Marcus Ealy sings "The Star Spangled Banner" at Full Sail University

I was honored and humbled at the opportunity to help commemorate our military at Full Sail's Memorial Day Observation.  This is a nice reminder on why we are actually celebrating this weekend.  Please share!

Dreams Really Do Come True

One of the items on my bucket list, right up there with walking through history in Europe and skydiving, is to perform in an arena setting.  Ideally, as a teenager, I envisioned this happening as part of my career as a touring artist.  (Please believe, I have NOT given up this dream in the least!)  However, I was able to make mark this feat off of my bucket list after winning the Full Sail University National Anthem Competition in 2012, giving me the opportunity to sing in Orlando’s Amway Center for the Orlando Magic and a crowd of roughly 15,000.  It was a magical experience!  Many (including myself) thought I would be nervous in that setting, singing acapella absolutely solo.  Oddly enough, my nerves were overcome by the excitement of it all and I felt right at home like it was what I was meant to do with my life.  I will never forget this experience.

Fortunately, I don't have to live on memories alone.  I’ve been asked perform in at the Amway AGAIN!!  This Friday, Valentine’s Day 2014, I will be back in the Amway Center to sing for the Orlando Solar Bears hockey team!  (Seems kind of fitting that I would spend the Day of Love enjoying my first love - MUSIC.)  This opportunity came as part of “Full Sail Night with the Solar Bears.”   It’s always an honor for me to be in this position.  I promise I will do all I can to make any American within the sound of my voice proud to have me on the microphone. :)

Here is a clip of my first arena experience – singing for the Orlando Magic on April 25, 2012.  Enjoy!

 

Oh, the places we will go...

On Sunday morning, OUTLOUD!, my ensemble group within the Orlando Gay Chorus, is going to be the soundtrack for a Jewish wedding! That's a lot of firsts happening for me WITH ONE EVENT - live soundtracking, Jewish wedding, synagogue! The bride is Moira of Real Radio’s “Philips Phile” show. When I say soundtrack, I mean every moment of the wedding ceremony will be accompanied by our voices in beautiful song. From "Somewhere over the Rainbow" to "It's Raining Men" to Wicked's "For Good", we sing 10 songs over the span of about 30 minutes.  Like something straight out of Sex and The City 2. This will be a pretty unique experience…

My view is better than yours...

photo courtesy of www.emelisande.com

Last night, I had the chance to see the amazing Emeli Sande at the House of Blues Orlando.  First, I must say – this chick is the next big thing in America.  She is already huge in the U.K. but she is about to skyrocket to success on this side of the pond as well.  Why?  She has the look, she oozes passion, her voice is amazeballs, she's a crazy-talented songwriter, and she just flat out SINGS.  My country roots are beckoning me to be more accurate: “homegirl can SANG!”  I consider myself extremely lucky to have had a chance to see her at $27 a ticket, because that definitely won’t last for long!   When it happens, I will gladly say, “I told you so.”

While basking in her talent and showmanship, it dawned on me that I was one of the few looking directly at the stage… about 80% of the audience had smartphone devices in the air, recording the show.  I see a couple of issues with this…  It’s annoying for people trying to see the show that want to appreciate all of the show production work that goes into the full spectacle without it being obstructed by a sea of little glowing screens.  Besides, what are you planning with the recording?   It’s more a comment on the technological age we are in, where no one can do anything without preserving the experience to share later.  I get it - I'm totally guilty of documenting anything cool that I get to do, then blasting it on social media to share with friends.   However, a photo and a video are different in that a video actually takes work.  Personally, I would rather enjoy the real thing in the moment.  BE PRESENT, people!  Put the phones away and take in the actual experience!  Give the respect due to the artist on stage pouring their heart out to you.  My experience with Emeli was likely much richer than your shaky cam recording will be later. 

Central Florida's Hidden Gem: OGC

The Orlando Gay Chorus is presenting their 2012 holiday concert, "Reasons for the Season" at The Plaza LIVE, 425 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando. Performances will be held Saturday, December 15 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 16 at 4:30pm. "Reasons for the Season" will feature both traditional holiday music and other songs celebrating the diversity of the season. 

See me for tickets or you can also purchase them directly on the website (www.orlandogaychorus.org) - just make sure to use my referral code: 1391. Even if you can't attend personally, it would be a great holiday gift for a loved one. It's going to be a beautiful show. Oh, and your's truly has a solo, so it would be a chance to hear me "sang a lil bit"...