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10 Questions with ... Marlee Scott
September 11, 2011
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1) I see you are from Alberta, Canada. That's a long way from Nashville! Is the style of Country music different there? If so, what's the main difference?
Country music is Country music. I would not say there is a difference. I am fortunate enough to be here in the U.S. for four years now, living my dream. I want to be successful in the U.S. and Canada. I would say that Canada is very influenced by American artists, and the charts up there are very similar to the charts down here.
2) After moving far away from your family and friends, what would you say the biggest adjustment was when you moved to Music City?
Being away from my family and friends that I grew up with is probably the hardest thing to deal with. I am very close with my family, and whenever I get the chance to see them it means the world to me. They are so supportive of my dream. It's definitely hard not being around to share in certain events that take place or just missing those Sunday dinners. I have definitely had to adjust to being on my own, and I am lucky enough to have a great management team who treats me like family.
3) I hear the group Alabama had a strong influence on your decision to pursue Country music. Can you explain that story?
I had moved away from Country music when I was about 12 to 16. When I got my driver's license, my friend and I were cruising along and not liking anything on the radio, so we turned it to the local Country station. "Mountain Music" was on. We started dancing around and acting all crazy, we loved it. Very soon after I started picking Country songs to sing, and writing Country songs instead of Pop music.
4) Who are a few other musical influences, from the past and present, that you admire?
I am a fan of all music. There are so many talented artist and writers out there. This is always a tough question for me because I love so many artists and songs. The list is too long! I remember being a kid and my mom listening to Van Morrison and Elton John. I used to make fun of her for it, and now I am a huge fan, especially of Van Morrison. His song "Into the Mystic" I would have to say is my favorite all time song. What a beautifully written song. I am also very influenced by Bryan Adams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, I am a huge Keith Urban fan and I really admire Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.
5) You are currently on a radio tour promoting your new single, "Beautiful Maybe," and have already visited 60 stations! That's impressive! Has anything bizarre happened during your travels?
Ha! Last week we were at Bob FM in Harrisburg, PA. I got there at 9:15 a.m. to be on the morning show "Nancy and Neuman." As I am setting up Neuman pulled out a bottle of tequila and shot glasses. So at 9:15 in the morning, we did a shot of tequila! Was definitely a great wake up call and so much fun hanging out with them!
6) Country Weekly recently featured your "Marls Bars" recipe in a recent article. What exactly are "Marls Bars?"
"Marls Bars" are a dessert that I have been making for years. Everyone in my family loves them. A long time ago my oldest sister made them and we were all hooked. They are made up of Milky Way Bars, butter, chocolate chips, and Rice Krispies cereal and are just one of those go to desserts that's very simple and fast to make. I love baking, so I altered the recipe a little and started bringing them in to radio stations and other meetings. I brought them with me when I played for "Country Weekly" and they decided to put the recipe in the magazine. Definitely a dream come true for me to be featured in "Country Weekly!"
7) The music video for "Beautiful Maybe" is featured on CMT.com, and shares the story of a little boy dressed as Superman. How did this story plot come about?
I really wanted to make sure the story of the song was captured in a kind of whimsical way. I wanted to make sure we would touch everyone in some way or another with the message of the song, and the little boy dressed as Superman was perfect. He played the part so well, I just fell in love with him as soon as I saw his parts in the video. He definitely stole the show!
8) How would you describe the music we will find on your upcoming EP?
I chose songs that I love, and love to sing, as well as songs that I think the fans will love. Some of them talk about or say things that you kinda go "What? Did she just say that?" and that thrills me! The production is Country with almost a bit of a rock edge at times, but then I have a song like "I'm Not Your Baby Anymore" that is a true ballad, stripped down and very heartfelt. The songs on this project I want to touch people, and to bring out all emotions, happy, sad, angry, the list goes on!
9) This past summer, you sang the national anthem at many professional baseball teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, and the Chicago White Sox. What's the biggest challenge singing in at a ballpark, rather than on stage? Also, what's more difficult to sing, the American anthem or your Canadian anthem?
The biggest challenge in anthems at a sporting event is of course the thought of 'If I mess up, everyone will know, and it will be on YouTube in 5 minutes!' The sound system is always different in every stadium, some have a better set up than others, but that always makes it kinda fun to not really know what the set up will be. As far as what's more difficult to sing, the American Anthem is a lot more vocally challenging, it starts very low but by the end of the song its quite high. I always try to make sure I start out on the right low note to hit the high ones at the end and really have a strong finish. I always want to make sure I do a great job because it's such an honor to sing both the Canadian and American national anthems.
10) I love how you pay tribute to Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys in the most recent video blog for your series, "I Love This Song." How do you choose which song you want to cover?
I try to choose songs that have had meaning in my life at one point or another. As I said earlier, I moved away from Country music when I was between the ages of 12 and 16. I had fallen in love with Britney Spears at the time and was (still am) a huge fan of the Backstreet Boys. To this day those songs to me are so classic and fun to sing and play and dance to. So I thought, why not do my own little version of them for "I Love this Song?" When I say "I Love this Song" I really do mean it!
Bonus Questions
1) If you could do a duet with anyone artist, in any genre, who would it be and why?
That's another tough one, but I think I would have to say Keith Urban or Bryan Adams. Both are just so passionate about music and their craft.
2) Are there any new movies you have seen lately that you would recommend?
"The Help." I read the book and fell in love with it and the movie is so touching and very well done. I also really loved "Water for Elephants" which again, is based on a book I read and I thought was executed very well on screen. It also helps that I really like Robert Pattinson who stars in the movie.
3) Who is your favorite person to follow on Twitter and why?
I think Blake Shelton is hilarious. If he's doing an interview or anything I always try and catch it, so definitely his "tweets" are rather entertaining.
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