As far back as I can remember I’ve loved music, singing and just being around it. My grandmother and her family all sang and played the guitar, piano, and organ. That was how they’d pass time back then. They all would sing beautiful harmonies. There was a natural ability in them for music. My great aunt and uncle had a little Sunday afternoon radio program in Ponka City, Oklahoma in the 1940’s called “Turn Your Radio On.” Their influence was passed on to me.
I came from a family of six kids. My mother could sing anything, but was too busy raising all us kids to pursue music. My dad was a truck driver who also loved music. He really liked Mother Maybelle Carter and that old style of picking! I guess his influence of what he liked stuck with me ’cause that’s what I like myself. Besides my mom and dad’s love for music and always having it playing, my mom would take us to all the gospel singings that came to town which encouraged me even more.
I’d learn the songs and have mini concerts in my living room for my mom. She always encouraged me. In my early teens my grandmother and I made a trip to Oklahoma from Kansas to sing with my great aunt & uncle. Looking back I can see how all this encouraged my music.
I began singing in jr. high school chorus and girls' ensembles, then at church. After high school I was part of a local gospel group. We traveled many places singing at prisons, boys & girls homes, rodeos, on the Christian riverboat, at the Christian supper club, weddings and churches, and many other venues. For several years I sang on a worship team. Working with a team of people, doing different parts and styles of music was a great experience vocally.
I then became part of a local Opry where we performed different shows, benefits, and tributes. I began doing other shows at this time and was always able to sing gospel songs and share my testimony with many people.
All this has led me to where I am today pursuing my music as a ministry. Releasing my debut album “Heaven’s Got A Well” has been such an answer to prayer for me. "Heaven’s Got A Well" is now playing on several radio stations in several states. My desire is to be all I can for the Lord and go wherever he leads with my music touching lives in a special way thru the message of my songs. The reward of singing is being able to follow my heart's dream, accomplishing what I was sent to do and knowing that a song has spoken to some one's heart and if lost will find Salvation through Christ.
Marla
Hobbies and Interests
When not out singing, I enjoy being with my husband Daryl. We have three girls Shanna , Heidi and Erika all out of the home now. We both have large families and enjoy being with them when possible. Besides family my interests are horses, we have two and I love to ride and work with them. I enjoy spending time out in the barn, cleaning stalls or whatever. I can just to be out there. Also I enjoy my flower gardens I find it very relaxing to be out in them. My favorite Bible verse is Eph 3:20. It’s great to know that God can do all things far above what we could ever hope!
Originally from Kansas, now residing in the Nashville area, singer/songwriter and Independent Artist Marla Ratliff delivers her debut album "Heaven's Got A Well", the first of many more to come!
Recorded and produced in Nashville, the 11 songs all tell a story of encouragement in difficult times, moments away from the Lord - songs that also inspire memories of special occasions in life.
"Heaven's Got A Well" will strengthen and encourage your faith during those difficult times of life. This song has encouraged me so many times I knew it would help so many others.
From songs like "He Rescued Me" which let you know that when you're away from God in the mighty pits of sin, He's there along side you and will rescue you - to songs like "King Of The Last Frontier" written by a Texan with cowboy style lyrics. I really related to them and was sure that many others would too.
"Old Time Religion", "Coat of Many Colors" and "Keep On The Sunny Side" will be sure to warm your heart and bring back fond memories of times past.
I always knew I had a call on my life ever since I received Christ at an early age. I began singing in Jr. High and pursued it diligently at times. There were also times when circumstances just didn't allow it, but I always sang to some extent with that strong passion still lingering in my heart.
With that call on my life and my heart being for the rural communities, but not limiting myself to where God may lead me, I made my move from Kansas to Tennessee to further my ministry. After marrying my husband in 1998, God began to put something really strong in both our hearts. We both have an awesome testimony of all the Lord has done for us, and all he has brought us through and how he has brought us together.
Having grown up just blocks apart from one another, but not knowing one another, our lives crossed paths many times. We finally found each other, had everything in common, including the Love of God. That's how we started out; we would meet halfway, sit and talk in the church parking lot just about every evening. It didn't take long before we figured out there was something taking place in our hearts. We married, thought we were going to raise cattle together and share our farm and hearts however we could for the Lord. Of course, I was still singing here and there as things came up, but not actively pursuing it at that time.
Until unsettledness came over us that wouldn't quit. Well, no one thought we would ever sell our cattle, but we began to consider the possibilities. Feeling such a strong call in our hearts to give all to the Lord and go on the road to sing and share our testimonies, we headed to Branson, MO. I have a sister and a very close friend who live there. However, after several months, we realized God did use that to start some things, but it ended up not being the area for us. We both felt strong about that. So my husband Daryl & I felt we should go to Tennessee. It just made sense.
If we're gonna do music, let's go where the music is. Everything just pointed that way, and kept pointing that way. After several months and many obstacles along the way, we had times of confusion and Satan trying to hinder us, but you can just expect that, especially anytime God has called you. We just followed our hearts and God's leading, and every time Satan would bring something, God always gave something to encourage us. Our devotion, the message at church on Sunday, a radio program, a word from a friend - even strangers - always provided something to encourage us to move on. So we did sell our cattle, but we kept our two quarter horses Reno and Cody, our heeler Ringo and our kitty Mela.
Thru another miracle, we found our home just perfect for us, bought it, however we hadn't sold our home in Kansas. It got a little scary, so I got several of the girls praying. I prayed, "Lord, please help it to sell before I ever have to make a payment on both homes." Guess what? Just before we made the first payment on our new home, the home in Kansas sold! Praise God! Sometimes while alone praying, I'd question "Is this faith or are we foolish?" Yet deep in our hearts we knew, and again he confirmed his leading. Stepping out in faith and not being in your comfort zone can be a scary place at times. But, it is the most rewarding thing that you can do; to Trust Jesus.
I'm so thankful I accepted him as a little girl, when I was 6 years old. He gave me a talent that I could use to express and share his love thru music and proclaim his word. That's what this is all about - "Him", not us. He's done everything possible for us. He died for us. We are so grateful and we've surrendered our lives to Him, so Praise God we're looking forward to the months and years ahead and all he has for us. And, for all the people we've met and been able to share with, along with the ones we're going to meet, we're very excited!
With Love and Prayers, Heavenly Trails to All,
Daryl & Marla Ratliff.
