Marita Brake: News

Wow! I don't know if you are familiar with one of the best writing tools on the net. It is www.winningwriters.com
They have featured me on this month's opening page and have my poem "Hattie's Christmas Ballad" winner of Christyfest 2008, in this issue, as well. If you are a writer and love great writing and market news, check them out!

Finally, I have a video on You Tube. Doesn't everybody? Entitled "Miss the Mississippi and You"
(which is the song being sung) there is absolutely gorgeous footage of nature in all it's stunning glory.
This was shot on the Mississippi at various locations. It was originally made for an eco-film.
Either type in my name at You Tube or the name of the song and it should come up.
It is a beautiful tribute to nature.

Writing, writing, writing!
I just finished my first novella, The Black Mantilla and have started on the next project.
I have also been busy songwriting, a new one, "Meant To Be" will debut at a dear friend's wedding this month.

Want to see me at one day old? Second grade? My first PR picture? My maternal Grandmother right off the boat?
Go to photos and keep scrolling.
These are some of my personal favorites.

Coming soon to a historic site/event near you! The brainchild of Justin Blandford, site manager for The Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois.
Justin suggested that I research and create a series of concerts that speak to our love affair with the very clothes we wear and those worn, spun, woven and quilted by our grandmothers, great grandmothers and yes, even ourselves.
What I found in my research is that every garment, shawl, homespun dress or tophat has a tale to tell, filled with family secrets, the trek westward, heartaches and a dazzling surrender to a new land.
I will keep you updated for performance sites/times/etc.

It will be a great honor for me to perform before the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Canterbury, England during their visit to Bloomington, Illinois this coming week.
Since I have sung in Canterbury, it will be my delight to perform for the new Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.
Singing in the UK is one of my fondest memories!
Here's to a royal performance!

This is a thoughtful, healing and much needed site. I hope you have time to visit. This site is devoted to music appropriate for memorial services, funerals or anyone in the grieving process. Right now it features "On Me Mother's Grave" from my Celtic Rose CD.
We all know what a healing force music is in our lives.
Visit www.memorialmusiclibrary.com to find out more.

I am so honored to announce that my poem "Hattie's Christmas Ballad" was chosen as the winning poem in the annual Christyfest Fiction and Poetry Contest for this year. Thanks goes out to all who voted for me and to the hardworking Christyfest Team.
Christyfest, is held every year in the Great Smokey Mountains, in honor of the book, Christy which was also a television series.
My poem was based on the character, Hattie, played by Judy Collins. She was a blind mountain singer and songcatcher in the series.
I imagined Hattie retelling the Christmas story in the old, mountain way.
Anyone know Judy Collin's e-mail? I'd love to share it with her.
If you would like to read the poem go to: http://coveguest.bravehost.com/08main.html

What timing! I found out only a few days ago that Road Trip Nation had chosen my music to highlight an interview with Rev. Samuel Kyles, the last person to be with Dr. Martin Luther King. You can view it on MSN now or wait for PBS to air it in your region. Today being the day Dr. King's birthday is officially celebrated
made it doubly meaningful.
This is the second piece of music that Road Trip Nation has used of mine, the other being in episode #9 during the interview with the man who invented the game, Cranium. Hats off to RTN!!!

That's the best way to describe it! Today I was a guest at the 2008 Ignite Your Passion VIP Camapign for Easter Seals. As many of you know, myself and Gretchen Meyer have been collaborating for the past 6 years, writing songs that define the message that Easter Seals inspires.

Our sixth song, "I Wish You Love" was featured during a very moving video and the best part........ I got to meet and talk with Abbey Curran, Miss Iowa USA 2008. Abbey is the first person with special needs to make it into a national pageant.
She gave an awe inspiring speech about competing with her disability (Cerebral Palsy) and her life's journey. One thing that stayed with me, besides her obvious ability to challenge the status quo, was one of the thoughts she left us with,
"don't miss the point of your life." Thank you Abbey.
April 11 Abbey will compete in Las Vegas on NBC for the title of Miss USA.
Abbey is also slated for an appearance in People magazine.

More airplay!!! Tune into:
www.onevibrationradio.
com
www.pianoworld.com
www.ncradio.us
ncradio has had my music in rotation on their New Music Program and also features me on their Dreamtime program which runs 8pm to 3am nightly.

Today I received news that I am now one of the official indie artists whose music has been chosen for the Fall series of Road Trip Nation on PBS. Yes!!!!!!!
I love that show! My music is featured for a looooooong time during episode #9 (Fall 2007) They used "Gypsymoon" from the CD of the same title and it is featured while they interview the man that invented the game, Cranium...really interesting!
On my PBS affiliates it airs at Sat./Sun 11pm CST.Check it out.For more info go to: www.roadtripnation.com/

FARM stands for Folk Alliance Midwest Region and they are about to have their forthcoming showcase and conference
Sept. 28-30th at Techny Towers, Northfield, Illinois.
I am one of the showcase artists this year and for the first time it will be open to the general public.
My showcase time is: 3pm Sat. Sept. 29th. If you are in the area I hope you will join us. For more information go to:www.farmfolk.org

This is a first! I made it on to The Cabinet.com Blog,
which seems to be dedicated to all things dark and spooky.
Me? Precious little Marita!
I guess we all have a dark side! In this case it concerns a song from my second CD, GypsyMoon, "Poor Babes in the Wood", which is, I suppose a bit on the dark side. The site gives me kudos for keeping the integrity of the song true to its original story from the 15th century.
Thanks goes out to The Cabinet and all its readers.
Check it out......if you dare! Issue 8/9/07

I'm just back from a trek out west to Wyoming, among other places. I am always struck by the awesome beauty of the West, the beautiful blue tinged mountains and the umber colored prairie grasses waving in the wind.
I always feel like I'm playing "Little House On The Prairie" when I am there. The mystique and spirit of the Native American influence coupled with the "Oh My God" natural landscape are truly whispers of the divine. And (hint, hint) may hold the beginnings of a new CD (still a daydream, but perhaps a reality in the future).

You've been hearing a lot from me lately about the film, 10MPH, since some of my music is featured in it.
Now you can purchase the film yourself!!! It is available
at Blockbuster and Netflix.
You may view the trailer at:
http://www.myspace.com/10mphthemovie

Great breaking news! Kent and I have just been added to Pump Audio's roster of artists. This means that they have already vetted material to mostly television programs, commercials, etc. This is full of possibilities. And also a roster not that easy to get selected to be on.
Cross your fingers. This is one visit to the pump I won't mind.

Just keep scrolling and you will find fun, interesting and little known marvels about Marita and her music.

Sing Out, one of the most revered magazines in the traditional music genre, published a very small
(you might need a magnifying glass) on the release of The Celtic Rose.
It is in their Spring 2007 issue.
Small though it may be, a great appreciation goes out to them and their publication.
Available at Borders Bookstores or by subscription.

Several Podcasts are either now or have in their archives, featured Marita's music. A few to check out would be:
www.celticmusicpodcast.com/2006_2007, www.bellobard.com. www.mefeeda.com, www.odeo.com/channel/6585, celtic mp3s, Podcast #22 at www.livejournal.com