Originally from south Florida, Flemming has been a professional musician for more than 30 years winning numerous songwriting and "Best of" awards for her unique perspective on the rich tapestry of American music. Marianne is known as a fine singer, composer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. She has opened for many national acts including Donavon, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson, Leon Russell, and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds. Marianne has toured the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. Even having Bo Diddly sit in with her while busking in Hyde Park.
From The Bluebird Café in Nashville, to The Bitter End in New York and Seattle's Folk Life stage, Marianne has appeared on many stages across the country. Her recorded music has been played on radio stations around the world. Flemming’s song “Come on Back to My House” was covered for a compilation project of LA woman vocalists and released on a CD called “Her Voice”. That song sits in with covers of John Prine, Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson. In addition, songs from 2 of her CD’S were re-packaged into a compilation CD and distributed in Germany by Square One Records.
After spending 10 years in Madison Wisconsin, Marianne added family and children to her proudest of accomplishments. Currently, residing in SW Washington, Marianne balances her day job as a special education teacher, mother of two and music obsession with mostly a smile. She continues to perform, write and record. Marianne has just released her 5th recording project, " Across the Hemisphere", recorded and produced at home, under lockdown and unrest with her husband guitarist Kevin Neil in the beginning of 2022. That project charted at #32 over the summer on the folk charts and reached #23 on college and AAA formats over that same time period. In Feb. 2023, Marianne’s song Ruby Red Slippers made the finalists for the IAMA (international acoustic music awards) AAA/Alternative category.
Kevin and Marianne describe their style as "Hill Billy- Bosa Nova" and sometimes can be spotted as the "The Billy Novas".
"Marianne's audience rapport was engaging. She sang with wonderful pitch, and controlled abandon. Flemming's guitar playing was inventive and smooth, and her compositions were clever and interesting -musically and lyrically."
Robert Goss, Production Coordinator, PSU Lincoln Performance Hall, Portland OR
“The combination of her great lyrics and stellar musicianship makes this woman a cult legend.”
Rachel Bissex, Singer/Songwriter
I was blown away by Marianne's talent. I can't remember the last time I was so impressed with a performer - not only do I love her guitar playing, but she has an amazing singing style, and as if that isn't enough, she writes great songs too!
David Duthie, Bassist, River City Ramblers
Varying between a jazz-inflected, sinuous voice reminiscent of Rickie Lee Jones and Natalie Merchant, the solid folk sensibility of Janis Ian, and the straight-ahead emotionalism of Patty Griffin, songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Marianne Flemming has been writing and performing memorable lyrics and melodies for many years. Michael Henchman, Producer, Singer/Songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist
Photo Credit: Alistair Hennessey