LHS Student Laney Marks Chases Her Dream

As the summer of 2017 is drawing to a close, memories will quickly fade as Friday night football, homework, tests and everyday school activities resume. For one aspiring vocalist/musician, this summer will not be soon forgotten. 16 year old, Laney Marks a Junior at LaFayette High School had several memorable performances this summer – performing at Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN, sharing the line up with local artists and performing at the First Annual Honeybee Festival, attending a local Rock Camp and writing an original song that was performed at the Revelry Room, were a few exciting events for Laney this year. The one event that will always be the highlight of 2017 was the opportunity to live her dream and share the big stage with her favorite Band, Set It Off at the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta, GA on July 14th. The lead singer and front man, Cody Carson, introduced Laney to the crowd of approximately 1,000 fans by saying, “We are Set It Off. And if there’s something we believe in it is Dreamers. I want to introduce a dreamer to our stage right now, it’s Laney Marks from the beautiful state of Georgia…” He handed off the mic to Laney to sing “Never Know” from the bands most recent album, Upside Down. A positive song about taking chances and “going for it” if you don’t, you will never know the outcome and to appreciate the people who remained supportive through it all.

Set It Off is an American Rock Band originally from Tampa, FL. The band just celebrated 9 years together July 25th of this year. The members of the band are Cody Carson – Vocals, Dan Clermont – Guitar, Maxx Danziger – Drums, Zach DeWall – Guitar. Laney has been a huge fan of the band for a few years. She had the opportunity to meet Cody Carson for the first time at a songwriting class at Warped Tour in Atlanta June 2016. She talked to him after the class and told him how much their music has helped her during some difficult times. 

In the fall of 2016, Set it Off was the headlining act on tour and Laney attended their concert in Birmingham, AL. After the concert she mustered up the courage to ask Cody if he would listen to her sing. He responded, “Absolutely!” After Cody and the band had talked with all their fans, Laney sang him a few lines. He seemed to like what he was hearing, offered some encouraging words, coaching tips, and his email address for additional coaching sessions via skype when he returned back home to L.A. from tour.

During one of the coaching sessions Laney mentioned to Cody that she would like to open for them with her own band someday but in the meantime would love to sing with them. Cody responded with, “Hell yeah!” She just needed to let him know what concert she would be attending and he would make it happen.  Once the concert date in Atlanta was announced, Laney knew that was her opportunity being the closest concert on the tour.  Laney emailed Cody and plans were made. It seemed to take forever for the concert date to finally arrive.

The night of the concert, the Tour Manager took Laney back stage before the concert and she was able to hang out with the band before their set. Witnessing the activity “behind the scenes” before the show was exciting. The guys were extremely nice and made her feel like part of the band. She did some vocal warmups with Cody and she talked with the rest of the band members about their summer. It didn’t take long for Laney to realize she had found her calling. She sent a text her mom from side stage that said, “I WANT TO DO THIS THE REST OF MY LIFE!!”

When asked, “What about performing with Set It Off made you realize that performing is your career goal”? Laney replied, “The way it felt on the stage with all of those people….amazing!” She also said, “This experience made me more confident.”  Other highlights of the night for Laney included a shoutout from Cody on his snapchat story and being asked for her autograph from a few fans. All of the members of the band wrote a message to her on a band shirt to commemorate the event.

Laney wants everyone to know that all the members of Set It Off are “sweet, down to earth people and they genuinely care about everyone”. She added, “I also want all the members of Set It Off to know that I am extremely grateful they allowed me to sing one of their songs with them and I appreciate all their support. It was the best night and I will never forget it.”

Go ‘like’ and follow Laney Marks Music on Facebook to see upcoming performances or to see more pictures and posts from the concert with Set It Off. If you would like to book Laney for an upcoming event, you can contact her through her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LaneyMarksMusic/

or email laneymarksmusic@comcast.net

Laney is currently looking to form a band and start reaching for her goal to tour and hopefully fulfill the dream of touring with Set It Off. If you are a local musician interested in forming a band with Laney email laneymarksmusic@comcast.net or send a direct message on her Facebook page.