A Breath of Fresh Air

is truly how my morning started and I am sure it will be a constant flow in my year as well. As I walked through the Redwoods trees at a park near my home at about 7:00 a.m, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of excitement and purpose! I started to run and felt an uncontrollable sense of fearlessness and powerful protection of nature. I can go on and on about resolutions for this year and the bottom line for me is in 2009 . . . I will shine! In all that I do. Whether it be perfecting my cooking skills or writing that song that has been on the tip of my soul for so long and having the courage to share it. Stepping out on faith and embracing the consequences of now are the motivating arrows of my direction. Stronger, wiser and more determined than ever! Whew! There, I got that off my chest. I have been inspired to continue on my path in creating the music I love. There is so much more I have to say and give as a musician, so let's pick up the pace and pump it up in 2009! On January 21st, I will be performing at Yoshi's in Oakland for the annual benefit for our youth jazz education organization Oaktown Jazz Workshops, however, the music will be from all walks of life and I plan to share my storytelling skills with the youth, along with material that is fresh and has not been heard by the masses to get their feedback and opinions. Really looking forward to that experience. I will let you know their thoughts in my next blog. The following week, I will be in Nashville doing what I do . . . moving continually in a forward thinking manner and sharing with who wants to listen . . . I will keep you posted on that trip as well. In the meantime, check back leave your comments here or at www.myspace.com/mikkomarks and continue to spread the word to one and all and I will continue to grow as a musician and artist and share endlessly with you. Much Love and blessings in 2009! Miko

Truly Thankful

Although this year has had it's ups and downs, to say the least, there is an enormous amount of blessings for which I am truly thankful. With the economic state of our country in limbo, I am thankful for everyday that I am able to wake up to my loved ones and engage in meaningful interaction with them. My son is really growing into a fine young man and I get comical and endearing inspirations from him everyday. Now as we head into the last month of the year, I have turned into a reflective turtle . . . taking my time to piece together what I am sure will be songs for my future cd, yet untitled. Turning the page to something that is titled . . . I just finished my first short film "A Country Rose", directed by Edward Rosenblum, in which I got to display my acting chops and look to debut in the spring of next year. Never can get enough of what I love which are quite a few avenues in the arts. Keep your emails and comments coming as they are inspirational as well. Love and light to you all, Miko

Better Late than Never!

Okay, I admit it - I don't write as often as I should, but hey . . . I am adding this oversight to my New Year's resolution list, among other things. That last few months have been truly surreal and amazing, yet shaky and unknown. I have been on one hell of a ride. I decided that I would get it all out now. On the heels of meeting Stevie Wonder while performing at a Bill Pickett Rodeo in Los Angeles, I continued to perform at at Pier 39, Union Square and the Saddlerack. Now, let me tell you about Pier 39. It is located in San Francisco, and I perform right outside the Hard Rock Cafe. There are so many people, from different parts of the world, that I get to interact with. It's kinda like a mecca for music if you're trying to reach the masses which IS what I am trying to do! I meet people from places like Australia, Finland, London, Europe and all over our country as well. It's quite interesting to see the looks on their faces . . . pleased but puzzled, yet anxious to take my music back to their homelands. Union Square is another outdoor venue that I had the pleasure of playing over the summer. Another place to meet people and make new fans from across the globe as it is in the hear of downtown San Francisco and could be thought of as a retail capital. I have posted pics on both this site and myspace (www.myspace.com/mikkomarks). As it is now a bit cooler in California (60's or so), I must bring my outdoor concerts in from the cold. I have taken on a few private events which have been interesting and fun to say the least. Whenever performing is involved and having the opportunity to share my music, I'm pretty much there! Over the past few months, I also took part in performing at different fundraiser events for Barack Obama. I wanted to share in the movement towards change and growth and for that I am thankful. To utter the lyrics to "It Feels Good", ". . . There's an unfamiliar freedom calling out my name making me believe in the healing winds of change. . .). To witness this in my lifetime, well . . . my feelings are unmeasurable. We managed to raise quite a bit of funds to contribute to the campaign which definitely goes to show that a steady drip of water will wear a hole in a rock! Moving from the subject of a rock to the Rack (Saddle Rack that his), I have been playing this premiere country club for the last two years and always look forward to the experience as there is something about familiarity that starts to feel like homebase and this is it. Make sure and check out my last Saddle Rack show for the year on December 20th! Looking to continue to chime in more often than not! Gonna shake things up in the New Year! Much Love, Miko

Back from CMA Fest

and I shouldn't have to tell you, I'm a bit wore out! From the time we touched down in Nashville, there was non-stop action. On the morning before the festival, I went down to the Exhibit Hall to set up my booth (#705) and make it just like so. It was so hot inside the Hall that I actually started to sweat :) . . . something I rarely do. When all was said and done, my booth gave me a sense of acompishment knowing that I did it myself. Now it was time for REST. The next morning was like that last day of school where everyone can't wait to start the summer . . . hello CMA Fest. It was really fun to see people that I have seen over the years and touch base with fanclub members and also meet new people who haven't quite heard of Miko Marks. It was empowering to see their faces, ushering over friends to come listen. I made alot of new friends. After the whirlwind of the first day, the experience was like getting on the freeway on a new blacktop road. My first performance was at Tin Roof. My friend Jewels Hanson (Nashville Star), who is an awesome songwriter, came out which I thought was cool as I hadn't seen her in awhile. Then . . . as if it was not just awesome to be performing at that time, I had another friend show up to watch . . . Cowboy Jack Clement who is legendary, having worked with Jerry Lee Louis, Johnny Cash and Charley Pride . . . I was brought to tears. For those of you who don't know, Cowboy Jack has cemented his place in history and knows just about all there is to know about music let alone country. The following day, I had a performance at Tootsie's which is a Nashville staple on Broadway and it was definitely another moving experience for me. The room was packed with people who sat and listened intently which is not a small feat in Tootsie's. I just let go and had a blast during the entire performance. On Sunday afternoon, I performed at my 3rd Acoustic Corner which was held in the Nashville Convention Center. Another good time. The CMAFEST experience was surreal, exciting and reassuring. I am off to do The Bill Pickett Rodeo tour, my performances at home and around the country. Hope to catch you on the road. Thank you friends for the love and support and I can't do this alone. P.S.-Don't forget to get your free download of "Mama" and spread the word!

Peace and Blessings,
Miko Marks

Message from Miko

Thanks to my family, friends, and fans who continue to support this fabulous journey! So far this year has been filled with some real bright spots. First, I managed to be named one on “Nashville’s Hottest New Country Stars” by People Magazine. Then, I had my first full page feature in “Country Weekly”, to be followed by a featured article in Ebony Magazine, “What Does Black Sound Like”. Maybe one day soon I’ll make it to the cover of Ebony, Country Weekly, and People? Who knows….but it all starts with a dream!

Anyhoo, those are huge milestones in anyone’s career and I am extremely thankful! However, there’s still more music to be made and “fresh-ground” to be broken”! Now, I’m looking ahead to getting onto the “BIG STAGE” to be counted amongst “country music’s best”. It’s been a “tough nut to crack” so far, but Garth Brooks, Wynonna , LeAnn Rymes, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Babyface & Stevie Wonder are only a few of the folks I look forward to sharing a stage with. Meanwhile, I’ll just keep things movin’, stay focused, and make the best music I can. This train is destined for GLORY!

Times are tough however, and they seem to be getting tougher for millions of people everyday. For this, my remedy is “Gratitude”. Consistent with that theme, I am NOW offering a FREE MUSIC DOWNLOAD of a song that I wrote, which is dear to my heart. The name of that song is “Mama”. “Mama” is a fan favorite, so I thought what better way to show my “gratitude” to you, my friends & fans. Feel free to download it and please, send it out to everyone you know! I’m serious! Hey, and if by chance you’ve got some extra coin, consider helping my efforts, by purchasing either my award winning debut album, “Freeway Bound” and/or my new CD, “It Feels Good”.

May Peace & Blessings reign down on you.

Onward & Upward!
Miko Marks