Drew Marler

Born June 18th 1974 and I grew up in Opelika, Al. listening and playing music in a musically enthusiastic family, with my mother a pianist and my father a writer and professional storyteller.  My childhood was immersed in family gatherings where everyone sang or played an instrument. This musical environment had a lasting impact in my reverence for music as a tool to bring people together and bond communities with style and expression.  I took piano lessons as a young child, but gravitated towards the guitar at an early age. With a natural ability to play many styles of music and pick out melodies and chord changes by ear, I developed my sound and began playing in bands with a focus on guitar, bass, piano, and vocals.

     I played my first show at a honky tonk truck stop at age 15, and soon began playing live shows regularly with my twin brother Daniel as, The Bros. Marler. We played local bars, festivals, and parties throughout high school. After high school we went in different directions. I developed a strong solo singer style and continued playing throughout the Southeast while in college, learning how to play the mandolin, banjo, and harmonica along the way.

     In 1998, The Bros. Marler reunited and we moved to Athens, Ga.. During our time together, we shared the stage with a multitude of talent including; The Jerry Garcia Band, Dave Schools of Widespread Panic, Bloodkin, Michael Guthrie, Caroline Aiken, Drive by Truckers, Jason Isabel, John Keane, and many other great musicians. The Bros. Marler released our debut, Songs for Pluto , in spring of 2007. Shortly after the release, we were represented at the Cannes film festival by Canadian/American records, and our music was accepted and featured enthusiastically on numerous radio stations in France, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Spain, England, and Italy. The Bros. embarked on a partnership with the, for the artist , independent label, One Deaf Ear, out of Maryland. We were a featured showcase, preparing to release our first CD. After months of strategic gigging and press reviews, a blow of bad luck struck when the label went bankrupt as a result of an employee embezzling most of the labels capital. One Deaf Ear folded and we were left to release our CD on our own. We toured ferociously for several years playing any venue we could land. Our zenith was in the summer of 2009 for the Sunshine Tour, where we set up 34 shows beginning in Jacksonville, Florida, touring down to Miami and back up the gulf coast to Gainesville, Florida.. Such an experience was a crash course in the music business.

     In 2012, Daniel took a job offer in China. Although his talent and presence is missed, I have continued to share my love of music as a solo acoustic performer, often pairing up with my wife Shannon Marler/Sausser, a music therapist, drummer and percussionist under the name, Leather and Lace .  The summer of 2013, Shannon and I toured the East coast from Georgia to the North Carolina islands playing 28 shows in a month and a half. This experienced so moved us that we moved to Charleston, SC in the fall of 2013.  Since settling in Charleston, I have continued to play as a solo acoustic act or with the Leather and Lace duo.  With an extensive catalog of cover music, and cleverly crafted original tunes I have put together an arsenal of sound for any occasion with a blend of an older and younger generation of music; such as Ray LaMontange, Led Zepplin, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Wilco, The Beatles, The Black Crowes, Neil Young, Bob Marley, Ryan Adams, Allman Bros., Van Morrison, and many more. Whether its playing softer jazz for restaurants, laid back beach tunes on a deck by the ocean, upbeat dance music for weddings, or rock and roll for the bar scene, I always try to deliver a good time and world class entertainment true to the family gatherings that so moved me as a child.       Contact: (706) 714-5563 

Email: drewmarler@gmail.com             www.reverbnation.com/drewmarler