Biography
Marsha is a smooth, rich, expressive singer with the ability to bring authenticity to each song with heartfelt vocals that transport a lyric straight to your heart.
She has been known to “cross any genre for a good lyric” and does so with heart and truth. Her performances throughout the southland at venues like SRO shows at Herb Alpert’s Vibrato, Catalina Jazz Club, Feinstein’s at the Nikko, S.F. and Upstairs at Vitello’s have won her audiences over.
Marsha started her career in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 60’s. The music scene was alive with incredible talent and opportunities. Her band with her ex-husband opened for such acts at The Youngbloods, and played at venues like the Troubadour in Los Angeles. In 1980, Marsha won Best Vocalist in the American Songwriters Association’s International contest. The ‘American Idol” of its’ time, it brought access to opportunities that would take Marsha to Motown Records where she recorded with writers Ken Hirsch and Ron Miller who together and on their own…wrote “I’ve Never Been To Me”, “Touch Me In The Morning” for Diana Ross, “For Once In My Life” for Stevie Wonder, “If I Could” for Celine Dion, “No One In The World” for Anita Baker, among other top hits.
Marsha studied with the legendary vocal coach Judy Davis, in Oakland CA. who she says, “Changed my life.”
Judy was a Diva herself whose students include Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, and Judy Garland, among others famous and not-so-famous.
“Her mentoring is still with me today – and I still, after all these years, do her vocal exercises every day. She is a woman who came into my life like an Angel – and I love her for sharing her knowledge with me and her treasured support.” She opened my eyes and ears to a wealth of information about the voice – She loved the music business – and her students – and I am forever grateful to her.” When I coach singers, her teachings are always present.
Although Marsha’s love for singing remained, musical politics and personal changes left her disheartened by the business. After a divorce, Marsha decided to leave the music business and shift gears to what she thought would be a better career to help financially support her daughter.
She may have left the stage for a time, but she continued working in the studio recording national jingles for such companies as Bank Of America, Chevron, among others.
She transitioned into Voice-Overs and On-Camera acting. Her credits in this area included many national accounts, including being the national TV/Radio announcer for all of Safeway Corporation stores (including Vons, Randalls, Dominicks, Genuardis, Carrs, Tom Thumb). One of her largest clients was Octel Communications, the defining leader of voice messaging company serving companies world-wide. Marsha was the American English voice for Octel and was heard by millions across the globe.
She and was deemed by the press as “The Voice America Loves To Hate” and “The Voice Mail Queen.” Companies included most of the Fortune 500 companies, and several “baby bells” across the country– She is still heard on major voice-mails systems throughout the country – where you may hear her say…”I’m sorry, that’s not a valid password. Please try your call again later.”
Or a fan favorite: “Are you still there?”
She appeared as a guest on the Today Show among other national guest spots as the “person behind the telephone voice.”
Being a Digital “star” was not what she had envisioned; and although it paid the bills, her heart kept longing to get back out and do what she really loved – Sing.
Fast forward to social media and the wonders of Facebook – where Marsha re-connected with her former High School bandmate Donny Marrow – Disk Eyes Productions. He encouraged her to join him in Nashville where they recorded Marsha’s debut solo album, “It’s Time”.
Donny Marrow produced and his esteemed team of studio musicians from all over the country adding their talents to the project. Marsha’s songs cross genres; from Billie Holiday to Bonnie Raitt; always with the lyric as her first consideration. It was time to return to the stage and the studio – And her album “It’s Time” marked the beginning of her “next act”.
She has since recorded 4 more albums. She recorded a Christmas Album, “Christmas...In the Spirit,” which includes cherished Christmas favorites, as well a NEW original song by Kenny Hirsch (whom she met at Motown), Steve Ross, and Rosie Casey, “Almost Christmas Eve” – sure to become a Holiday Classic!
Her next release was the album, “Feels Like Love. Then, “I Believe in Love”.
The recording of Marsha’s next album began right when COVID hit. This project was for a team of songwriters, Jane McNealy and Alice Kuhns who had completed the tracks for their songs and needed vocals. Their lush arrangements and gorgeous, sweeping orchestration was the perfect backdrop for their “delicious” lyrics. After the first song was recorded, the rest of the tunes were recorded “COVID protocol” style; remotely and very carefully!
Jane and Alice’s songs paint very evocative pictures – like you are walking into an impressionistic painting. And the lush arrangements of the songs create depth and texture, supporting each lyric. I was very drawn to the longing and hope in their lyrics as well.”
The result was so exciting. You can purchase the vinyl record or CD at their site, LoFlo Records, and on all streaming and digital platforms. https://www.loflorecords.com/shop
Marsha is currently recording and releasing several singles to be compiled into her next album release in ‘26. Her most recent release for the album was Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be” for Disk Eyes Productions. The song was beautifully arranged and produced by Dori Amarilio at his studio in Los Angeles and is receiving rave reviews internationally. The next single release is currently being recorded and will be announced soon.
