Craig Marsden started singing at the early age of 4. By the time he was fifteen he found himself fronting his own rock and roll bands as both lead vocalist and lead guitarist. Shortly before graduating from high school, Craig had already backed up the likes of FREDDY CANNON and MARK FARNER (GRAND FUNK) in his hometown of Flint, Michigan.
In 1970, Craig joined the power rock group, SONNY HUGG, which opened for such headliners as TED NUGENT, ALICE COOPER, and BOB SEGER. In the course of the next four years, Craig played and sang in many diversified situations, both performing and recording.
In 1975, Craig toured with Capitol recording group EDWARD BEAR shortly after their hit single, "LASTSONG", sold a million copies in the States. But by the summer of 1976, Craig had decided to move to Los Angeles in pursuit of a recording career.
Throughout 1977-78, he performed original material with his band at The Troubadour; The Improvisation Club (for the LA. Songwriters' showcase), the L.A. Convention Center; the Jerry Lewis Telethon, and others.
In mid-1979, Craig connected up with Bullets Production Company and recorded the theme song for the internationally syndicated cartoon show, "ANGEL. "
In 1980, Craig was a featured vocalist on two cuts of keyboardist Jakob Magnuson's second album, JACK MAGNET, for Warner Bros. This was a jazz fusion album which also featured the likes of FREDDY HUBBARD, STANLEY CLARKE, and BILL CHAMPLAIN of CHICAGO fame.
In 1982, Craig's talents were exposed at the annual MIDEM Festival in France which earned him a single's deal with a French label. The single, "OTHER GIRLS," was released shortly thereafter and made the charts in both France and Germany.
In 1983, Craig took first place in the Music City Song Festival's Vocal Competition for best R & B performance and was first runner up in the MOR division.
In 1984, Craig recorded an album at Excalibre Studios in Studio City for the newly formed ENCORE RECORDS.
Then, in 1990, for the second time, Craig entered the Music City Song Festival, a national competition out of Nashville, this time earning him top honors for "Best Male vocal Performance, " and first place in the MOR/ Adult Contemporary Division.
Since 1991, Craig has been writing and recording in his home studio near Flint, Michigan, while continuing to perform on a regular basis as a one-man-band. During that time, Craig has been the exclusive entertainer in some of the finest restaurants in and around the Flint area. He performed as the house musician at THE SPEAKEASY in Flushing from 1995 to 1998 and at the BEECH TREE in Flint from 1998 to 2000.
Into the new millenium and through 2009, Craig has also performed extensively at the following venues:
- MULDOON'S in Rochester Hills STAN'S DUGOUT in Auburn Hills GARRETTS ON WATER STREET in Boyne City MESQUITE CREEK in Clarkston SPENCER'S FINE FOOD & SPIRITS in Saginaw THE CADILLAC CLUB in Lansing THE FENTON HOTEL in Fenton LEFTYS STEAK HOUSE in Owosso TEE-BONEZ ON THE WATER in Fenton CLEARY'S PUB in Howell THE PIER ON LOBDELL in Linden THE LINDEN HOTEL in Linden THE WHITE HORSE INN in Metamora COMSTOCK INN in Owosso CHIPS PLACE in Owosso ABRUZZOS PIANO GRILLE in Lapeer LENNY MILLERS in Dryden GATSBYS SALOON & EATERY in Bay City GRACIE'S COUNTRY HOUSE in Burt CASTAWAYS in Bay City THE COAST in Saginaw THE OXFORD TAP ROOM in Oxford AND MANY MORE!!!
Craig's extraordinary ability to sing and play everything from Standards to Rock with authenticity and expertise has earned him a well deserved following. And it is the audience and their enjoyment that is CRAIG MARSDEN'S number one priority, whether he is simply providing ambience, or performing a full fledged concert.