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MARTY DREAD
Martin Charles Hennessey (Marty
Dread) was named after Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. when he
was born in the Bronx, New York
in 1969. When Marty was eight
years old, his father passed
away and his mother moved the
family to Maui, Hawai'i. The
change from concrete jungle to
botanical jungle was great, but
Marty was quick to adapt to the
laid-back ways of his new island
home.
In 1992, Marty Dread released
his first smash hit, "Wicked
Wahine". His debut effort
sold-out as a cassette single
and skyrocketed to the top of
the Hawaiian charts.
In 1994, Marty launched his own
record label, Five Corners
Music, with the release of
"Versatile Roots" - an album
that includes a duet with Kris
Kristofferson. The famed
songwriter/actor was so
impressed after sharing a
concert bill with Marty Dread
that Kristofferson offered to
lend a hand in the studio,
resulting in the song, "Reggae
Blues".
Marty Dread's popularity got
another boost in 1996 with the
release of "Reggae for Love"
which sold four times as many
copies as Marty's earlier
recordings.
Also in '96, three of Marty
Dread's songs were featured in
the international motion picture
release, "Maui Heat" - still
seen on television screens
around the world.
In 1997, Marty Dread released
his first live album, "Marty
Dread Live!" (recorded on the
Big Island of Hawaii) and made
two successful tours of
California, including stops at
the legendary House of Blues in
Hollywood.
One of the songs on Marty
Dread's 1999 release, "Reggae
Suite", was recorded at the
House of Blues when Marty Dread
opened for the legendary reggae
group, the Wailers.
In the year 2000, Marty Dread
released his fifth album, "Keiki
Reggae" (aka Reggae for
Children) with music tracks that
include school children from
throughout Maui County and a
special appearance by reggae
great, Pato Banton.
"Keiki Reggae" was nominated for
"Best Reggae Album of the Year"
at the 24th annual Na Hoku
Hanohano awards in Honolulu by
members of the Hawaii Academy of
Recording Arts. The song " mouse
in the house" is featured on the
cd " Regaae Playgroung" on
Putamayo records and peaked at
.. 1 on XM Radios childrens
channel in may of 2006.
In the summer of 2001, Marty
Dread performed at the 18th
annual "Reggae on the River"
event in northern California,
the largest reggae festival in
the world, and traveled to
Tahiti to perform in front of
thousands of people in Papeete. |
In December 2001, Marty Dread
released his sixth album, "On The Beach". In May 2002, "On The
Beach" was nominated for "Best Reggae Album of the Year" at the
25th annual Na Hoku Hanohano awards in Honolulu.
In 2003, Marty Dread released a collection of hits from the
first ten years of his recording career, plus six previously
unreleased songs, and continued to tour far and wide.
In the years since 2003 Marty Dread has recorded untold volumes
of songs including a duets album called "In Good Company"
(release date sept. 2006) collaborating with stars such as
Willie Nelson, Sly and Robbie, Junior Reid, Fiji,Mad
Professor,Anthony B., Common Sense, Nara Boone, Fyah Wyah, Olu,
Neville Francis, Tony Moses, and many more.
Marty Dread's first crossover album "Next Level" is his
strongest effort to date. It fuses Hip Hop and Dance Hall and is
geared toward clubs and dancefloors.It is on the dj
shakinmelodis record label and has gained spins all over the
world.
Also recorded, a clash album with Alika, an upcoming reggae
singer from the island of Kauai, titled Marty Dread Meets Alika
At Koloa Dub Lab.
The Definative " Best of" Marty Dread called "Another day in
Paradise" is also be available on cd and on I-Tunes.
Another recording yet to be released is Marty Dread's second
live album, recorded in Alaska, California, and Hawaii.
Marty also collaborated with " Harmonic tribe" on thier debut cd
called the awakening which can be heard and purchased at
www.cdbaby.com
Harmonic Tribe toured with Willie Nelson on his 2006 summer tour
and gained many fans blending rock, blues, reggae and soul.Check
them out at www.myspace.com/harmonictribe
Visit www.willienelson.com to download "What ever happened to
peace on earth ?" sung by Willie Nelson, Marty Dread, Micheal
Mcdonald, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, and Pat Simmonds of The
Doobie Brothers.Proceeds will benifit the Veterens of this
insane war in Iraq.
Also look for "Peaceful Solution" by Willie Nelson and Marty
Dread and Produced by Mad Professor. Other critical Willie and
Marty Duets include,"Take No Part" with Sly and Robbie which
will be featured in the full-length reggae documentary "
Dreadlock Rock. www.dreadlockrock.com and " Laws of Nature"
which is a song Willie wrote about his life and kids.
Listen for Marty's song " No ice in Paradise" featuring Mad
Professor on " Dog the bounty hunter"s Tv show on A&E this
season.
Marty Dread Links:
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