DOB: June 1, 1976
POSITION: Lead Vocals
An excerpt from an interview with myself…
"…I guess I've always loved music. It has always been a part of my life. When my dad was my age, he sang in a gospel quartet and recorded, I think, two or three records. My whole family can sing. We always sing at big family gatherings. I don't know, it's pretty much just something I never really thought about very much. You know? I just loved music… I still do. And now I get to do it, and that is just unbelievable… it's great! I always dreamed, and now it's coming true… and even if we just make our CD and sell it locally at our gigs and just do music together for a few years, I will in no way consider it to have been a waste of time.
"When I was in high school, I wasn't involved in any music programs there. I just didn't want to be involved. I was singing in a band called The Brethren at the time, and that was enough for me. I also sang in the choir at church. I've always done that. I taught myself to play guitar on an old Harmony that I bought from a missionary friend of my family's for $23 and a promise to learn to play it so I could lead worship for our youth group one day. It's funny, because I lead worship for my youth group for years, and now that I'm at a different church, I lead worship for the college group. I think that will always be part of what I do, no matter where I'm at. God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and truth and that's one thing I love to do. Worship is a huge part of my life… it's one of my greatest passions in life.
"After high school, I went through some really life changing, faith changing experiences. You know, just trying to see where I fit into the world. I finally had to realize that I'm not supposed to fit into the world. We are in the world, but not of it. The Bible clearly teaches that. I think one of the greatest things is how God loves us even when He is the last place we turn to. I know that if He had not brought three of my now best friends into my life that first year out of high school, I might be in a place I don't even want to think about now. Those three guys not only became my best friends, but we formed a band called The Pimpernels or "The Nels". I think that's where I really became comfortable performing in front of people. Being in the spotlight and having to actually say something of value in front of a group of peers, or even older people can be quite frightening for me. I'm not much of a speaker. I guess I feel like I communicate best through my lyrics, and then singing them. I think that's why our songs really give away a lot about who I am… who we, as a band, and as individuals are.
"…Caleb and Dean were in a band called Haley Road at the same time I was with The Nels. Caleb's brother Zach was the drummer for my band, and that's how I know him. So when his band and our band both ended around the same time, I was talking with him and Dean about just my desire to continue in music. You know, whatever it looked like… I didn't care. I just wanted to do this thing that I loved so much. They introduced me to Joe and Michael, and eventually we formed ebb tide. It's been an experience I never imagined it could be. Things are looking bright for us. I'm really excited to see where the Lord takes us.
"…Advice? Um… I guess, you know, if you really have something good and you feel strongly that that's what you should be doing with your life, don't let the practical side say that it's not worth your time. Go for it. And if nothing happens, or if people are telling you , "you suck," maybe take those things into consideration. But really, follow your heart and trust in the Lord with all of it. He'll lead you.
"I think that's all I have to say. Is that enough for a biography? When it all comes down, I really enjoy singing… actually, it's more of a passion. It's how I express myself. Everyone needs to feel heard, and for now, this is the platform God's given to me.
"…Working my forty-hour-a-week job and leading worship for my college group, hanging out with my friends, struggling to do my best with this time I'm given here on earth, making music I love and hoping that other people will too… that's ebb tide. Who the other four guys and I are is who ebb tide is… We're all committed to seeing it happen."
Marc