Maggie Cocco

I grew up on that old time rock and roll. My father, a trained jazz guitarist and classic rocker, introduced me to artists like The Beatles, The Eagles, Elton John, Billy Joel, Steve Miller Band, The Rolling Stones, Pat Benatar, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Styx, Eric Clapton, Queen, and Aerosmith. My mom favored Motown and singer-songwriters and introduced me to the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Rare Earth, The Supremes, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. The list goes on. I had a wealth of diverse music from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s at my disposal growing up, and I soaked it up like a sponge. As we all like to do, I imitated singers and song styles like it was my job – not always successfully, but it was the beginning of my music education.

I loved the music I grew up with and I knew it well! In my later teens, my curiosity became focused on two new very natural areas for any teenage girl: boys and the music they liked! Suddenly, I found myself listening to Tool, Alice in Chains, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, The Scorpions, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Dream Theater, Guns n’ Roses, Pantera, and Metallica. A whole new world of musical ideas and thoughts opened up to me. I loved this music too… Then, I was also introduced to bands like City in Color, Shinedown, and Jack Johnson. I love this music as well! Needless to say, that while the relationships with the boys didn’t last, the impact of the music they introduced me to will last a lifetime!

The next stop on my musical journey was college and the campus of Oakland University. Holy classical music! Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Purcell, Cage, Argento, Berg, Whitacre…What beasts! I became totally immersed in classical music. But, when I was at home (and not studying!) I would spend every waking moment thinking about my life events and writing – poems, lyrics and music. I was stressed and exhausted from the rigors of school – and where did I turn to recharge myself? Music. Music that was just…me.

After graduation, at age 22, I had the opportunity to go to Nashville and spend quality time in the studio with some really cool musicians included the likes of Leon Medica; Jeff LeBar; Eric Brittingham, Mark Jordon, Larry Goad; Randy Leago and others. These folks really helped me define my style and started me on the path to development. Then, I went to Baton Rouge and work with the great people at PreSonus Audio Team and record my first album with producer/guitarist Jim Odom, Bassist – Roland Gueirin, Percussionist – Tim Courville, Saxophonist – John Bastenelli, Guitarist – Mike Zito and so many other great people. An amazing opportunity!

Today, I have a great live backing band called Creative Conscience that includes – Nic Cocco, Will Cyprian, Todd Allen Jernagin, Derrick Brent, Ami McLenon, Connor Williams as well as sound and video by Charles Kennedy.

From the time I was old enough to feel the music, music has been my passion. I have written many poems, songs and music. So there you have it! A musical history of Maggie from birth to present…with many more chapters to come!