Mental Toughness & Music: Danny Marroquin's Film

Guest Author: Laura Reese, OVAC Intern



You might not know who Jabee Williams and John Fullbright are, but you should, and you will, according to Danny Marroquin.  Marroquin’s upcoming film project Skywriters details these two musicians and their lives in and out of music. 

Featured musician John Fullbright (L) with soundman Royce Sharp

John Fullbright is a folk singer and songwriter, whose intensity attracted Marroquin. Fullbright covers standards from greats of different eras and writes his own songs ranging from anthems and tender lullabies to songs protesting war; everything from the folk singer-songwriter tradition. Fullbright’s appreciation for and attempt to take in a whole genre of music is what drew Marroquin to feature him; “he is a student, and I've always held a very high esteem for education.”

Featured musician  Jabee Williams (middle), with cameraman Joe Cappa

In contrast, Jabee Williams is a hip-hop musician from a tough background, having even lost a brother to a gunshot wound. Yet, says Marroquin, “Jabee is constantly drawing from a rugged experience to make sweet music and tough music.” And he also works as a mentor on Wednesdays at Northwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Marroquins says “every time a guy like Jabee comes along he reminds you of how much an impact one can have when they take part in the lives of others.”


As different as these two artists may sound, Marroquin “detected a same mental toughness” in both. Skywriters is an attempt not to contrast them, but rather to reveal the unexpected similarities in their two journeys “ We want to bring the viewer into two other lives as they find meaning through music ” says Marroquin. Marroquin received an OVAC Creative Projects Grant given in order to fund the completion of his film  Skywriters. Check out the trailer and stay posted on where you can see   Skywriters.

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition invests in artists’ project through grants for growing careers, creative projects and exceptional continuing education. The next application deadline is July 15. Find guidelines and application here.