Maria Long profile picture

Maria Long

When God sees you He sees something AMAZING!

About Me


THE REASON I DO THIS!
In a society where talking about God is quickly becoming a thing of the past, Maria Long brings a different approach. She is up front about what she believes and will share with anyone who asks. Her lyrics are personal and vulnerable about her experiences and struggles with God. They are clear because Maria never wants people to be mistaken about where she stands. “Christ is everything to me!” she states. She views her music ministry as more than just an opportunity to perform the songs that God has given her. She believes that God has given her these musical talents to speak out on issues that are affecting teens today like: suicide, sex, drugs, and lack of purpose. Through powerful testimonies and sharing the stories behind her songs, Maria gives her audience a meaningful experience that they can all relate with, and challenges them to STANDOUT for God.
Music has always been a huge influence in Maria’s life. During her childhood years her parents were in a traveling singing group and toured all over the US. At age 2 Maria wrote her first song. She has performed on countless stages for many church events and programs. Her passion for making music that speaks to the heart came early in her life when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior at age 12. In high school Maria traveled around Texas as a singing recruiter. Then when she attended SWAU in Texas she traveled to youth conferences, retreats, high schools, camps, campmeetings, and churches all over the U.S. sharing God and music with many teens her age. In her Junior year in college, she decided to become a student missionary on a tiny island called Yap. She taught 6th and 7th grades that year and found a new passion for her life in addition to music. It was there that she made the decision to become a teacher.
After getting her degree in Elementary Education, Maria became a teacher and found her career very fulfilling. During her time as a teacher, in addition to teaching a full load, she also taught guitar and choir for grades K-10, and still found time to write and perform Christian music throughout Arkansas and Texas. After three years in Arkansas, God led her into a public high school ministry position for Andrews University in Michigan. Maria spent her time traveling and performing throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She also established “The Basement”, a weekly public high school ministry in Berrien Springs and then began to train and mentor teens in starting their own ministries. After being told by teens over and over that she needed to make a CD and that her music meant so much to them, she realized that God was telling her to move forward with her music ministry.
Maria recorded her debut album Here With Me in the summer of 2006 and released it October 14, 2006 at the Attic Christian Rock Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For this album, she found her songwriting inspiration in various places. Some of her songs originated with time that she spent with God in His Word. Others were written through personal struggles she was dealing with. “In Love” was a song that came when Maria was just overwhelmed by God and His Amazing presence. “Here With Me” and “Inside” were written because of experiences that she has had ministering to teens from “The Basement” who were struggling.
It is this kind of personal touch that is the trademark of Maria’s music and ministry. Through Myspace.com, she ministers to hundreds of teens and answers questions of those who are having difficult times or are simply seeking someone who cares to give spiritual advice. Maria Long has a bright future ahead of her. She says often, “God is blessing me faster than I can give Him credit.” God is opening many doors for Maria’s music, her life, and ministry and as long as He continues to open them she will step through…
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/22/2006
Band Website: marialong.com
Band Members: UNDERGROUND SOUND CD in stores MAY 27th - I am on it! PLEASE ADD THEM AS A FRIEND BY CLICKING ON THE CD COVER!!! ;)
UNDERGROUND SOUND CD Underground Sound
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ROCK THE LIGHT TOUR & FESTIVAL!
CHECK OUT OUR NEW VIDEO FOR INSIDE!

INSIDE ACOUSTIC VIDEO LIVE & UNCUT
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Influences:JENNIFER KNAPP!! :), Sarah Mclachlin, Allison Krauss, Jewel, Alanis Morrissette, Sheryl Crow, PARAMORE, John Mayer, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Nichole Nordeman, Avalon (Jana Long), Colbie Caillat, Avril Lavigne, NEVERTHELESSS :), RED, Heart, Vicky Beeching, Relient K, GARAGE VOICE :), Coldplay, Switchfoot, Starfield, Barlowgirl, Superchick, Casting Crowns, Depeche Mode, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Bon Jovi, Indie Arie, Shania Twain, Amy Lee of Evanescence, Ginny Owens, Michelle Branch, Imogen Heap, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Chicago, Erasure
Sounds Like: Jennifer Knapp, Amy Lee, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, ummm me...
Record Label: booking contact: [email protected]
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Underground Sound National CD Release May 27th :)

Hey guys, :)I'm super excited to share this journey with you all! You all have been soo supportive from the day i joined myspace and it's really cool to see how you all have helped me to get my music ...
Posted by Maria Long on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:26:00 PST

STANDOUT in MICHIGAN

Ok soooo i finally made it home and man oh man i'm completely sleep deprived and should totally be in bed but i had to write this blog about STANDOUT first....Me & the band left at midnight to head up...
Posted by Maria Long on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:44:00 PST

CCM MAGAZINE & me... :)

Hey guys, :)i thought this would be a good way to let u know the new happenings in my life.... I just want to share some news with u guys so u can see how God is working and how my music is getting ou...
Posted by Maria Long on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:59:00 PST

Graduations :)

So it seems lately that my life has been filled with graduations... Probably because I was a teacher for the past 5 years... :) I've had one every night this week and the kindergarten class i taught ...
Posted by Maria Long on Thu, 24 May 2007 09:00:00 PST

Your Prayers Requests

Hey guys, :)So lately it seems a lot of people I care about have been hit very hard with struggles! I am definitely someone that prays ALOT but even I am having trouble keeping up with everyone.... I ...
Posted by Maria Long on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:46:00 PST

Campmeetings Rock!!!!

Dude I had the best time at all the campmeetings!!! Indiana was first and I really had a blast hanging with all the teens especially Tyler, Amanda, and Becky... :) Malcolm helped me with music along...
Posted by Maria Long on Sun, 25 Jun 2006 12:32:00 PST