Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marty Manous. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marty, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was 15 years old when I was hired for my first professional gig. I knew then that playing guitar and performing was what I wanted to do for living. I tell people I was ruined the moment I found out they would pay me to sing and play guitar for a living. All jokes aside I started playing guitar for an emotional and spiritual outlet at 12 years old and it was therapeutic for me. I guess you could say I was somewhat of a troubled teen, with a lot emotional issues and the first time I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan perform on a recording it literally grabbed me by my soul. I could feel every note he played and sang. I knew then it was something I needed to do. I wanted be able to convey emotion and help people feel spiritually connected to music like I did in that moment. That moment was a relief for me and an awakening into a world of expression and feeling. I have been pursuing that ever since and I am blessed to able to make a living performing and recording music.

Marty, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

First off if you are just discovering me for the first time in this interview, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this article and I hope you enjoy getting to know a little about me and take a listen to my music. For my fans and friends thank you for your continued support.

My name is Marty Manous I am a professional musician/recording artist. I have two albums out currently released on all major listening platforms; Apple Music, Spotify, Etc… I am a singer, guitar player and songwriter. I am known for blues rock guitar hero style playing and my performances where I do my best to bring something from an emotional connective level to the audience and give it my all.

I’ve been a professional performing musician since the age of 15. I own a record label and management company “Lucky Street Music” I perform an average of 250 shows a year backed by a band or solo acoustically. You can see and hear me perform anywhere from a music festival, to world famous blues clubs such as Northside Tavern, private events, or solo acoustic and high end restaurant/venues.

I am currently starting preproduction on my 3rd album, it has been a while since I’ve released new material and I feel I have grown as an artist, singer, guitarist and a man immensely in this time. I hope that I bring something truly meaningful and emotionally connecting to this new release.

you can keep up to date with my upcoming shows, recordings and other projects at: martymanous.com and @martymanous on all social media platforms

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The album “Know My Name” was largely influenced by my fiancé Leslie with songs like; “Don’t Let Me Go” which is about me knowing I found the love of my life; “My Girl” a provocative rock song; “Know My Name” a song about determination; and “Transcending” an instrumental song that I wrote because she said I needed an instrumental song on the album as well.

With the momentum we had going, we had big plans for 2017 and beyond. We had two albums out on our record label “Luck Street Music” with critical and fan acclaim, my own publishing company. I was now a voting member on the Grammys, a member of the Georgia Music Partnership, and performing out 180 dates a year.

Tragically, on February 13th, 2017, Leslie unexpectedly passed away. She is absolutely the most amazing person. She was a nurse with a master’s degree working in the burn unit at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. She had started out as a teenage mom that raised her daughter on her own while also having a successful career.

She was beautiful, brilliant, and kind. Her belief in me and willingness to help in any way she could help take my career, and more importantly me as a man, to another level.

For the last four years, I’ve been truly devastated, I have pulled back from social media and released music to help look after her daughter and to try and figure out what to do without her here with me. It’s something I’m still trying to figure out, but I know I want to honor her and her belief in me. I have battled immensely with depression and ptsd from multiple trauma in my life.

I’m on year five now after losing Leslie, thankfully through therapy and the loving support of friends, family, and fans I’ve started working towards moving my career forward recording demos for new upcoming releases.

I’m still performing out now about 250 dates a year and looking to the future now with my career and in my personal life. I am looking forward to releasing new music and performing.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2008 I lost my Dad to cancer, he was my biggest fan and encouraged me to chase my dreams and go for it! My dad before passing made me promise to not give up on my goals and to work hard at them. I went back to school after his passing and went to therapy for the first time. I spent a lot of time with self growth and becoming the person I wanted to be. I started singing during this time as well and though it took years I developed my voice and educated my self on the music business. In 2014 I started record label and released my first album. All the while performing out and teaching music. One thing that I’ve learned through everything I’ve been through is educating yourself, hard work and personal growth; mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually will always bring you to a better place allow you achieve your goals . I have been blessed to have some amazing people in my life and I continue to be thankful for the people who are in my life and the career I have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://martymanous.com
• Instagram: @martymanous
• Facebook: facebook.com/MartyMnaous
• Linkedin: @martymanous
• Twitter: @martymanous
• Youtube: @martymanous
• Other: you can find my music on all major platforms. Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and on my website everything is listed under my name Marty Manous.

Image Credits
All photographs by Drew Stawin, April Elizebeth and Melissa Eppers