Born & raised in Duluth,
MN, Darlene Marie has been adding her powerhouse
vocals and great stage presence to The Shackshakers since September of
1997.
Music has always been an interest, from her early days
of playing piano, cello, violin, and performing in choir.
She enjoys most types of music,
and listeners are amazed of how she can croon out a ballad,
or wail out a blues tune with such ease.
Definitely a voice you'll remember.
25 QUESTIONS
WITH DARLENE
| BIRTHDATE & PLACE | May 4 - Duluth, MN |
| FIRST GIG | Sept. 12, 1997 at Legend's (now The Lost Isle), Carlton, MN (After a few stiff shots!) |
| WHAT AGE YOU STARTED PLAYING | I started playing the violin in grade K; two years later switched to the cello which I played until graduation. I have always enjoyed singing, as far back as I can remember, but never thought I might pursue it as a career. |
| LESSONS OR NATURAL | lessons for instruments, no voice lessons |
| GROUPS/MUSICIANS THAT INFLUENCED YOU | I was enthralled with The Barbara Mandrell Show (remember that one?) She made it look so easy & fun! Made me want to do it, too! |
| FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS | No absolute FAVORITE. I enjoy too many to list. But, Michael McDonald's voice makes me shiver! I really dig Anita Baker, I enjoy Molly & The Heymakers for her peppy original compositions, and, of course, Patsy Cline has a voice that compares with no other. |
| BEST CONCERT YOU'VE SEEN | Huey Lewis & The News, but I have seen many concerts I enjoyed. |
| FAVORITE PLACE TO PERFORM | I enjoy most places we perform, but the folks at The Boondocks (Forbes) are extra special to me! |
| A FEW FAVORITE SONGS | "You're the Only Woman" (Ambrosia), "I Go Crazy" (Paul Davis), "I Love You" (Climax Blues Band)...just about any mushy 70's love ballad will do. |
| FIRST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT | Olivia Newton John - Physical 45, Yeah...makes me laugh, too! |
| WHAT YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME | Love to shop thrift stores, rummage sales & ebay. Watch movies. |
| PET PEEVES | The misconception that what we do is so glamorous...it is hard work! (Which brings me to mention my disgust that so many artist get fame handed to them. How can you possibly DEBUT at #1 if no one has even heard you before? Heaven knows, not many of them have hauled equipment or even performed in a smoky bar for a real live crowd! Get real!) |
| FAVORITE FOOD/ DRINK | I enjoy dining out. Anytime some else cooks for me, that is a good meal! Vodka & cranberry juice is my drink of choice. |
| BAD HABITS | Procrastination (Like these Q&A's!) |
| FAVORITE SPORT | Not really into any sport |
| FAVORITE CANDY | chocolate covered nuts |
| FAVORITE MOVIES | Back to the Future, Young Guns, The Ring |
| LAST BOOK YOU'VE READ | V.C. Andrew CUTLER Series |
| BEST DISH YOU CAN COOK | Pretty good at the ol' Minnesota Hotdish stuff! |
| FOOD YOU HATE | Liver, Sauerkraut, Bologna, Processed Cheese, Lutefisk |
| MUSIC YOU DISLIKE | Rap, Alternative, Hip-Hop |
| WORST JOB YOU'VE HAD | No bad jobs, just bad bosses. |
| WORST GIG EXPERIENCES (or most embarrassing) | There have been many. But, getting a beer poured over my head, in front of the entire audience, because I wouldn't dance with the guy, was probably the stupidest! |
| THINGS YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PERFORMING | When the people are enjoying us, and letting us know it - that's the BEST! That I get to share it w/ Shawn is an added bonus |
| THINGS YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT PERFORMING | lousy load-ins, the smoke |
| IF YOU COULD START OVER (playing music), WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE | I wish I had learned to play a "band" instrument so I could contribute a bit more to the music we perform. (Can't really play much bar music with a cello!) |