Marie Barlow: Our Bios

Marie Barlow

Performing before 50,000 as the lead singer for the renowned New York Ragtime Orchestra at Japan’s Osaka Dome in 2004 as part of an international tour, Marie had little idea of the new chapter God was about to unfold. Her voice had been described as a “national treasure” -- an international singer whose performing career sent her to more than thirty countries and who enjoyed success living in Manhattan as an “in demand” singer in the Broadway community -- and rave coast to coast reviews accompanied her on the National Tour of “Annie” directed by the show’s lyricist, Martin Charnin, where she played the role of Grace Farrell. She originated the role of Elena in the world premiere of the riveting, critically acclaimed new off-Broadway musical "Berlin." But new winds were blowing, and when she and her husband, Gordy, felt God’s leading to release their first Christian CD “Dancer to the Drum” in the fall of 2004, they had little inkling that this recording would be wildly successful (endorsed by Tower Records among many others) and propel them to receive invitations to sing for churches, Christian conventions, Bible Conferences and Christian colleges all over the United States.

Marie's life-long love of singing and acting from a young age led her to Pepperdine University, and since graduating in musical theater, she has performed extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia as a guest soloist with orchestras and operas to lead roles in musical theater, delighting huge crowds and receiving accolades from Scotland to Japan, California to New York and everywhere in between. To highlight a few, Marie has been seen in roles which include Laurey in "Oklahoma", Julie Jordan in "Carousel", Maria in "West Side Story", Eliza in "My Fair Lady" and Sarah Brown in "Guys And Dolls. In Las Vegas, Marie has made her mark as a leading soloist and musical theater actress, performing arias and art songs in the Venetian Hotel and Casino, and with the Las Vegas Opera Guild. She headlined the top Vegas musical theater venues such as Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society (leading several Gilbert and Sullivan productions), Red Rock Summer Theater, and Signature Productions. She has been the highlighted lead singer for posh cruise lines such as Carnival, Norwegian, and Disney. She is a member of Actor's Equity Association; past teachers include Mark Planner, Giorgio Tozzi, and the Late, Great, Sir Dr. Roger Wagner.

To sing for churches and Christian audiences has remained a lifelong dream that is now being fulfilled. Though she calls New York City her second home, Marie now lives full time with her husband and record producer Gordy Martin in Elizabethtown, PA where they are combining their talents in music ministry. Marie and Gordy are committed Christians, and their love of God overflows in their concerts of praise that they are now conducting all over the United States at churches, concert halls, retreats and Bible conrferences and Christian conventions.

Marie's vocal artistry, expertise in modern as well as classical styles, and graceful elegance puts her in demand as a guest soloist throughout the United States…and Gordy’s talents are her perfect compliment.

Gordy

From singing with, playing on or producing over 50 albums (the list reads as a veritable who’s who of Christian and pop artists of the 80’s and 90’s) to singing and playing in over 200 churches including work with the Billy Graham crusade--Gordy has spent over twenty years as a professional musician with a love for the church. He grew up in Eastern Washington State in a musical family and was playing guitar, mandolin, and anything with strings at his father’s side by age five. He found salvation at a Christian camp as a buck-toothed grade-schooler, and first led singing at that same camp where he developed a lifelong love of leading others in worship.

A graduate in music from Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute, Gordy has worked both in church music and as a professional studio musician and studio producer. He has performed in churches all over the world as a singer, guitarist, and banjo player(!). A published songwriter, his original worship songs are enjoyed by various congregations and Christian organizations.

Currently, Gordy is an executive with Menchey Music in central Pennyslvania and northern Maryland, but his primary occupation is rubbing his wife’s tired feet, and playing and singing with her. Together, the harmony of Gordy and Marie’s music is an extension of their marriage partnership. Marie’s powerful, refined soprano with Gordy’s sweet tenor voice and instrumentals combine in a concert of praise that touches the soul. Gordy and Marie have been amazed at the way God has blessed their marriage and their ministry, and they look forward to what lies ahead.