For concise bio see Media
Rosemarie has been doing some form of writing
since she was 5. She wrote plays and poems as a child growing
up in England. Her interest in the poetry and life of Canadian
poet E. Pauline Johnson greatly influenced her own writing
and way of looking at the world. Other writers that inspired
her in her 20’s were Kahlil Gibran, Bob Dylan, Joan
Baez, Phil Ochs, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, and Lao Tse.
Later on it was the writing, inspiration and
soul of people like Daniel Lanois, Stephen Fearing, John Bottomley
and Jann Arden, that forced her to finally do her own CD.
Before coming to Vancouver in November 1997
from Ancaster, Ontario, Rosemarie began writing songs as well
as her poetry. "Some how or other I just found it to
be a natural progression. To me it was very therapeutic. It
gave me a voice. I had been playing classical guitar since
I was 18, bought myself my first acoustic guitar in 1997 in
Hamilton, and haven't looked back since."
She started singing Christmas carols with a
group for seniors in west end Vancouver. Also she sang with
another group and her huge puppet Emily for young children
at Community Days, but had never sung her own songs.
"My big break came with the BC Festival of the Arts.
They had a Call for Entry and were asking for singer/songwriter's
who could accompany themselves on an instrument and who "showed
promise for a professional career." So I tossed my little
cassette in the mail, and received the call to go to Victoria.
I had to perform for the very first time in front of 250 people,
with the house lights up, no less! I was one of 14 other people
accepted out of about 100 applicants, so it was a real privilege.
The reaction from audience members was amazing
as they said that my songs were very inspiring, that I had
inspired them, and that I was very professional. It really
pivoted me into continuing to write. It was such an honour
to work and share the stage with people like Stephen Fearing,
Colleen Eccleston, and David Grierson from CBC, who was taping
the show.
I have had some wonderful feedback about my
new CD so far. It's a headphone's type record. It's very romantic,
peaceful, spiritual, soft, intimate, vulnerable and honest.
It's me! It is my voice; it is my heart; it is my truth. It's
an unadorned acoustic record. Straight up and simple. I hope
people will like it."
All of the songs on the CD, except the words
to Day Dawn, were written by Rosemarie. She accompanies herself
on guitar and harmonies on all the tracks, produced the CD,
and took all the nature photos too.
Not many people know that Rosemarie is an avid
photographer who also has her photos in Chiefswood Museum,
Ohsweken, Ontario, the birthplace of E. Pauline Johnson. "Yes,
I sent off my enlarged photographs of Pauline's cairn that's
located here in Stanley Park. I sent them to the curator of
the museum, Paula Whitlow. She in turn had to present them
to the Six Nations band council for approval, which they did.
They sent me a lovely letter saying that "they would
be there for generations to come”! That has been one
of the greatest gifts to me for I visited Pauline's house
many times. Now a piece of me remains in that house. I was
invited to the grand re-opening of Chiefswood in 1998 and
it was the most special moment in my life."
Rosemarie has sold many of her framed photographs
and photo cards. Some are for sale, along with her CD, in
the Art and Store
page. Presently she is also working on a book of poetry with
photos plus a new CD. "I love nature and what it says
to me. I am more at peace in the woods or a garden or by the
ocean, and BC offers the most beautiful vistas I have ever
seen."
Rosemarie's debut CD 'Eyes of the Angels' reflects
that beauty of nature, the spirit and of loves' lost. It is
full of poetical lyricism, not a hook-driven pop formula.
Like herself, it's unpretentious, passionate, refreshingly
honest, and full of hope.
Check into the News
page or the Tour page
for info on her up-coming performances before her tour in
2004.
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