MARIA LONG

Maria is a singer/songwriter that has been performing with her band all over the south and midwest. She has a passionate voice with an amazing range! Her soul seeking lyrics will capture and inspire your heart.

***NEWS***

*November 2007 Maria Long was nominated by CCM Magazine for a Reader's Choice Awards for best new independent artist.

*The Creators of the WOW cd's have chosen Maria's song "Here With Me" for inclusion on their Underground Sound cd - featuring the 15 top independent artists in the country. This cd will be released March 2008.

*CCM Magazine has chosen Maria Long as 1 of only 3 indies to feature her song INSIDE on their New Music Collection vol. 1. Other artists on the cd include: Anberlin, The Almost, Aaron Shust, Building 429, Fireflight, Nevertheless, and more....

*CCM also named Maria Long one of the top Independent Artist in music today in their recent September 2007 issue and made her a selection for the reader's choice.

*Maria Long has shared the stage with Family Force 5, Jars of Clay, Kutless, Jason Morant, and more....

*Artist Ovation Contest Finalist for the Collide Festival and judge favorite.

*She won $1000 dollars in The Unveiling Contest in Houston, TX as the runner up... Her band beat out nearly 200 bands across the country to win this award.

BIO

In a society where talking about God is quickly becoming a thing of the past, Maria Long brings a different approach. She is up front about what she believes and will share with anyone who asks. Her lyrics are personal and vulnerable about her experiences and struggles with God. They are clear because Maria never wants people to be mistaken about where she stands. She views her music ministry as more than just an opportunity to perform the songs that God has given her. She believes that God has given her these musical talents to speak out on issues that are affecting teens today like: suicide, sex, drugs, and lack of purpose. Through powerful testimonies and sharing the stories behind her songs, Maria gives her audience a meaningful experience that they can all relate with, and challenges them to STANDOUT for God.

Music has always been a huge influence in Maria's life. During her childhood years her parents were in a traveling singing group and toured all over the US. At age 2 Maria wrote her first song. She has performed on countless stages for many church events and programs. Her passion for making music that speaks to the heart came early in her life when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age 12. In high school Maria traveled around Texas as a singing recruiter. Then when she attended SWAU in Texas she traveled to youth conferences, retreats, high schools, camps, campmeetings, and churches all over the U.S. sharing God and music with many teens her age. In her Junior year in college, she decided to become a student missionary on a tiny island called Yap. She taught 6th and 7th grades that year and found a new passion for her life in addition to music. It was there that she made the decision to become a teacher.

After getting her degree in Elementary Education, Maria became a teacher and found her career very fulfilling. During her time as a teacher, in addition to teaching a full load, she also taught guitar and choir for grades K-10, and still found time to write and perform Christian music throughout Arkansas and Texas. After three years in Arkansas, God led her into a public high school ministry position for Andrews University in Michigan. Maria spent her time traveling and performing throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She also established , a weekly public high school ministry in Berrien Springs and then began to train and mentor teens in starting their own ministries. After being told by teens over and over that she needed to make a CD and that her music meant so much to them, she realized that God was telling her to move forward with her music ministry. Maria recorded her debut album Here With Me in the summer of 2006 and released it October 14, 2006 at the Attic Christian Rock Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For this album, she found her songwriting inspiration in various places. Some of her songs originated with time that she spent with God in His Word. Others were written through personal struggles she was dealing with. was a song that came when Maria was just overwhelmed by God and His Amazing presence. were written because of experiences that she has had ministering to teens from who are struggling.

It is this kind of personal touch that is the trademark of Maria music and ministry. Through Myspace.com, she ministers to hundreds of teens and adults and answers questions of those who are having difficult times or are simply seeking someone who cares to give spiritual advice. Maria Long has a bright future ahead of her. She says often, God is blessing me faster than I can give Him credit. God is opening many doors for Maria's music, her life, and ministry and as long as He continues to open them she will step through them...

OTHER ARTIST WEBSITE:  myspace.com/marialong

HOME TOWN: 
Hot Springs, AR

GROUP/BAND MEMBERS: 
Maria Long - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Fonz Roda - lead guitar, back up vocals
Christine Demeo - rhythm/lead guitar/back up vocals
Daniel - bass guitar
Bryan Runion - drums
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INFLUENCES: 
Sarah McLachlan, Avril Lavigne, Jewel, Jennifer Knapp, Alanis Morrisete, Sheryl Crow, Barlowgirl, Amy Lee of Evanescence...

ON MY PLAYLIST: 
Nevertheless, Sarah McLachlan, Skillet, Barlowgirl, Relient K, Switchfoot, Jennifer Knapp, Kelly Clarkson, Colbie Calait, Avril Lavigne, Coldplay,