Dollie Marie Howell Pankey, a Grambling native, is making her mark in the music industry.
D’ Marie, as Pankey is known in the music business, has put together a great soul stiring CD. The “new” voice on the music scene now resides in Birmingham, Ala.
If you love the soulful sounds of India Arie, Roberta Flack and Jill Scott, you’ll love the inspirational sounds of singer/songwriter D’ Marie.
D’ Marie is known for her ability to create memorable moments through presence, word and song-giving voice to the voiceless, bringing healing, motivating worship and drawing people into the loving presence of God.
“A fusion of neo-soul, gospel, jazz, and piano-rich ballads, her new project, H2O (released July 2013) is an inspirational blend of original music that celebrates love’s joys and agonies.
Songs ranging from the neo-soul lament “Something in the Water” to the spirited “Be Glad” to the liberating “I’m Not That Woman Anymore,” have already helped numerous people from different walks of life find healing and strength to love again. The memorable jazz & gospel-tinged vocal stylings, compelling lyrics, and vibrant arrangements.
Pankey believes that this project is a gift from above.
“I have been entrusted with a great gift of music by God, the giver of all good gifts. This project is fruit of that generous gift. It is my desire that these songs will, first of all, be reflections of the beauty, grace, and love of God,” said Pankey.
“Secondly, since the words and music have helped me to heal and to celebrate love in greater fullness, I pray that they will also bless the listeners as they heal and/or as they celebrate love in greater fullness,” explained Pankey.
All of the songs together tell the story of Pankey’s journey since she moved to Birmingham.
“This project began with the song “Something in the Water.” It sprang from a poem I wrote because of my frustration with my work supervisors (who remain my colleagues in other settings) because of belittling behavioral patterns that left me bewildered, disappointed, and trapped in an unhealthy situation,” said Pankey.
“After I finally decided to put this song into recorded form, my songwriting drought ended. I began to have ideas for more and began to sit down to think about what I wanted (and needed) to express. The writing of the project itself and the recording and editing process were my form of “music therapy”-allowing me to find some clarity and emotional healing for myself,” she said.
Pankey said she wrote what she felt, not trying to make it pretty, not trying to make it nice, but she simply wrote from her life.
“I am grateful to my parents (Mary B. Howell and the late Monticello J. Howell) for filling our home and our hearts with the gift of music. Both of them were talented musicians who excelled in their gifts. My siblings and I are the richer for what they imparted to us. Thank you for your example, unfailing support, and encouragement across the years, expressed Pankey.
Pankey graduated from Grambling State University Laboratory High School in 1981 and Grambling State University with a bachelor of science degree in May 1986 (Magna cum laude) with a physics major and minors in music, and mathematics.
She furthered her education at Michigan State University, East Lansing, with a master of arts for Teachers (Mathematics) in 1989. RHEMA Bible Training Center, Broken Arrow, Okla., receiving a diploma in May 1991 in Youth Ministry. Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas: master of arts in Church Music, 1996 and Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth, Texas: master of theological studies, May 2003.