Anna Marie
Singer, Songwriter, Instrumentalist
Anna Marie's sound is a refreshing mix of soft rock, blues & country. She has a haunting yet powerful voice, energetic personality, heartfelt lyrics and a skillful touch on the guitar. Anna Marie consistently charms her audiences, taking them along on an emotion-filled journey.
Although she didn't know it at the time, Anna Marie’s music career really began in grade school. While attending a concert she decided that all she wanted for her 12th birthday was guitar lessons.
It was during her high school years that she decided to not just play music but to perform and write her own material. She landed her first paying gig during an open mic at a local coffee shop. The manager came up to her parents and asked if she would play for pay on Friday and Saturday nights.
Anna Marie was so intrigued after gigging at the local coffee shop, that soon after she started pursuing more gigs and landed performances almost every single Friday and Saturday night during high school. She learned the sacrifices it takes to pursue her passion. Instead of spending her time partying with friends, she wanted to spend her time playing with great musicians and songwriters.
Though she wasn’t on the radio, Anna Marie found herself learning more and more about entertaining and writing music. In 1994, at 14 years old, she joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International, (NSAI), the Newport Songwriters Association, (NSA) and the California Country Music Association, (CCMA), which she joined as a performer/artist.
In 1999 and 2000 were very busy years for Anna Marie. She entered the CCMA yearly competition. She received the awards for Vocalist of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year for “Found Someone”, “Starting Over” and “Never Ending Song”. In Tennessee, at the NACMAI she was nominated for the Vocalist of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Found Someone”. She won the award as Female Vocalist of the Year and Instrumentalist of the Year.
Anna Marie has played many venues in Orange and Los Angeles counties. She has performed at Kulak’s Woodshed, Hollenbecks, The Coach House, The Galaxy, The Crazy Horse, The Sawdust Festival, The Festival of Whales in Dana Point, The Orange County Fair, The LA Fair and many more.
She shared the stage with such acclaimed artist as Hal Ketchum, The Oakridge Boys, Zachary Provost (Zachary was Musical Director for Josh Groban), Billy Vera & The Beaters, The Nelsons and other established performers.
Anna Marie took some time off in 2006 and 2007 to get married and have her daughter. She couldn’t stay away though. During that time she hosted one of Orange County’s most successful ‘Songwriters in the Round’. For 2 ½ years, she welcomed aspiring new songwriters to award winning songwriters. It was at this time she honed her skills to an even finer level. Now, a seasoned veteran, her shows transmit the passion in her performance.
Anna Marie’s music touches and tugs at the hearts of all. She has mastered the most important ingredient of good music… feeling. “Music is in my blood, it will never go away. I write and sing about what I feel, see and know is real” Anna Marie shares. “I set out to take my audience on an emotional roller coaster. One that will always leave them wanting more.”