Bus Officer by Day, Rock Star by Night

Photo By Sgt. Audrequez Evans | Brent Marx, a DODea bus transportation officer, shares his album cover titled "You're the Light". Marx has been donating the proceeds to the National Wounded Warriors Association. Photo courtesy of Brent Marx.  

HOHENFELS , BY, GERMANY

10.08.2019

Story by Spc. Audrequez Evans 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

Transport Officer by Day Rock Star by Night

"I'll know when the light comes on," the veteran said, standing in the same studio that many legends set foot in before him. "The light went on, and all of a sudden it just popped into me and I started singing."

Brent Marx, a Department of Defense Education Activity transportation officer, in Hohenfels, Germany, reflected upon how he ended up at Abbey Road after a lifetime of writing his own music and performing in various locations around Germany during and after his military career. Marx says his interest in music began around the age of eight with television shows like the “Grand Ole Opry,” inspiring him.

"I had seen performers playing the guitar. I really liked it. I had this old beat-up guitar, so I'd practice by putting my fingers were I seen their fingers were at. It was all just self-taught," he recalled.

The self-taught guitarist would eventually get to perform with some of the popular artists of his time.

"Rick[y] Nelson was at our county fair one year. I was only about 16 years old, and I got called up," he said, remembering. “That was the first time I was on a stage singing."

Just before his enlistment in the U.S. Army in the early ‘80s, the Washington native shared the stage with “Angel of the Morning” singer, Merilee Rush.

"I went to a little cocktail bar, and Merilee Rush was playing there, and I got to go on stage and sing for a small crowd it was a fun experience,"

During his tenure in the Army, Marx persevered and found ways to get some practice time in.

"Being a soldier, you don't get much free time," he said.

At his first duty station, he had his parents mail his guitar over to him. And in his spare time, he would immerse himself in his music, often writing songs in his book.

"I just kept practicing. I didn't want to get rid of it; I didn't want to let that go because it was one of my passions," said the veteran.

In 2001, Marx retired from his final duty station in Hohenfels and remained in Germany with his wife. He soon began working for DoDEA. In his free time, he plays and performs for his friends. Last November, his friends invited him out to London for Thanksgiving. During his visit, his wife surprised him by scoring some recording time at Abbey Road Studios.

“I've always wanted to go to Abbey Road,” said Marx “I’d love to say, I've been there,
done that, and recorded a song in Abbey Road Studios.”

Within five hours, he recorded 12 songs, two of which were his own originals.

“You Are the Light” the title and single on his debut album. This single was written nearly 20 years ago, while Marx was serving in the Army.

"My wife was the inspiration for that song because, without her, I wouldn't have the light."

Through networking, Marx was able to get the album officially produced and even have a few music videos to go with it. His album released in June 2019 and is available to purchase on platforms such as Amazon and Apple.

"I don't do it for money I do it for fun," he said.

He uses his acknowledgment of self through music as a real-life application to continue to put soldiers first. 50% of his sales are donated to The National Wounded Warriors to help service members. So far, he has raised just over 700 euros to support the wounded warriors through the sale of his album; stating that it’s about doing what you love and helping the soldiers

• Date Taken: 10.08.2019
• Date Posted: 10.10.2019 20:57
• Story ID: 346928
• Location: HOHENFELS , BY, DE
• Hometown: SEATTLE, WA, US