Marcus Amaker

Marcus Amaker takes daily naps. He’s a dad, husband, Charleston’s Poet Laureate, an opera librettist, and an Academy of American Poets fellow. In 2024, he was inducted into the S.C. Literary Hall of Fame and included on a list of favorite poets in America by Literary Huband WildSam. He’s published ten books, released 44 albums of electronic music, and three albums with a two-time GRAMMY® Award winner. He’s also the graphic designer of the national bluegrass music journal, No Depression. His work has been recognized by TheLexington Philharmonic, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Washington Post, The GaillardCenter, PBS Newshour, NPR, Button Poetry, Spoleto, American Poets Magazine, The KennedyCenter, and more. His re-written version of “My Country Tis of Thee” was used by the Washington National Opera for President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. His work is on twoGRAMMY®-nominated albums, and he is a member of BMI and the Recording Academy. His original opera, The Weight of Light, debuted in Chicago in 2024.