Mari Cornell

Born in the heart of Nashville Tennessee, Mari Cornell it is no coincidence that at an early age, she established a keen ear for her unique style; having been exposed to exceptional talent such as Chris Stapleton, Michael McDonald and the Wooten Brothers. That seed rooted quickly and was nurtured by an interesting journey of growing up in churches, blues bars, and honky tonks. Mari with her mother moved back home to rural Pennsylvania where Mari learned the value of friends and a good name at eight years old. She recalls spending her weekdays in school, and her weekends traveling in music ministry with her family. Cornell received one of the greatest gifts she was ever given, at age 11; her grandparents given her first guitar. From that moment on, Mari knew exactly how she wanted to spend the rest of her life. By the time Mari became an adult, she and her mother moved to Virginia Beach. That is when she began working as an Attractions Attendant at an arcade in Town Center. A guest purchasing a game card told her about “Live! On Atlantic”. She signed up, auditioned, and inadvertently became a part of something much bigger than herself. After two years of singing on street corners, Mari had the pivotal pleasure of meeting BJ Griffin. And the rest is history.