Biography of Cody Marshall

The name Cody Marshall is synonymous with the words hard work and determination. With more than 50 years of experience as an Entertainer and Recording Artist, he has performed in all 50 states and more than 50 countries. From Concert Halls and Clubs to Corporate Conventions and private functions, he has made his mark with audiences all over the world.

Cody was born Joseph McGovern in East Orange, NJ on January 21, 1946, and shortly after moved to West Orange to a middle-class neighborhood where he met lifelong friends which he still keeps in touch with today. Sports became the focus in that area and Joe exhibited a great deal of natural athletic ability excelling in Football, Basketball and Baseball. Attending Mountain High, a brand-new school which achieved instant success in all sports and compiled a 25-0 undefeated season winning the State Basketball Championship in 1962. The coaches, Ken Murray and Wendy Wear became enduring Mentors and instilled the necessary traits to not only be a winner in sports, but in life.

Upon graduation from High School, Joe was awarded a scholarship to Penn State University to play basketball and was elected Captain of the Nittany Lions in his senior year. However, a lover of music from an early age after seeing Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, knew exactly what he was going to do with his life. A musical group called “The Encores” were formed with some friends and began performing at local clubs, fraternities, and concerts.

Soon after, they were discovered by Joe Renzetti, a well-known Arranger, Producer, and Academy Award winner. “The Encores” became “The Sound Judgment;” released a couple of records and after little success, the college buddies returned home to their respective towns to start their lives and careers.

Joe though, wasn’t done yet with music and followed his friend Joe Renzetti to New York City where he continued his recording career. It was there where he met Jimmy “The Wiz” Wisner, an executive with Columbia records and a well know arranger and producer also. Jimmy suggested a name change and on April 16, 1969, Cody Marshall was born. After several releases on Jimmy’s label with moderate success, Cody longed to perform live again and embarked on a whirlwind career that took him all over the world.

When performing in Atlanta, Cody fell in love with the people and the state of Georgia and moved there shortly after. He currently lives on a 100-acre horse farm in Madison. In recent years, he has concentrated more on his recording career with several albums to his credit and has built a state-of-the-art recording studio on the property. The added dimension of writing and producing music for himself and others has been a wonderful addition to his career.

Cody’s new album ‘The Winds from the Heart” is a collection of songs written by his dear friend and prolific songwriter Jerry Fagan. It takes the listener through a journey of love and loss with the beautiful tracks arranged by another dear friend Matt Duren.