Biography
2007 Tri-Centric Showcase Artist Northeast Regional Folk Alliance
2007 Finalist-Plowshares Song Contest, PA
2006 Finalist-Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, CO
2006- Honorable Mention-Telluride Troubadour Contest,CO
2006-Finalist-Wildflower Arts and Music Festival, TX
2006-Finalist-Suwannee Springfest Song Contest, FL
2005-Mid-Atlantic Song Association-Contest Award, VA
2005 Finalist -Plowshares Song Contest, PA
2004-2005-2006 ASCAP Song Award
2004 Just Plain Folks Music Award Nominee, Los Angelos,CA
2004 Finalist -Plowshares Song Contest, PA
2003 Finalist- Rose Garden Song Contest, Ma
2001 New Artist Showcase- Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, NY
2000 Winner- Suwannee Springfest Song Contest, FL
1989 Employeee of the Month-Crab Shanty, Mamaroneck, NY
Marc Douglas Berardo is a different kind of singer/songwriter. In what amounts to song length works of fiction, Berardo’s sharply drawn portraits cast a net on unusual and interesting characters and places. With a painter’s eye for detail, and music firmly rooted in the great American sound, Berardo sings about circus retirees, expatriates in Florida rum bars, union iron workers, old poets, aimless New York City debutantes, near death car crashes, hard nosed fishermen and of course, the changes that experience brings to everyone. He does this “simply and well” with what Rambles Cultural Magazine calls: “careful images and great tunes.”
“I try to write about people and situations that interest and entertain me. Subjects and places that I feel a connection with and that are unique in a quiet way. Real people and places caught in the moment, almost like a documentary film or a novel. At the same time, I need the music itself to take me somewhere…to make me feel something. The words have to sing and the music has to work. The kind of song that does those things is my idea of a good time.”
Based in the port town of Westerly, Rhode Island, Berardo performs an average of 150 nights a year everywhere from bars and coffeehouses to theaters and national festivals. Places such as the legendary Town Crier Cafe and Postcrypt Coffeehouse in New York to the world famous Trade Winds Cantina in North Florida and even St Anne's Chapel in Vatican City, Italy. Along the way he has shared the stage with a variety of national acts including, Peter Rowan, NRBQ, Guy Clark, Vassar Clements, Ralph Stanley, blues legend Chris Smither, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members The Buffalo Springfield, Brooks Williams, Norman Blake (Oh Brother Soundtrack), Steve Forbert, Mustard's Retreat, Eric Anderson, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, Red Molly, Garnet Rogers, Greg Trooper, The Kennedy's and John Haitt among others. As a member of The DesBerado Band with his brother Chris, Marc has been a part of shows with classic rock acts including Little Feat, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Doobie Brothers and others.
In April of 2006, Munga Music will release Berardo’s fourth CD (his first for the CT based label), entitled HARBOR. The highly anticipated collection produced by Prof. Dick Neal (Plexigrass, Larry Deming, Mockingbirds) is musically adventurous, oozing with integrity and just plain good for your soul. The thirteen new songs are framed by emotional string arrangements, exhilarating front porch clap a-longs and fine grooves that ease in like a quiet fog and leave a lasting impression.
Accolades for the new CD and songs therein are already mounting, including an ASCAP PLUS AWARD, Finalist honors in the Suwannee Springfest Song Contest (FL), Wildflower Arts Festival (TX), Just Plain Folks Awards (CA), Mid Atlantic Song Contest (D.C) and The Plowshares Song Contest (PA). The February 2006 National Folk DJ Radio Survey listed HARBOR at #35, tied with a trio of legendary names: Jackson Browne, Pete Seeger, Rodney Crowell.
"Every little recognition for a song, every chance to play at a large festival or showcase feels great. I love to play and want to do it a lot. The validation that you feel when you know that you and the tunes that you made up are getting out there is a big part of what makes me want to write more songs. Besides, it is too late in my life to find another job so I am happy to have the work. I am glad to be out there among the people.”
Plans for 2006 include live shows anywhere with some neon in the window and room to play with what Minor Seventh Magazine called: "Berardo's lonesome and clear voice."
Instrumentation
Marc Douglas Berardo-acoustic guitar,vocals.
Sometimes joined by
MDB's SEATRAIL
Prof. Dick Neal-ethereal guitar, dobro (Hoe, DesBerardos, Plexigrass)
Jordan Jance-Bass, Cello (Mickey Dolenz (Monkees), Tommy on Broadway, Journey To The East)
Matt Moadel-Drums, percussion (Val Romas Flamenco Ensemble, Journey To The East)
or The Campaign Trail String Band:
Liam Bailey-fiddle, guitar, vocals (Rodney Atkins, Charolette Kendrick, Corrine West)
Prof. Dick Neal-Dobro, banjo, mandolin
Pete Szymanski-Bass
Steve Combs-Bass
Chris Berardo-percussion, vocals (DesBerardos)
Shows are often solo but can be duo or trio or any combination of the five players.
Discography
Harbor (Munga Music June 2007)
As You Make Your Way (2003)
Second Chance (2000)
Further On Tomorrow (1999)
Links
| http://www.MarcDouglas.com |