My Greatest Love of All
If I remember right, it was the summer of 1985 and I was just a young girl still living behind the iron curtain in Czechoslovakia. Western Pop music was becoming more and more visible to us, communism was beginning to crumble and artists like U2, Michael Jackson and Prince were ruling the airwaves of eastern Europe. Well, 2 things happened that summer that changed my life and led me on this musical journey. First, my oldest brother Freddie, joined a band called AC+ as their bassist and they quickly became famous rock stars in Europe. Watching my big brother touring, recording original material, playing sold out concerts, their music videos being played on TV and having their songs played on the radio had a huge effect his little sister.
And then, on a hot night that summer that I heard the voice of an angel singing out to me on my radio for the very fist time. I had never heard anything so beautiful in all my life. I had to find out who this person was and as it turns out, that angel was Whitney Houston belting out what would be her first smash hit, “The Greatest Love of All”. At that moment, music became MY greatest love of all and Whitney became my musical idol. On that very night, I dreamt of being a pop star and started my journey, but the reality of actually one day being on the big stages in America, recording and performing my own songs still seemed a million miles away.
As beautiful as Czechoslovakia was, it had always been the type of place for which the saying, “the nail that sticks out gets hammered down,” is pretty fitting. Let’s just say that there weren’t many of us walking around with big hair and spandex pants, especially back in the 90’s, and finding people to collaborate with was no easy task.
I found myself in the center of a struggling and very close knit music scene made up of people that were for the most part, much older than I was. This meant that I was often giving assistance loading gear, being a designated driver, or whatever else anyone needed for local musicians who were much further along than I was. Truthfully, I just wanted to hang out and hoped to sing a song or 2 and be heard. I wanted to be in the clubs, hang out with musicians that were more or less rock stars in my eyes, and just soak up the real world of music. I looked up to these musicians and it felt indescribably cool just to be hanging out with them.
Fast forward a decade or so, and while a late bloomer…I never gave up on my dream of writing my own songs, recording, making videos and singing in a band. Our family eventually emigrated and I now call Chicago my home and I have to say I love it. Snowy scenic winters, colorful fall, and hot festive summers and the most amazing food choices anywhere.
The next step in my musical journey was more like Alice’s trip through the rabbit hole, than climbing a Stairway to Heaven. Once I got to America I met many so called “producers”, “promoters” and “agents’….all whom gave me the promise of stardom, riches, romance and glory. I invested so much of myself, my life, my time, my savings into these people, and unfortunately, after several recordings, countless photo shoots, wardrobe buys, makeovers, empty promises, drained of money and confidence, I almost gave up. I learned a valuable and heart hardening lesson that gives credence to the phrase, “All That Glitters is Not Gold”.
On one hand, these experiences almost ended my hopes, but not my dream. Like every bad experience in life there is a silver lining and this journey has a fork in the road that led to a better destination. At the same time that I was trying to become an original artist, I read an ad in the Illinois Entertainer magazine, where female singers were needed for a new all girl pop revue called, “Girls Night Out”. I auditioned, and made it….this was the first time in my life I felt like I belonged, I could let it all loose, dress like my idols; Mariah Caray, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and sing all their great music….but shortly after joining, the band switched gears and decided to exclusively perform 80’s hard rock…I was asked to play keyboards and sing harmonies, and was slowly removed from lead vocals and this was just not my style, it was devastating to say the least, but I felt the need to hang in there and prove myself.
It was then a new bassist joined our band and after several rehearsals, I found out that he performed all over Chicago as a solo guitarist/singer and was looking to rebuild his show. He complimented me on my voice and asked me to sing at an upcoming event with him, a huge dance party, with several hundred people in attendance. I agreed to do it and was so scared…I had never been the feature singer before. Once the show started and I saw all those people, I was re-invigorated, I was finally free to choose the material I loved and focus on developing myself as a singer….shortly after, we formed a music partnership as a duo….“The Romantiques”. I had finally found someone who truly believed in me and pushed me to be my best and shortly after, we expanded to a full band. Now, I am surrounded by great musicians, performing at resorts and casino’s throughout the Midwest.
Together we co-write my new original material, he produces my recording sessions and I am proud to finally have my dreams, aspirations, hopes and fears…and most of all…my inner self captured in music that I can share with the world, as well as, a great group of musicians to deliver my music live on stage for all of you to enjoy.
Looking back across all these experiences, it was those defining moments: seeing big brother Freddie on stage and hearing Whitney Houston on the radio for the first time, that defined me and gave me that feeling that I crave to this day when I step on stage, or in front of a microphone at the studio.
I’ve learned another valuable lesson too….never give up on your dreams. When you get knocked down, learn from the experience, get back up, move on, make better choices and be grateful for the people that come into your life.
When it comes to BEING a musician, theres a lot of things that make it a unique experience. It’s knowing the rest stops along the I-80 and I-55 Interstates by memory because you’ve toured that stretch of the country so many times. It’s hanging out backstage and wait for the headliner to finish their set, so you can get paid and make the long drive home. It’s the camaraderie you feel with your band mates, and it’s a million other little subtle experiences that define what it means to be a musician. At least that’s the way it’s been for me. It’s not the chords or the words or the number of albums sold, but rather it’s knowing those things first hand that makes me a musician, and has helped make my dreams become a reality.
But perhaps even more importantly than all of that, it’s YOU, the listener, that makes all of it matter.
I look forward to many more sometimes-hard, sometimes-ugly, but always-worthwhile experiences along this musical journey. Here’s to hoping that you are part of that experience.
If you’d like to hear the most recent milestone of that journey, click here to listen to my most new single, ‘Let’s Get it Started’.
Thank you for being a listener and for making it all matter.
ok just keep up the good work love dave xx
David,
Thank you for the compliment.
Hugs,
Maria
Thank you David, I really appreciate you visiting the site and taking the time to read my posts. Please take a look at the Music Store Page…my next single is on pre-sale. Hopefully you can give it a listen and buy it, and pass the word along to all your colleagues to do the same.
Talk Soon,
Maria
Hello Maria love is the greatest gift of all gifts I know we just met but I love you yes I liked it I enjoyed talking to you hugs and kisses sincerely yours Harold
You have an amazing talent and a beautiful person. A gracious spirit and loving heart. You put your all into what you do. That makes you a great spirit and talent. God bless you and yours Maria. You have a friend in me!
Allan Kruszka.
Hi Allan, my producer Ron told me all about you. Thank you so much for your interest in my music. I’m so grateful that you will be playing “Let’s get it Started” on Sunday night on your show. Im looking forward to meeting you for our interview too. I told all my Family in Slovakia, and everyone will be tuning in Sunday night.email me anytime you like.
Maria
Love you Maria and I wish you the best in hour future. Keep smiling.
nice music a fan forever
Hi Nile,
Glad you like the music. Please take a listen to my newest song, it’s only $1.00 and you can hear a preview of it before you buy. http://www.MariaHerz.com/album
Hugs,
Maria
Great music. Very talented. I put your songs into my current playlist and like them very much. Keep going.
Steve,
Thank you so much….please share them with your family and friends…and if you can…visit my site http://www.MariaHerz.com and check out all the blog posts and videos recently posted. Also, please try to buy my newest song, “Let’s Get it Started” for just $1.00 at http://www.mariaherz.com/album
Maria
Thankyou for your background and your determination, yes you stuck it through the hard times, but got the benefits at the emd, ill look up your early bands, girls night out, and the romanliques to see if theres any footage,so thankyou for your story and your music
Good Morning Charles,
the Girls Night Out band changed their name to GLAM, but I’m no longer a part of it, but this is where I met my current producer, he was the bassist. We currnently perform in the Romantiques and you can get footage and information on their facebook page. You can go to my main page, http://www.MariaHerz.com and scroll down and click on the Romantiques banner/link…or simply go to http://www.facebook.com/theromantiques. We are performing Friday at the Blue Chip Casino in Indiana 10:30PM
My new song, “Let’s Get it Started” is being released Friday and is only $1.00 you can buy it at my site by clicking on the “Music Store” link in the Menu, or here at: http://www.MariaHerz.com/Album
Thank you so much for being part of my music career
Maria
God I love ur songs very much ur voice makes my heart sing when I here ur voice
Thanks Mark
Really enjoyed bitter sweet
Thank you Lee,
Each song is a bit different, my earlier songs were a little darker, but my new producer and I are focusing on more brighter and happy material. Feeling good is the name of the game!!
If you get a chance, please hit the “Music Store” link in the menu, and for just a buck….you can buy me new release “Let’s Get it Started”.
Maria
You have it all Maria – enjoy xxx
Do you send autograph pictures
Yes Ray, I do. Email me at the contact page with details and I will send one.
Maria
Keep doing what you love. Xxx
I hope to be a part of that experience as well Maria, that is your sometimes hard, sometimes ugly, but always worthwhile musical journey
hey maria i read your blog i rely like your music and you are very beautiful and have a great voice very senual glad i found about you
Hi Jim,
Thank you for the compliments.
Maria