About Maree McRae
Singer-songwriter Maree McRae possesses a rare combination of talent, personality, passion and spirit. A lifelong vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, she has played keyboards since the age of five and guitar since the 5th grade.
“I took the long way, and now it's clear where I was heading.” So goes her track “Do It For Love,” a song that seems to define her enduring musical career, which began with McRae fronting pop bands in California at the age of 15, then graduated with her as lead singer and virtuoso on keys, guitar and mandolin for one of the Rocky Mountains Regions' most sought after acts, Cadillac Ranch.
During many successful years touring with the group, McRae became a prolific songwriter in the quiet hotel rooms on the road, where she was able to find her own voice. This led to a number of successful singles making their way to national charts and also included a Top 10 single performed by Grammy country artist Colin Raye.
Maree embarked on a solo venture with her debut release “I Won't Settle For Less,” which made its mark on the national Top 40 Gavin Americana Chart, garnering critical acclaim alongside Emmy Lou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tom Petty.
Her career has synchronistically intertwined with various famed musicians. At the time of recording her debut album, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was also recording their Acoustic album in the studio next to her, Jimmy Ibbotson went to grab a cup of coffee and overheard McRae recording. Ibbotson returned to Denver the following week from Aspen to be a stand out vocal on the album. This project landed McRae the cover story of an industry-favorite Performance Magazine. The same month McRae became the top selling artist of the Musicfest Concert in Sweden.
When her young son's chronic illness required a mother's unconditional love, McRae halted her music career midstream. But the “years on hold” only opened her up to the inspriation for her second album, Urgency, most tunes spawned by her experience as a parent faced with the heartbreak of a sick child.
A few years later, Nashville producer, Wyatt Easterling, heard Mcrae's demo and offered her a few months in Nashville to record the new material. Easterling had on his many credits, the production of Grammy-nominated “Life's a Dance” by John Michael Montgomery and was a chief player in the signing of Keith Urban. The time in Nashville brought together a sterling assortment of world class collaborators on McRae's sophmore album including Bonnie Raitt's longtime guitarist, George Marinelli and musicians sharing on projects by Alison Krauss, Kelly Clarkson and Shawn Colvin.
Each of the 12 songs on Urgency, all written by McRae, stands strong with the appealing flavor of insightful Adult Contemporary Folk/Rock. The title cut which was composed while walking out of the hospital after her son's diagnosis, examines the preciousness of each of life'a moments and the poignant universal theme of immortality. This soulful collection of works hold McRae's heartfelt voice front and center. The opening track, Breeze, made its mark on the National Hot AC Radio chart alongside Taylor Swift.
The last few years also include a stellar Christmas project with internationally known Celtic artist, Linda Hickman. The project includes compositions from both Hickman and McRae and beautifully integrated flute, piano and guitar into a seamless soothing Holiday project.
Maree McRae resides in Denver and, among a variety of projects, is working on weaving her latest music into causes that touch her heart. Most notably, McRae is working on performing concerts for incarcerated women and also working to set up music expression programs for homeless youths in shelters.
McRae performs throughout the Front Range region and is always a rare talent to see live. Past venues include the Obama Inauguration, Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre, Denver Botanical Gardens and the nationally renowned resort The Broadmoor, World Musicfest. McRae maintains a 5 star review by vendors with the national booking company Gigmasters and has been awarded Best Artist/Performer every year from 2015 through 2018.
McRae is currently focused on writing material for her 4th upcoming album, slated for 2021 release.
“I really enjoyed the disc. The album was pleasantly surprising and every bit as strong as the major label products I receive on a daily basis.”
“McRae gives listeners songs that are filled with heart and soul... songs that will thrill radio listeners.”
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Highest Vocal Rating - Nashville Entertainment Association