Ann Marie Calhoun
Encyclopedia
Ann Marie Calhoun is an American violin
ist.
to a "hillbilly
dad", a "documented descendant of Pocahontas
", who plays banjo
, and a "Chinese
mom", who was a classically trained pianist
.
Her brothers play guitar and her sister, Mary Simpson, is also an accomplished bluegrass fiddler.
In 2002, Ann Marie married Brian Calhoun, an acoustic guitar
builder
and co-owner of Rockbridge Guitar Company located in Lexington, Virginia
. They live in Gordonsville, Virginia
.
lessons at the age of three. As she says: "I actually don't remember learning how to play, because I started when I was three. I feel like I've always known." The first "hint of her talent
" came at the age of four when she and her father were watching a Redskins
game on television. After the band
played "Hail to the Redskins
" he suddenly heard it again, only this time on the violin: "She picked it up through her ears, and it came out through her fingers instantly. I knew she had a gift
then."
She began playing bluegrass music
with her siblings in the Simpson Family Band when she was still quite young. As her father states: "When she was 14, I started taking her to the fiddle
contest
s and she won just about every one."
She attended Lake Braddock High School
in Virginia close to Washington, D.C.
As a teenager she was a youth fellow with the National Symphony Orchestra, a program that took her to the Kennedy Center weekly and provided private lessons with the National Symphony Orchestra's violin
ist William Haroutounian. Early on she was conflicted as to what style of music to pursue.
Calhoun attended the University of Virginia
where she double-majored
in Music
and Biology
, graduating in the class of 2001. She also took some pre-medicine required courses. While studying there she shared her bluegrass fiddle talents with Walker's Run
in Charlottesville, Virginia
. From 2001 to 2003 she was part of the bluegrass fusion ensemble Old School Freight Train
. She also takes part in Gary Ruley and Mule Train
with other members of Walker's Run.
Before dedicating herself completely to her musical career, Calhoun taught science and directed the strings
program at the Woodberry Forest School
, in Madison County
, Virginia
. She is "taking a leave from this school to pursue music." She has also been a noted violin and fiddle teacher in both Northern Virginia
and Central Virginia.
for Dave Matthews Band
.
with the North African/American band Kantara which performed Arab-Appalachian music
.
band Jethro Tull
as a guest soloist. She admits: "I had to Google 'Ian Anderson
' when he first contacted me."
's band, Sound Theories. She began a world tour with Steve Vai in June 2007. Ann Marie received a gold sales award for her participation in Steve Vai's "Where the Wild Things Are" DVD. Her performance with Steve Vai on "Now we Run" was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of "Best instrumental rock group performance."
At the 50th Grammy Awards
on February 10, 2008, Mrs. Calhoun was the winner of the "My Grammy Moment" contest and played live with the Foo Fighters
during the broadcast. Said Steve Vai
about her performance at that event: "She should have been the one who had a full performance on the show, because she would have stunned people."
She performed with Ringo Starr
on Larry King Live
, the Craig Ferguson
's The Late Late Show
, and at the Los Angeles
House of Blues
.
In late February 2008, she stepped into the recording studio
with The Hooters
.
In 2008 she performed multiple times as a special guest with the band Switchfoot
.
In 2008 Ann Marie performed multiple times as a special guest with the band Widespread Panic
.
, Josh Groban
, and Aretha Franklin
, at Radio City Music Hall
to celebrate Mandela Day
.
In 2009 she toured as a featured soloist with Yanni
.
In 2009 she performed several times with Bon Jovi
, including a private Christmas time performance at the White House
for President Barack Obama
and his staff.
with Ben Harper
and the Relentless7
on The Daily Show
to promote Starr's new album, Y Not
. She again played with them and Joan Osborne
on January 14, 2010 for a performance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
, in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, in New York City which was recorded for and appeared in 2010 on the PBS
show, Live from the Artists Den
.
Ann Marie collaborated with Hans Zimmer
, as a featured soloist and contributing writer on the film score for the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes
, directed by Guy Ritchie
. The score was nominated for the 2010 Academy Award for Best Score. She also collaborated with Damien Marley to score the documentary “Bouncing Cats,” a film that follows one man’s efforts to use dance to empower youth in war-torn Uganda. She worked with Dave Stewart
(her manager through Stewart's Weapons of Mass Entertainment company), and co-wrote the theme song for the charity Stand Up to Cancer
.
She orchestrated and conducted an arrangement of “I’ll Take It All” for Joss Stone
to be used with Activision
’s James Bond series games.
On May 17, 2010 she premiered as the lead actress, music composer, and official spokesperson for Tim Kring
’s Conspiracy For Good
aka “SPIRA.”
, Dave Stewart
, Joss Stone
, AR Rahman, and Damian Marley
on their debut studio album
.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist.
Personal life
She was born in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
to a "hillbilly
Hillbilly
Hillbilly is a term referring to certain people who dwell in rural, mountainous areas of the United States, primarily Appalachia but also the Ozarks. Owing to its strongly stereotypical connotations, the term is frequently considered derogatory, and so is usually offensive to those Americans of...
dad", a "documented descendant of Pocahontas
Pocahontas
Pocahontas was a Virginia Indian notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She was the daughter of Chief Powhatan, the head of a network of tributary tribal nations in Tidewater Virginia...
", who plays banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, and a "Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
mom", who was a classically trained pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Her brothers play guitar and her sister, Mary Simpson, is also an accomplished bluegrass fiddler.
In 2002, Ann Marie married Brian Calhoun, an acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
builder
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
and co-owner of Rockbridge Guitar Company located in Lexington, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
Lexington is an independent city within the confines of Rockbridge County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 7,042 in 2010. Lexington is about 55 minutes east of the West Virginia border and is about 50 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. It was first settled in 1777.It is home to...
. They live in Gordonsville, Virginia
Gordonsville, Virginia
Gordonsville is a town in Louisa and Orange counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 1,496 at the 2010 census.-History:Nathaniel Gordon purchased in 1787 and in 1794, or possibly earlier, applied for and was granted a license to operate a tavern...
.
Music training
Calhoun began taking violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
lessons at the age of three. As she says: "I actually don't remember learning how to play, because I started when I was three. I feel like I've always known." The first "hint of her talent
Intellectual giftedness
Intellectual giftedness is an intellectual ability significantly higher than average. It is different from a skill, in that skills are learned or acquired behaviors...
" came at the age of four when she and her father were watching a Redskins
Redskins
Redskins may refer to:* Redskin , a controversial term referring to Native Americans* The Washington Redskins, a United States football team* Redskin , a socialist or communist skinhead...
game on television. After the band
Pep band
A pep band is an ensemble of instrumentalists who play at functions or events with the purpose of entertaining and "pepping" up a crowd. Often members of a pep band are a subset of people from a larger ensemble such as a marching band or a concert band. Pep bands are generally associated with...
played "Hail to the Redskins
Hail to the Redskins
Hail to the Redskins is the fight song for the Washington Redskins. It was written sometime between 1937 and 1938 and was performed for the first time as the Official Redskins Fight Song on August 17, 1938...
" he suddenly heard it again, only this time on the violin: "She picked it up through her ears, and it came out through her fingers instantly. I knew she had a gift
Intellectual giftedness
Intellectual giftedness is an intellectual ability significantly higher than average. It is different from a skill, in that skills are learned or acquired behaviors...
then."
She began playing bluegrass music
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
with her siblings in the Simpson Family Band when she was still quite young. As her father states: "When she was 14, I started taking her to the fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
contest
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
s and she won just about every one."
She attended Lake Braddock High School
Lake Braddock Secondary School
Lake Braddock Secondary School is a combined junior-high and high school in Burke, Virginia, United States, administered by Fairfax County Public Schools . It is one of four secondary schools in Fairfax County; the other three are Hayfield, Robinson, and South County.Opened in 1973, Lake Braddock...
in Virginia close to Washington, D.C.
As a teenager she was a youth fellow with the National Symphony Orchestra, a program that took her to the Kennedy Center weekly and provided private lessons with the National Symphony Orchestra's violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist William Haroutounian. Early on she was conflicted as to what style of music to pursue.
Calhoun attended the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
where she double-majored
Academic major
In the United States and Canada, an academic major or major concentration is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits....
in Music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
and Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
, graduating in the class of 2001. She also took some pre-medicine required courses. While studying there she shared her bluegrass fiddle talents with Walker's Run
Walker's Run
Walker's Run is an acoustic bluegrass band based out of Lexington, Virginia who also play New Grass and Jazz music.-History:In 1997 Brennan Gilmore of Lexington, Virginia started gathering musicians from his hometown and the University of Virginia where he was studying international relations...
in Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
. From 2001 to 2003 she was part of the bluegrass fusion ensemble Old School Freight Train
Old School Freight Train
Old School Freight Train is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based band that combines bluegrass, jazz, Latin, and Celtic sounds to create their music.-Successes:...
. She also takes part in Gary Ruley and Mule Train
Gary Ruley and Mule Train
Gary Ruley and Mule Train is an acoustic bluegrass band based in Lexington, Virginia who also play New Grass and Jazz music.-Early:Gary Ruley was born into a musical family in Lexington, Virginia, and first performed publicly at ten. He has performed with his father, Pat Ruley, his brother, Ronald...
with other members of Walker's Run.
Before dedicating herself completely to her musical career, Calhoun taught science and directed the strings
Strings (music)
A string is the vibrating element that produces sound in string instruments, such as the guitar, harp, piano, and members of the violin family. Strings are lengths of a flexible material kept under tension so that they may vibrate freely, but controllably. Strings may be "plain"...
program at the Woodberry Forest School
Woodberry Forest School
Woodberry Forest School is a private, all-male boarding school located in Woodberry Forest, Madison County, Virginia, in the United States. Woodberry's current enrollment is 402. Students come from 28 U.S...
, in Madison County
Madison County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,520 people, 4,739 households, and 3,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 5,239 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. She is "taking a leave from this school to pursue music." She has also been a noted violin and fiddle teacher in both Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
and Central Virginia.
Career
2004
In 2004, she recorded the violins on the album Stand UpStand Up (Dave Matthews Band album)
Stand Up is the sixth album by Dave Matthews Band, released on May 10, 2005. It shares the same name as Jethro Tull's second album and was produced by Mark Batson. It was their fourth straight number one album on the Billboard 200...
for Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
.
2005
In 2005 she toured ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
with the North African/American band Kantara which performed Arab-Appalachian music
Appalachian music
Appalachian music is the traditional music of the region of Appalachia in the Eastern United States. It is derived from various European and African influences, including English ballads, Irish and Scottish traditional music , religious hymns, and African-American blues...
.
2006
In 2006 she was invited to tour with the progressive rockProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
as a guest soloist. She admits: "I had to Google 'Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (musician)
Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
' when he first contacted me."
2007
In 2007 she became a member of Steve VaiSteve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
's band, Sound Theories. She began a world tour with Steve Vai in June 2007. Ann Marie received a gold sales award for her participation in Steve Vai's "Where the Wild Things Are" DVD. Her performance with Steve Vai on "Now we Run" was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of "Best instrumental rock group performance."
2008
50th Grammy Awards
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on February 10, 2008. Kanye West received the most nominations, with eight. Amy Winehouse was the big winner, winning a total of five awards. Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters won Album of the Year,...
on February 10, 2008, Mrs. Calhoun was the winner of the "My Grammy Moment" contest and played live with the Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
during the broadcast. Said Steve Vai
Steve Vai
Steven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
about her performance at that event: "She should have been the one who had a full performance on the show, because she would have stunned people."
She performed with Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
on Larry King Live
Larry King Live
Larry King Live is an American talk show hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly....
, the Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson is a Scottish American television host, stand-up comedian, writer, actor, director, author, and producer. He is the host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, an Emmy Award-nominated, Peabody Award-winning late-night talk show that airs on CBS...
's The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show (CBS TV series)
The Late Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety show on CBS hosted by Craig Ferguson since 2005. It immediately follows Late Show with David Letterman and is produced by Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated...
, and at the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
.
In late February 2008, she stepped into the recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
with The Hooters
The Hooters
The Hooters is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By combining a mix of rock and roll, reggae, ska and folk music, The Hooters first gained major commercial success in the United States in the mid 1980s due to heavy radio and MTV airplay of several songs including "All You...
.
In 2008 she performed multiple times as a special guest with the band Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
.
In 2008 Ann Marie performed multiple times as a special guest with the band Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
.
2009
In 2009 she performed with the First Lady of France Carla BruniCarla Bruni
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is an Italian-French songwriter, singer, actress, and former model...
, Josh Groban
Josh Groban
Joshua Winslow "Josh" Groban is an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and record producer. His four solo albums have been certified at least multi-platinum, and in 2007, he was charted as the number-one best selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records in that country...
, and Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
to celebrate Mandela Day
Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each 18 July . The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010...
.
In 2009 she toured as a featured soloist with Yanni
Yanni
Yanni , born Yiannis Hrysomallis is a Greek self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer who has spent most of his life in the United States.He earned Grammy nominations for his 1992 album, Dare to Dream, and the 1993 follow-up, In My Time...
.
In 2009 she performed several times with Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, including a private Christmas time performance at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
for President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
and his staff.
2010
On January 13, 2010, she performed for Ringo StarrRingo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
with Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
and the Relentless7
Relentless7
Relentless7 is an American rock band formed in 2008 by singer/guitarist Ben Harper. The current members are Harper , Jason Mozersky , Jesse Ingalls , and Jordan Richardson .-History:...
on The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
to promote Starr's new album, Y Not
Y Not
-Reception:Reviews for Y Not were mostly mixed. Review aggregator Metacritic, which assigns a score out of 100 based on critic ratings, rated the album 60 out of 100, based on 11 reviews...
. She again played with them and Joan Osborne
Joan Osborne
Joan Elizabeth Osborne is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her song "One of Us". She has toured with Motown sidemen the Funk Brothers and was featured in the documentary film about them, Standing in the Shadows of Motown.-Biography:Originally from Anchorage, Kentucky, a suburb...
on January 14, 2010 for a performance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
, in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, in New York City which was recorded for and appeared in 2010 on the PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
show, Live from the Artists Den
Live from the Artists Den
Live from the Artists Den is a music television Public-access television program that began airing in 2008 and features recording artists performing in non-traditional settings. Each episode is an hour long and contains interview segments as well as invitation-only performances...
.
Ann Marie collaborated with Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
, as a featured soloist and contributing writer on the film score for the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes (2009 film)
Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 action-mystery film based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film was directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. The screenplay by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon...
, directed by Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie
Guy Stuart Ritchie is an English screenwriter and film maker who directed Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver, RocknRolla and Sherlock Holmes.-Early life:...
. The score was nominated for the 2010 Academy Award for Best Score. She also collaborated with Damien Marley to score the documentary “Bouncing Cats,” a film that follows one man’s efforts to use dance to empower youth in war-torn Uganda. She worked with Dave Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
(her manager through Stewart's Weapons of Mass Entertainment company), and co-wrote the theme song for the charity Stand Up to Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer is a charitable program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation established by media, entertainment and philanthropic leaders who have been affected by cancer. SU2C aims to raise significant funds for translational cancer research through online and televised efforts...
.
She orchestrated and conducted an arrangement of “I’ll Take It All” for Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
to be used with Activision
Activision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
’s James Bond series games.
On May 17, 2010 she premiered as the lead actress, music composer, and official spokesperson for Tim Kring
Tim Kring
Richard Timothy "Tim" Kring is an American screenwriter and television producer, best known for his creation of the television series Strange World, Crossing Jordan, and Heroes.Kring is Jewish...
’s Conspiracy For Good
Conspiracy for good
' is a fictional organisation that is part of an "augmented reality drama" game developed by Heroes creator Tim Kring, funded and technologically-enabled by Nokia and realised by The company P, and over 100 people in production teams in five different countries...
aka “SPIRA.”
2011
Ann Marie played with the rock supergroup SuperHeavy with Mick JaggerMick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart
Dave Stewart may refer to:* Dave Stewart , former pitcher in Major League Baseball and 1989 World Series MVP* David A. Stewart , English musician and record producer best known for his work with Eurythmics...
, Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
, AR Rahman, and Damian Marley
Damian Marley
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
on their debut studio album
SuperHeavy (album)
SuperHeavy is the debut album by the rock supergroup SuperHeavy. The album was recorded at Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles and it was released in September 2011 by A&M Records.-Development:...
.
Recordings
- Dave Stewart "The Blackbird Diaries" Violin, 2011
- IncubusIncubus (band)Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell;...
"If Not Now, When" Violin, 2011 - Stevie NicksStevie NicksStephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
In Your DreamsIn Your Dreams (album)In Your Dreams is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks, released on May 3, 2011 by Reprise Records...
(violin) (string arrangements) 2011 - Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
and NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
"Distant Relatives" violin, 2010 - Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
Y NotY Not-Reception:Reviews for Y Not were mostly mixed. Review aggregator Metacritic, which assigns a score out of 100 based on critic ratings, rated the album 60 out of 100, based on 11 reviews...
{violin} 2010 - Robbie RobertsonRobbie RobertsonRobbie Robertson, OC; is a Canadian singer-songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known for his membership as the guitarist and primary songwriter within The Band. He was ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
How To Become Clairvoyant Violin 2010 - Vusi MahlaselaVusi MahlaselaVusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane is a Sotho South African singer-songwriter.His music is generally described as "African folk". His work was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies...
"Say Africa" Violin 2010 - Where the Wild Things AreWhere the Wild Things Are (Steve Vai album)Where the Wild Things Are is a 2009 album by American guitarist Steve Vai. The album was recorded and filmed at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, MN as part of Vai’s “Sound Theories” world tour. The 2 hour and 40 minute set contains several new tracks and re-orchestrated pieces culled from Vai's...
, Steve VaiSteve VaiSteven Siro "Steve" Vai is a three time Grammy Award-winning American guitarist, songwriter and producer who has sold over 15 million albums. Steve Vai is widely known as a flamboyant guitar virtuoso....
, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. 2009 - Joan Osborne Little Wild OneLittle Wild OneLittle Wild One is the seventh studio album by Joan Osborne released under Saguaro Road Records on September 9, 2008. On this album she was assisted again by producers/writers Rob Hyman, Eric Bazilian and Rick Chertoff who also worked with her on her breakthrough album Relish.The first single was...
(violin) 2008 - The Hooters Both Sides LiveBoth Sides LiveBoth Sides Live is a live album by American rock band The Hooters released in 2008.-Background:Both Sides Live contains 25 tracks recorded live in Philadelphia, with 13 songs being electric songs recorded at the Electric Factory on November 21 & 23, 2007 during the band's traditional Thanksgiving...
(violin) (vocals) 2008 - Dave StewartDavid A. StewartDavid Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
Dave Stewart Songbook, Vol.1 {violin} 2008 - Jethro Tull The Best of Acoustic Jethro TullThe Best of Acoustic Jethro TullThe Best of Acoustic is a greatest hits album by Jethro Tull. It includes some of the band's biggest acoustic hits from 1969 to the present day.-Track listing:#"Fat Man" - 2:51#"Life Is A Long Song" - 3:18#"Cheap Day Return" - 1:22...
{violin} 2007 - The Eclectic Bluegrass Collection, Various Artists, fiddle 2006
- Live at the Troubadour, Volume I, Gary Ruley and Mule TrainGary Ruley and Mule TrainGary Ruley and Mule Train is an acoustic bluegrass band based in Lexington, Virginia who also play New Grass and Jazz music.-Early:Gary Ruley was born into a musical family in Lexington, Virginia, and first performed publicly at ten. He has performed with his father, Pat Ruley, his brother, Ronald...
, fiddle. 2005 - Live at the Troubadour, Volume II, Gary Ruley and Mule Train, fiddle. 2005
- Stand UpStand Up (Dave Matthews Band album)Stand Up is the sixth album by Dave Matthews Band, released on May 10, 2005. It shares the same name as Jethro Tull's second album and was produced by Mark Batson. It was their fourth straight number one album on the Billboard 200...
Dave Matthews BandDave Matthews BandDave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
(violin), RCARCARCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
, ASIN: B00082ZSP2. 2005 - Pickin' on Wilco: Casino Side, Old School Freight TrainOld School Freight TrainOld School Freight Train is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based band that combines bluegrass, jazz, Latin, and Celtic sounds to create their music.-Successes:...
, fiddle, 2004. - Old School Freight Train, Old School Freight TrainOld School Freight TrainOld School Freight Train is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based band that combines bluegrass, jazz, Latin, and Celtic sounds to create their music.-Successes:...
, fiddle, 2002. - Gary Ruley and Mule TrainGary Ruley and Mule TrainGary Ruley and Mule Train is an acoustic bluegrass band based in Lexington, Virginia who also play New Grass and Jazz music.-Early:Gary Ruley was born into a musical family in Lexington, Virginia, and first performed publicly at ten. He has performed with his father, Pat Ruley, his brother, Ronald...
, Gary Ruley, fiddle. 2002
Articles, reviews, interviews, etc.
- Assar, Vijith, "FACETIME - Jethro lull: Local gal all over the place", The Hook, April 26, 2007.
- Barnes, Lindsay, "FACETIME - Calhoun's coup: Local violinist shines at the Grammys", The Hook, February 2, 2008.
- Calhoun, Ann Marie, "Last Look: Starving Artist", University of Virginia Arts and Science Magazine, February 17, 2006.
- Fiddler's Grove Ole Time Fiddler's Contest, 1999 winners.
- "Interview with ANN-MARIE CALHOUN", Let It Rock, October 2006.
- St. George, Donna, "A Shining Moment In Grammy Spotlight: Talent Took N.Va. Violinist to 'Music's Biggest Night'", The Washington PostThe Washington PostThe Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, Thursday, February 14, 2008
Further reading
- "Is it a fiddle or a violin?", Orange County Review inSIDErOrange County ReviewThe Orange County Review is a weekly newspaper based in Orange, Virginia owned by Media General. The newspaper focuses on local community news. Public notices from the county commissioners also appear in the newspaper....
, Orange, VirginiaOrange, VirginiaOrange is a town in Orange County, Virginia, United States. The population was 4,721 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Orange County...
, June 7, 2007
External links
- Official website
- Musician's MySpace page
- Musician's blog
- Gary Ruley official website/discography
- [ Ann Marie Calhoun] at Allmusic
- Rockbridge Guitar Company