Out singer Marcus Terell was a featured performer at the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality rally Oct. 22.
A newcomer to Chicago, Terell has performed on cruise ships, reality shows and music venues for 10 years. Terell is also heading into the studio to record his first EP "Get Up!" in the coming weeks.
Marcus Terell and The Serenades will also be performing on New Year's Eve at The Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida and they are currently in rehearsals for an evening of burlesque using elements from the musicals Moulin Rouge and Chicago.
He spoke to Windy City Times about his life, music career and love of food.
Windy City Times: You just returned from performing on a cruise. What was that like? This wasn't your first time performing at sea. How long have you worked for Royal Caribbean International?
Marcus Terell: It was great. Marcus Terell and the Serenades has been performing on cruise ships for about a year and a half and this was the first time I ventured off on my own.
WCT: You're new to Chicago. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to move here? What discoveries have you made since moving here?
MT: I grew up in Kansas City, Mo., and I've been in Chicago for about six months. I really like Kansas City and it's a great place to grow up but I think Chicago offers a little more variety, culture and diversity. I actually lived in Los Angeles for four and a half years prior to moving to Chicago. I was looking for a place that was a happy medium between Los Angeles and Kansas City and I found that here in Chicago, plus I love the Midwestern hospitality of the city.
I love to eat. Inside this skinny body is a fat boy at heart so my favorite places are about restaurants and eating. I like Ann Sather and Yolk a lot. Aside from that, one of the coolest experiences for me is seeing Prince perform at the fantastic City Winery.
I also went to my first Pride Parade this past summer right after I moved here. I had so much fun and I was stunned to see so many people in attendance.
WCT: Was there a moment when you knew singing would be your career path?
MT: I don't think there was a moment because I feel like I've always known I'd be a singer. I started singing in church from the time I was about 6 or 7 years old. I fell in love with it so much that I didn't want to stop singing. Artistry isn't always easy and there are always ebbs and flows and high and lows and I've realized that there really isn't anything else that I want to do other than sing so I've gotten comfortable with that over the last three or so years.
WCT: How would you describe Marcus Terell and the Serenades to someone who hasn't heard of you before?
MT: That was my biggest struggle in the past because I would tell people that I'm trying to do Motown with a new feel but no one understood that so now I tell people that I see us in the same genre as Bruno Mars.
WCT: You mentioned Bruno Mars. Are there any other musicians or artists who strike your fancy?
MT: Cee-Lo Green, Raphael Saadiq and Kansas City native Janelle Monae. I am obsessed with Beyonce. Growing up in church, my influences were in gospel music and the sound of musicians like BeBe and CeCe Winans. I also love James Brown, Little Richard and Elvis Presley.
WCT: What exactly is Back to Reality?
MT: Back to Reality is the name of my show and it showcases my journey through the ups and downs of reality TV. Even though I'm tired of talking about my reality show experience the interest hasn't died down so I thought I could incorporate all of those experiences into a show that has a storyline, theme and flow.
WCT: You said before that you are a fat boy at heart and love food. Tell me more about that.
MT: I like to eat before I perform. Most singers say that they can't eat before they go onstage but I like to feel full on stage because I want to feel like a big fat Black woman who can sing for days. When I performed in Hairspray in Kansas City, I would literally eat in between acts because how can you perform a two-hour show hungry? Food is always on my mind and I have to have a plan in my head of what I am going to eat before I get out of bed.
I can't sing without gum in my mouth. I don't chew it while I'm singing but I do I hide it under my tongue.
WCT: You've been performing at various Chicago venues, including the benefit to support the March on Springfield for Marriage Equality at the City Winery. Have you made any connections with other musicians? What was it like performing at the March on Springfield and why is it important for you to perform at marriage equality events? What kind of feedback did you get after your performance?
MT: Talking to other singers it's apparent how connected everyone is here in Chicago and working with Stephen Leonard and Sami Grisafe has been really great. I'm really happy to be a part of that community. Stephen, Sami and I performed a song together at the march.
Performing at the march was not only a positive experience, but an empowering one as well. Five years ago, I would've never imagined that I would feel strong enough or confident enough to stand up and represent my community in such a powerful way. The keynote speakers, especially Bishop Carlton Pearson, really struck a chord with me. I grew up in the Black Pentecostal church and often times faced scrutiny because of the lifestyle that I was "choosing" to live. I would continually take on these feelings of guilt and shame which was easy because I wasn't conducting myself in a Godly manner within my lifestyle. It's great to see leaders like Bishop Pearson stand up and show the community there is another way.
I used to be the person that said I don't care about gay marriage. I was in a five-year relationship with someone who wasn't a U.S. citizen and I couldn't provide him with the rights and benefits of marriage under the Constitution. That inability is probably the biggest reason why we aren't together right now and that changed the way I feel about marriage equality so that is why I decided to perform at the benefit and the March on Springfield.
Since the performance, I've had a few people stop me in the streets just to say "good job." I've only been in Chicago for about six months so it's really nice to feel like I'm a part of the community already.
WCT: As an out gay performer do you have any advice for other entertainers who are still closeted? Has being out impacted your career ( negatively or positively )?
MT: I understand that when you are a celebrity or a public figure there is a certain kind of expectation to come out and be an advocate but we shouldn't expect that of celebrities or public figures. I wish there were more Black gay celebrities who were out of the closet but I don't think it's a requirement.
I feel like when we go about our lives and it's not about waving the flag and being in people's faces we can have a positive effect on society although activism is also important.
I performed with an a cappella group in Branson, Mo., for about three and a half months and when I decided to leave the group a woman ticket seller said, 'Great now that that gay guy is leaving I'll sell your tickets.' In that community, I never declared that I was gay so that was an eye-opening experience.
WCT: Is there anything else you want to share with WCT readers?
MT: My life is an open book and, more importantly, I don't have any food allergies.
See www.twitter.com/marcusterell, www.facebook.com/marcusterelltheserenades, and www.youtube.com/marcusterell for more information.
Artemis Singers
winter solstice
concert Dec. 6-7
Artemis Singers, Chicago's lesbian feminist chorus, will present its winter solstice concert, "A Midwinter Night's Journey," at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Ethical Humanist Society, 7574 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie.
The chorus will perform "A Midwinter Night's Journey" on two nights because the group's Jan. 19, 2013, concert at this venue sold out.
Founded in 1980, the 35-member Artemis Singers specializes in music written or arranged by women.
Tickets for "A Midwinter Night's Journey" are a suggested donation of $15 in advance and $20 at the door for adults. Tickets for seniors age 65 and older and for children age 12 and younger are a suggested donation of $10. Visit artemismidwinter.brownpapertickets.com .
Chicago Dragons' 'Miss Ruck-n-Maul' Nov. 16
The local gay rugby team The Chicago Dragons will hold its annual drag-show fundraiser, "Miss Ruck-n-Maul," Saturday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted St.
The Dragons aim to raise money to get to Sydney, Australia, to participate in the 2014 Bingham Cup.
Tickets are $20 and include two drink tickets; purchase at the door or online at rucknmaul2013.bpt.me.
