Artist Information

Instrumentation
Mary Fakhoury, vocalist, songwriter

Biography
Mary Fakhoury is a multi-talented vocalist and print model whose 2003 debut album, About Me, helped her gain new listeners as she soothed others with her singing of 1940 Classics, Contemporary, Jazz and Pop Rock ballads. Her music is a delightful and interesting mixture of her love of the diversity of music. Her performances have been received by audiences in Chicago, New Jersey and Cleveland, where she performed at The Beat Kitchen, Mexicali Blues, Hard Rock Café, the Penny Road Pub and Fitzgerald’s to packed houses of musical listeners who were serenaded by her unique and full voice.

Not only talented in the musical area, Mary Fakhoury, is a recent Master’s Degree of Education and currently teaches full time in the Chicago area. She is also a print and commercial model represented by a number of agencies such as BMG Models, and Lily’s Talent Agency in Chicago.

Coming from a long line of artists from her family, she continues the tradition as she releases her a new album debuting in Early 2006. Mary states her new album will be “a second CD combining the unique sounds I grew up around with modern day pop and rock ballads.” You can visit Mary’s website www.maryfakhoury.com to keep updated on her 2005 Music Tour, Album Updates and Appearances.

Mary Fakhoury resides in Chicago, IL.

What was your childhood like?
My childhood was somewhat normal, I grew up with a father who was a professional singer at age 8, and we always had musicians at our house rehearing all hours of the day. My father also traveled alot doing many singing gigs both internationally and domestically.

You mention in your bio that you come from a long line of artists in your family, who are they and where might we have seen/heard them?
My father is pretty well known throught the middle eastern community, and internatioanally. He is famous within the community.

Did you take lessons for your singing?
I never took music lessons, I believe you are born with a certain sense
of an ear for music that not many people have, its funny because I can hear
a song and know when someone is off pitch or not singing the right note, its
weird. Its a very natural ability. I have taken vocal coaching for 3years,
and with vocal coaching you work on the natural abilities you already have,
for example your breathing and phrasing techniques.

Who were your first musical inspirations?
My first musical inspirations are very unique in their own way. I
incorporate everything from classics that include Billie Holiday, and Helen
Humes, to modern day Madonna each contributes their own unique qualities to
the world of music. I also listen to old style middle eastern singers from
the 40's and 50's as well as the famed french icon Edith Piaf.

What type of music tended to be played in your house while you were growing up?
Growing up we listened to alot of "tarab" which are middle eastern songs that are almost epics in a sense, they tell a story, and some songs can go as long as 45 minutes!

When did you first start writing songs?
I have always been writing since I was about 10, but I really started to write songs and poems when I was 18.

Your first album was released in 2003, how long have you been singing professionally before that?
I never really sang professionally before 2003, my father forbad it. It was bad for a woman to sing? very silly idealism, considering we lived in such a community of hypocrites, I said to myself "am I really going to worry about what these hypocrites think" what am I doing that is so shameful? displaying my musical talents to the world?

When and where was your first gig and how did that go for you?
My very first gig was nerve wrecking, I thought I would faint on stage and I almost did~!

Now, you certainly have the beauty for it, but how did you get involved with modeling?
I have been modeling since I was 18, when I lived in california, I work for three modeling agencies here in chicago that are just great, they always keep me busy!

Was it difficult finding the right agency? How does one find an agency that they can be sure of that is legitimate?
You don't pay to join an agencies, anyone that asks you for money is not legit, the only thing that you pay for are your pictures if the agency requests more professional looking pictures. A legitimate agency takes a percentage of what you make from a job, for example if your doing a commerical that pays you 2000.00 they would get 10% of that fee.

Now, you’re also a teacher, right? What grades do you teach?
I am a renaissance woman for sure! yes I am also a teacher and I teach grades k-12, I just completed my masters degree in education as well.

How long have you been teaching?
I have been a teacher for the past five years, and I must say Its very hard to balance my modeling, singing, and teaching career, but I do!

Are you married at all or have you ever been?
I am not married and I have never been married, but I certainly have kissed enough frogs in my life, now Mr. Right should be right around the corner? Ha Ha

What does the rest of 2006 hold in store for you?
2006 hold many great things for me, I have a new album coming out called "I've Lived two worlds" it has all different styles of music to show my uniqueness, I have a song in arabic that I wrote and sang, as well as a new rendition of "la vie en rose" by edith piaf, I sing in both french and english. As well as a new website coming out as well! many exciting things, and you can find my music everywhere from Walmart to Tower Records. I will keep you posted on future gigs on my website at www.maryfakhoury.com

Any final thoughts/words you’d like to share with our readers?
My final thoughts are: No matter what, follow your heart and you can't go wrong, you only have one life to live! JUST DO IT! take care and God bless! Mary xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Thank you very much for your time today!

Website
http://www.maryfakhoury.com