There are artists who make music, and there are those for whom music is a calling, a breath, a reason to exist. Greg Marlow belongs without hesitation to the second category. A native of the mountains of Tennessee, cancer survivor, author, speaker and deeply driven songwriter, he looks back on his journey, his influences, and his goals for 2026 with a sincerity that commands respect. A conversation with a man who never stopped believing.
How did you start making music? What was the trigger that made you pursue it?
G.M. : It seemed I have always been raised around music, my grandparents were musicians, aunts and uncles were singers and musicians. It is just always been a part of my family, growing up in those mountains of East Tennessee. We never had a lot, but the one thing that we were very rich in was music. I had an uncle who was a great singer, and he loved to play his guitar and sing, he and his wife had a little gospel group that traveled around from church to church and every time I would hear them, I was just blown away! It seemed like to me Jack was a superstar and I watched everything he did trying to soak it up. My mother, which was Jack’s sister, is a great singer and I can still remember hearing those harmonies between Jack, my mom and their sister Pat. I’ve never heard anything in my life that sounded like that and I guess I’m still chasing that. Years later, I got the opportunity to form a bluegrass band along with my brother Warren, and that was the beginning of I knew this is what I was supposed to be doing! That was definitely my trigger. Singing was as easy as breathing when it comes to standing and singing with him and writing songs was just a natural progression.
What inspired you to write « Everybody Smiles »? What was the starting point?
G.M. : The inspiration and the story behind the song came from just watching my brother-in-law. My brother-in-law came to live with us about 22 years ago, he is autistic and he has other issues that compound that. He is nonverbal, but is an amazing artist. He was diagnosed as an autistic savant because of his artistic ability and the fact that he has a photographic memory. One day, while noticing his art, the common thing about all of it is the fact that no matter what he draws or paints, everyone, every animal, and even the flowers always have a smile on their face. It dawned on me all of a sudden, that’s the way he sees the world. It hit me like a ton of bricks! The song came from that revelation! Just because I don’t understand him doesn’t make him the slow one, actually it was me that wasn’t getting it until that day. I firmly believe that God don’t make junk! I have learned more about God’s love, mercy, patience, and his grace from Gregory than I have from anyone else.
We heard about your victory over cancer… How did that impact your career, your music, and your inspirations?
G.M. : The cancer was a giant wake-up call not just for my music but life in general. In 2011, I was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the muscles and tissues. The diagnosis was bleak to say the least, I was told I had at least six months to live. After a radical surgery that was performed, I was told there was nothing else they could do so they sent me home to be comfortable, which I found out was code for you can die there instead of here. After a few months passed, they reevaluated my diagnosis and informed me I had about maybe 18 months, but I would never walk again. Within a year I was back on my feet! First, it was a wheelchair, then it was a walker, then crutches, but within that time span, I was once again mobile. It was a long process of healing and believing God wasn’t done with me yet. It also inspired me to start writing music again, this time the songs were different. They were personal, the style had changed, but more than a stylistic change, it was a change in wording. They were more personal, more real life experience and more hopeful. My inspiration became me wanting to share my testimony of what God had done in my life, not only through my words, but also through songs, songs that told a story, had hope and encouragement. We may not always be facing cancer, but we are always facing something that can slow us down, take our focus off our dreams and calling! I wanted to make a difference in those areas.
What is your greatest strength as an artist? And your biggest weakness?
G.M. : I think my greatest strength would be my ability to write music about true life experiences, bringing hope and healing, but being real all at the same time. I guess that was the long way around saying I can communicate with my songwriting. I really do love encouraging folks. My biggest weakness? I can be pretty hard on myself sometimes and when I get focused on something like writing a song or working the music out for it, I can’t rest until I think I’ve got it worked out, to the point of almost exhaustion at times. You would think that that would be an asset, but I don’t think so. I can beat myself up sometimes.
One object you can’t live without in your daily life?
G.M. : That is a hard one, it can go back and forth. I would have to say, though, it would be my Bible and the second thing would be my guitar.My flaw is perfectionism. This project is a monument to Judit, and I constantly fear not doing her memory justice. Letting a track go is incredibly difficult.
The last 3 songs you listened to today, and no cheating!
G.M. : Honestly, the answer to that would be « On My Knees » by the Red Clay Strays. The second song would be « God Did That » by Cody McCarver. And the third would be « Speak His Name » by Van Zant.
A recent news event that marked you more than others?
G.M. : That one is a tough one for me, I just see so much division in the world that it seems like everything, regardless of how big your smile is, seems to just divide us even more and that breaks my heart. I think about my grandmother a lot, she always could find the good in everybody no matter how much bad there seems to be on the surface. I really miss that.
Your favorite social network? Why?
G.M. : I guess the one I’m most familiar with would be Facebook, although I do love YouTube just because so much music is just a click away, but Facebook allows me to connect with so many friends and family and offers the ability for me to share my music, so I am very thankful for that.
What are your goals for 2026 as an artist?
G.M. : That one’s simple, to reach as many people as possible with a positive message of hope and healing. I know for a fact that I’m here for a reason, and that reason is to share not only what God has done for me, but what he can do for others as well.
One last word to end the interview?
G.M. : I am so thankful for every opportunity I get to meet new folks and share my music. My story and I are so grateful for the encouragement and the friendships I have made along the way, and I am looking forward to seeing what God has for me in the future. I have learned to never underestimate and to never be afraid to dream big. To sum it up, I just want to be a blessing.
—
Join Greg Marlow on socials :
English 
Français