by Runs Feb. 1-5th.
Singer-songwriter Danielle Marie is originally from Morinville, Alberta. She has always had a passion for music, participated in early music programs, and continued with music and band in school until 2011, when she decided to seriously pursue a music career.
I ventured into the world of ballroom dance when I was 13 and before that I trained in Ukrainian dance at the age of 8. By grade 10 I was so in love with Ballroom that I moved to a school with an elite athlete program that allowed me to train and compete at the level necessary to achieve my personal goals. It was hard leaving friends behind but it also meant I was surrounded by people pursuing their dreams and instead of peers telling me I would never go anywhere.
If there is one thing that dance has done for me, it would be that it prepared me for life! The amount of discipline, hard work, drive and passion that it takes to compete and win a title is incredible.
I come from a family of high achievers and both my siblings are in elite athlete programs. My 12 year old sister is the current Canadian National 12 & Under Synchronized Swim Champion and my brother is living away from home with a billet family to pursue his dream of goaltending in the hockey world.
Heavily influenced by contemporary artists like Ed Sheeran and Adele, Danielle released her first EP in July 2013, which hit the #1 local spot on ReverbNation. A month later she headed to Nashville with 5 songs in hand, and recorded a full album, ‘More Than Just A Girl’, as well as her first music video. Making a video also gave Danielle a chance to indulge her other – but equally compelling – love: acting. Within 24 hours of posting her controversial video ‘Mad Kicks’, it reached over 10,000 YouTube plays – no mean feat for a new artist.
Since releasing this music last year, it has been suggested that it could easily cross over into the alternative country genre. In just one year on ReverbNation, where she sits #1 locally, nationally and globally on the Country charts, over 1,000,000 plays and 40,000 fans, Danielle is beginning to attract some international attention. She is feeling more confident than ever, and ready to take her career to the next level.
Danielle’s has attracted the attention of a number of industry heavyweights including Canadian country star Gord Bamford, and Award winning Nashville hit writer Byron Hill; and has sung the Canadian national anthem for the Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.
Canadian country radio is beginning to take notice of this newcomer, and has begun to add Danielle’s single. In addition, she was scouted for Miss Teen Canada Globe 2014, and was also the 2013 10-Dance U.S. National A ‘Closed Silver Ballroom’ Dance Champion. (She not only WON, but placed 1st in all dances.)
It came as no surprise to anyone when this spectacularly poised and multi-gifted young performer was chosen to showcase at the prestigious Canadian Music Week 2014 conference in Toronto, one of the premier entertainment events in North America focusing on the business of music.
Danielle was just named the 2015 CCMA Spotlight Performance WINNER which has secured her a performance spot at the fan-favourite Legends Show: A Tribute to Yesterday and Today, taking place during this year’s Country Music Week, being held from September 10 – 13 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Danielle has also recently been named a 2015 Unsigned Only Semi-Finalist for 2 of her original songs off her new album ‘Here Right Now’. With a 2015 Edmonton Music Awards nomination for ‘Artist to Watch’, a 2014 ‘Unsigned Only’ Music Competition Honourable Mention, a 2013 International Songwriting Competition semi-finalist award, Sold Out shows and a sophomore album helmed by award winning Producer Tom McKillip which broke the top 25 iTunes Country Albums within 24 hours of release, 2015 has already proven to be a year of exciting career milestones for Danielle.
A natural performer and happiest in front of an audience, it is obvious that music feeds her soul – and that Danielle Marie is one to watch.
