Marvin Etzioni


Marvin Elan Etzioni is an American singer, mandolinist, bassist, and record producer. Also known as the Mandolin Man, Etzioni is best known as a founder of, and bassist for, the band Lone Justice. He is a noted record producer and has released three solo albums.

Biography

Early years

Etzioni grew up in Brooklyn, then moved to Los Angeles. His grandfather sparked an early interest in country music by compiling mix tapes, and gifting Etzioni a mandolin at age eight. In high school, Etzioni sang and played drums in the band Prudence Goodbody.
In 1976, Etzioni led the band Model, who shared stages with the Plimsouls and the Motels. Model recorded with producers Chuck Plotkin and Richard Baskin, but nothing was officially released. Then in 1980 Etzioni began performed solo acoustic gigs in Los Angeles.

Lone Justice

In 1982, Etzioni met Ryan Hedgecock, who shared his love for country and roots music. Hedgecock was already performing with Maria McKee. Hedgecock and McKee asked Etzioni to back them on bass duties, along with drummer Don Heffington and the band Lone Justice was launched.
Etzioni was a member of Lone Justice from 1983 to 1986, during which he encouraged them to write original material, and contributed the songs "East of Eden," "Working Late," "You Are the Light," and "Soap, Soup and Salvation".
In 1993, Etzioni and Heffington backed McKee on her solo album You Gotta Sin to Get Saved, and were part of her band in the subsequent tour.

Production and songwriting

Etzioni has produced for numerous artists, including Peter Case, Counting Crows, and Toad The Wet Sprocket. Etzioni's compositions have been covered by Cheap Trick, Victoria Williams, Julie Miller and Judy Collins. Etzioni produced and wrote songs with the Williams Brothers. Together with David Williams, Etzioni co-wrote "Can't Cry Hard Enough" which became his most successful song.

Solo recordings

In the 1990s, Etzioni recorded and released three albums: The Mandolin Man, Bone and Weapons Of The Spirit. Etzioni employs the analog-vinyl-digital technique, in which his master tapes are converted first to vinyl, and the vinyl is recorded to digital for the final product.
In 2012, Etzioni released the 2-disc album Marvin Country on Nine Mile Records. On the album, which had been in development since 1985, Etzioni played mandolin, mandocello, guitar, bass, piano, Mellotron, porchboard and keyboards. Included are duets with Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Richard Thompson, Buddy Miller, John Doe., Maria McKee, and the Dixie Hummingbirds. For most songs, the backing band was Heffington, Steve Fishell, Gurf Morlix, Tammy Rogers, and Buddy Miller and Duane Jarvis.

Sin City All Stars

Etzioni was part of the Sin City All Stars was a one- off band for a 2004 Gram Parsons tribute concert that was captured and released on both CD and DVD.

Thee Holy Brothers

Long-time friends Etzioni and Willie Aron collaborated as Thee Holy Brothers, and released the album My Name Is Sparkle on the Peermusic label. Their band name was provided by their rabbi. Nine songs are presented in two acts, addressing the topic of spiritual grace. Thematically, the album has been likened to George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and Pete Townshend’s Who Came First.

Discography

Solo albums