Marc Jonathan Haney
Gig Seeker Pro

Marc Jonathan Haney

Band Folk Acoustic

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Ottawa songwriter takes tune to the masses, hometown"

Hartford High School English teacher Marc Haney spent a lot of his summer vacation recording songs for a CD after the senior cast members of the spring play asked him to perform his song, "The 90° Angle" for their commencement.

"It's about ignoring the fear of failure, or any number of excuses that prevent us from acting in a situation and simply doing what we know is the right thing to do, whether it's a big thing or a little thing, whether it gets noticed or not," Haney said.

The song was originally called "Just Because I Know It's Right" and was one that had fallen into the "almost finished" category for a few years until it came together during a family gathering this spring.

Haney's youngest son, Michael, and his wife were getting ready to leave for a three-year Air Force assignment to England. After dinner the family got out their guitars and a few other instruments, sang together and took turns sharing songs they had written.

His middle son, Jonathan, sang a song he had written for his wife when Haney's own song left limbo.

"They both have degrees in math and his song had all kinds of clever mathematical references to his love for her. That's when I changed the song title to "The 90° Angle," he said.

It seemed to be the name the song was waiting for."

Haney wrote and directed the senior play the past two years at Hartford in east-central Kansas, south of Melvern. Before rehearsals, he likes to get out his guitar and play a song the cast can sing along with.

One afternoon the cast asked him to sing a song he had written, so he sang the recently completed "The 90° Angle," he said.

"The seniors in the cast asked me if I would sing it for their commencement, made the arrangements, and I was on the program and very honored that they asked me," Haney said.

"The response to the song reminded me that if I really think my music has something to say to folks, I need to get it out where it can be heard." - Ottawa Herald - Brian Williams


"Hartford Teacher Records His Songs"

After an independent recording career that began in 1975, when independent largely meant "low-budget," singer/songwriter Marc Jonathan Haney continues to write and release his music to a wide range of listeners. He has recently reached a point where it's not entirely a solo effort; at least for one of his songs.

In 2005, following contact initiated by a nephew, Haney wrote and submitted a song to Advance Publishing, a publisher of character-education books and music. Not only was the song signed, but in December of 2006 Haney was asked by Joey Garza, Advance's record producer, to record the lead vocal on his song "Exactly Who I Am."

Music tracks were recorded in Nashville by Grammy Award winning musician Brian Green. Haney's vocal tracks were recorded at Sound Trek Studio in Kansas City, Missouri. A children's chorus added backing vocals at Advance's studio in Houston. "Exactly Who I Am" is scheduled to be the theme song for the book "The Richest Poor Kid." The release date for that CD is unknown and Marc is patiently waiting for the finished product; waiting patiently but not idly.

Haney, who teaches English and directs the annual senior high play at Hartford High School spent much of this past June and July recording songs for a CD called "The 90° Angle," which has just been released on Haney's own Plains Label.

Motivation to record this project came when Haney was asked by seniors in the cast of last year's play to perform his song, "The 90° Angle" for the Hartford High Commencement last May.

It was an honor to be asked and the response to the song reminded me that if I really think my music has something to say to folks, I need to get it out where it can be heard.

Haney's CD is available at live performances, from Dive In Movie Music, P.O. Box 83, Ottawa, Kansas 66067 and can be downloaded at DigStation.com.


- The Gazette, Emporia, Kansas


"Coasters frozen in time"

Well, surely the Coasters are fifties-frozen. They came to Ottawa Municipal Auditorium Saturday night . . .

. . . Marc Haney did the warmup for the Coasters on two hours notice. He sang a half dozen songs, including several that he wrote, accompanying himself on guitar.

The song that particularly tickled the audience's funny bone was "Franklin County Kansas," which he wrote about a year ago and performed in public for the first time. - The Ottawa Herald


"Earthlings"

In addition to being a superb musician and songwriter, Marc Jonathan Haney is also a classroom teacher who writes musical gifts for each year's class. This recording contains five such gifts including the outstanding opener, "This Song's for You." The other songs dedicated to his students are "Dream Class," "Can't Go Back," "The Year We Had," and "Time to Move You On." Haney's vocals are similar to John Hiatt and Randy Newman, and the song styles are reminiscent of John McCutcheon. Haney plays all instruments and sings both lead and backing vocals with great success. Other songs on the recording deal with childhood nostalgia and friendship and may appeal to grownups more than kids. Teachers might want to play these songs as gifts for their own students or use them as blueprints for their original creations. The general public will simply enjoy the wonderful melodies and musicianship. - Rob Reid, University of Wisconsin-eau Claire/Indianhead Federated Library System - School Library Journal


"Honest to God and Down to earth"

Folk music may be on a resurgence, but every indicator suggests that Haney has been writing and playing his funny, insightful acoustic guitar songs since the early 70's. "Honest to God," subtitled "Songs from the Journey" spans from that early time to the near present, as Haney's skill with a song and spiritual life developed. "Down to Earth" finds Haney backed by other players and singers to good effect, but the focus is still these fine songs. At times recalling Jimmy Buffet, early Randy Stonehill and a simpler time in Christian music, Haney will find a down home audience that's been looking for this kinder, gentler music.
Brian Quincy Newcomb - Contemporary Christian Music


"78RPM"

Some poets don't care if no one hears their poetry. One-guitar folk with a distinctly biblical tilt comes from Marc J. Haney's "Honest to God," and he's one lonesome poet who deserves to be heard. - Cornerstone


"Marc Jonathan Haney"

Marc Jonathan Haney, famed Ottawa Middle School sixth-grade instructor, has released his fifth song collection, "Earthlings." The CD is recommended listening for students and families alike. Check out the cut "Fountain of Youth," a touching song inspired by an act of vandalism. P.J Wagner - Lawrence Journal World


"Let Us Go to Bethlehem"

This is not your average traditional Christmas album. None of the songs are old favorite carols. There are no fancy bells or tight string arrangements. Any listeners?

It is the lack of the "Yuletide rut" which makes Marc Haney's album so enjoyable. It's obvious that the usual "Christmas image" was disregarded when Marc and friends went into the studio.

It is possible that "Let Us Go to Bethlehem" will be too different for some. The listener is introduced to some Christmas rock music . . . that's right Christmas rock!

"Shepherd's Song" is done in a fifties bopper style, and the rest of the cuts are a smooth blend of acoustic tunes with short scripture narrations. Side one opens with a baby's cry and from that moment on the listener is given a very personal look at the birth of the Savior and the events surrounding the joyous occasion. Joseph's personality is well developed throughout the record, adding to the feeling of love which the entire piece radiates.

The best thing about this Christmas album is that because of Marc's different approach to presenting our Savior's birth, you can play the record
year 'round without your family and friends thinking you're off your rocker. Michael S. Stacy


- Harmony Magazine


Discography

The 90° Angle (just because I know it's right) - 2008
Speak Less - 2007
The Gospel Came to Coyote County - 2005
Wedlings - 2002
earthlings - 1998
(on cassette)
Against the Grain - 1989
Down to Earth - 1988
honest to God - 1986
Basement Tapes - 1985
(on vinyl)
Let Us Go to Bethlehem - 1975
(Edison wax cylinders - I'm not THAT old!)

Photos

Bio

celebration

in the summer i was Bobby Richardson
Jim Taylor in the fall
i liked the idea of being George
more than Ringo, John or Paul

i tried on Arlo Guthrie
even met him once uptown
my ceaseless babbling amused my wife
who’d never seen me so unwound

Bob Dylan’s weary tune tied my heart
to a golden ringing chord
until i read C.S. Lewis
and heard the lion roar

all these men i thought i’d like to be
each one’s life and work affected me
some caught my eye, my ear and some my mind
influenced my art, my heart and i’ve come to find
that we hold in common a most unique design

a shared image we’ve resembled
since we were first assembled
and by one shared word
we are each defined