Piano Man James - Relief Fund

Donate then download James Marsden & Envoy songs here  

Our brother and friend James Marsden (a.k.a the Piano Man) passed away on April 12, 2018, after years of battling serious and prolonged health challenges and infirmities.  

ENVOY is a Christian music group co-founded by James.  The two surviving  members of ENVOY, Kary Burns and Danny O’Very (who is now a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), together with Deseret Book Company, the publisher of much of ENVOY’s music, want to allow everyone to enjoy ENVOY’s  music to help raise money for the Marsden Family to help with living expenses and  a mountain of  medical bills that have accumulated  over the past 10 years.

ENVOY is offering historic access to most of their music library.  ANY individual who is willing to contribute ANY amount as a donation to the Marsden family through the Piano Man James - Relief Fund, will be allowed to download songs that ENVOY is able to provide without copyright infringement and with permission from the publisher Deseret Book Company.  We are grateful to Deseret Book for being so willing to assist the Marsden family. 

Prior to his passing, James Marsden had been suffering from a number of debilitating illnesses. Spinal Stenosis would lead to the fusing of numerous discs in his back and neck. Fungal infections would lead to the removal of nearly his entire stomach as well as a complete reconfiguration of his gastrointestinal system. Subsequent infections would lead to a complete hearing loss in his left ear, overall physical balance and a dependence upon oxygen. To combat nausea, physicians installed a PICC line that would deliver anti-nausea medication instantly. With a walker, oxygen tank and PICC line, James had become a physical fraction of what he had hoped.
 
Throughout his physical challenges, James remained committed to his faith and family. He had recently completed writing a book and was busy arranging Christmas music for an ENVOY reunion album.

 A Brief History of James Marsden
(1966-2018)

James was born in Cedar City, Utah, to William Kent and Martha Dianne Brown Marsden on April 4, 1966. He grew up in multiple areas across the western U.S. He graduated from Kearns High School in 1984 and LDS Business College in 1993. He served a mission for the LDS church to Columbus, Ohio from 1985-87. He married Angie Buttars on July 26, 1991, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are parents to two beautiful daughters Rachel and Natalie.

James had the most amazing singing voice and was a phenomenal writer and composer. He had a strong belief that his wonderful musical gift came from God. James never had any formal music training and played only by ear. He could hear a song, go to the piano and figure out how to play it within minutes. He could hear and sing harmony and instrumental parts of music with ease. He could transpose music on the spot without even thinking about it. His music touched countless lives.

He was a member of the singing group ENVOY. They released four albums of which he wrote, arranged and produced most of the songs. He composed and produced for many other local and national artists. He was also a staff songwriter for Sony Records. Many who knew him best would easily associate his name with tremendous music. Many referred to him as “The Piano Man”.

James had a huge sweet tooth. Ice cream with chocolate syrup and strawberries ran through his veins. He was always looking for any kind of treat and loved Cherry Coke Zero. He would always buy a treat of some sort for himself and whoever was with him, where ever he would go. He also liked to bake and was famous for his cinnamon rolls, maple twists, and crepes. He loved food of all kinds.

James loved the movies! Movies anytime, anywhere! Sometimes two in one day and of course he would have to have something sweet and a Coke to wash it down.

James was a very hard worker, almost to a fault. He would often get intensely focused on what he was working on, he would not return to bed until the morning. He couldn’t shut his mind off, especially when it came to his music.

James didn’t do anything in life halfway. It was always 150%. He was adventurous and a risk taker. He was hard headed and quite determined at times. However, this trait would bring him through his most difficult trials.

He loved to spoil his girls, especially his wife Angie. He would often come home with an armful of gifts and treats. He tried to take Angie on a date each week, so they could spend time together.

James had a heart of gold. He would generously give money and anything he had to others and enjoyed doing it. He would literally give the shirt of his back without even blinking.

He was an inventor and creator and was always excited to find something new. He was a serial entrepreneur. He viewed himself as the idea, big picture, go-to guy. He had the attitude of “Fake it till you make it” and would often stumble through until he figured it out. He always enjoyed having the latest and greatest gadgets and prided himself on being very tech savvy.

Most importantly, James had an unwavering testimony of the gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement. He would often share his testimony with others. Even while in the hospital he could be found talking about the gospel to the hospital staff and others around him. He taught the gospel to many on his LDS mission and throughout his life. He was a devoted and faithful servant to our Heavenly Father. James had a full life, not free from trials, but filled with learning moments, opportunities and growth.

James is survived by his wife Angie, daughter Rachel (Shinji) Ishigaki, Natalie Marsden, parents W. Kent and Dianne Marsden, 5 sisters and 5 brothers. Preceded in death by his sister Linda. James will be greatly missed by all.