Jodi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am from Miami, FL and got my start there playing in bands and writing- I got my first pub deal with Warner Chappell Music – writing for the Latin Music market, winning awards and working on grammy winning albums for Alejandra Guzman Paulina Rubio, Ricky Martin and others. The Latin connection came about because I grew up in a bilingual neighborhood- I was born in Hialeah, FL and am bilingual even thought I am not Hispanic. I got my degrees in Creative writing and Languages from the University of Miami and also studied at The College of William and Mary and Universidad de Granada , Spain
Working in Miami Beach, -I was signed as a recording artist to Ricky’s producer and songwriter legendary hitmaker Desmond Child ( groundbreaking producer and cowriter w Draco Rosa of iconic “Livin La Vida Loca”) who is one of my main mentors and frequent collaborators. I learned to be a producer working with him at his Miami Beach studio The Gentlemen’s Club-,
In Desmond’s studio and under his tutelage, I learned how to make records from the songs up. I eventually started writing songs with him and many of the other songwriters artists and producers that came through the studio. I learned the magic of creative collaboration, focused artist development and the rigor of an intense work ethic. That ‘s what it takes to make a career in any field. Desmond set the bar high.
After having been an artist with my first band BIG, (that was signed to him) , I began to discover my passion and true calling… working with developing artists and producing projects in English and Spanish. the thrill of being in charge, on the other side of the glass wall in the studio was my happy place- that and writing songs.
Desmond Child was the first to give me the chance and the confidence to do that. Learning and working with him changed my life. I went from playing smoky beach bars and touring in a beat up van with a band to meeting and working with an all-star cast of artists and collaborators.
I had great mentors at that time- Publishing Legend Ellen Moraskie of Warner Chappell and Aerosmith/ Pink writer Richie Supa – The great Latin hitmakers Juan Carlos Perez Soto and Fernando Osorio etc.
Warner Chappell started to use my languages as a jumping off point and sent me not only to Los Angeles and Nashville to work – but also all over the world to work with artists and develop my skills in international pop and other genres. I started traveling to Mexico, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and mostly the UK- and focused on writing with artists exclusively.
I began to specialize in artist development- signing my own artist MIKA and working with mega stars Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, , Charlie XCX and Paloma Faith early in their careers. I discovered , developed and produced several UK- based pop acts who went on to global success, including PALOMA FAITH and MIKA.
I wrote and did some production on multiple tracks on MIKA’s multi-platinum debut album Life in Cartoon Motion as well as global hit singles including Paloma’s “New York” and Mika’s, “Grace Kelly,” a UK #1, Brit Award-Winning debut. It was also a recent TikTok phenomenon (#gracekellychallenge at 615 million views and counting.) Celebrities WILL FERRELL, RYAN REYNOLDS, PENTATONIX and others released their own versions of the iconic song.
.
I’ve won Grammy, Ivor Novello, Canadian Radio Music, ASCAP Pop and Latin Music awards, International Reggae and
World Music Awards for my work and received and numerous Gold, Platinum and Grammy nominations and
certifications.
I still write in three languages, served on the Board of Governors for the Latin Grammys . I am a member of the Recording Academy, and am a founding member of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. ( currently serving on their board of Electors )
I am is currently writing songs, developing artists and teaching Commercial Songwriting and Artist Development at Belmont University. In 2023, I developed a first-of-its-kind university course in Artist Identity and Development, now part of the permanent Belmont Commercial Songwriting Curriculum. My book and podcast on artist development is set for 2025/6 release are companion to my monthly songwriting and artist development newsletter,‘From Songwriter to Star
’.
I am currently co-authoring a book on songwriting with my mentor and friend, DESMOND CHILD. I composed the music for Nashville Children’s Theatre’s2019 TOMAS & THE LIBRAY LADY and THE GINGERBREAD KID, which debuted at Nashville Children’s Theater in February 2024. It was recently voted “Outstanding original Work of the Year” by Nashville film and theatre critic Eric Ellis at the First Night Awards.
I just completed the nearly year long program and am a recent graduate of Leadership Music Class of 2024.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a straight or smooth road when you are working sometimes with nothing more than dreams and sheer determination. It’ s enough – but you don’t know that wen you first start out. The main struggle is about keeping your belief in yourself even when others don’t and never quitting when the going gets tough. It means doing some life things at different times than your friends and family- who work on a more static schedule or career path. ( like having kids, -which I waited to do until later in life.)
Also I learned to be fluid with my work and general outlook.. Going with the flow when the universe presents new opportunities or moves you left when you’re going right, or you switch publishers, record labels, management, or other collaborators.. the once constant in a. creative career is you- but it took me a while to lean to keep my own counsel and truly follow my heart and my head at the same time. It’s a challenging business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
see previous answers on first question.
Also. I am most proud of being a mom to my wonderful daughter who just turned 11. I like her to know that our home and life and land we live on upon a ridge with a beautiful Tennessee view was all built on songs and dreams. Being a woman in a still make dominated field of production, songwriting and music business in general has been always a challenge and I’m proud I’m still doing it.
Im really proud of what I built with MIKA and also of my long term sisterhood and musical collaboration with Kristin Chenoweth, and with the super talented writer Abe Reybold for Nashville Children’s Theatre, and the team of creators and collaborators who worked on the shows I’ve done for them, including some of my former belmont students Liam Muckala, David Murphy, Harrison Kohm and local musical; theatre luminaries from Lipscomb University Christopher and Sara Bailey. Im mostly proud of my former students who have gone on to shine, as I always knew they would ( Like Austin’s Dasha, and Cheynna, Bryce Drew, Jake Wesley Rogers and others.)
I think what sets me apart is my collaborative approach. I ‘ve always been a teacher . I started as an artist so I approach every session or class or book or podcast from that place. Great teaching is an act of service and collaborationI love that . I live in the magical moment where lightning strikes and together we make something where just a moment before there was nothing. Also my international focus and languages really keep things interesting, and have afforded me the chance to work as a multi genre songwriter and producer with wonderful talented people from all over the world.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Yes. Every day! lol. I think risk is necessary in a creative career and in life in general. With big risk comes big rewards. There have been times I walked away from potentially great opportunities or situations because something in my gut told me to walk away and always or because I was not being treated with respect- and always come out the better for it. I have given up sure things for the underdog more times than I count , and every single time something amazing happened that enriched my life and career. You can’t life life or make music from a place of fear. Every great idea expressed aloud is an act of courage, .
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jodimarr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjodimarr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodimarrmusic/
- Twitter: https://x.com/jodimarr?lang=bn
- Other: https://www.jodimarr.com/s2s-newsletter
