Marwenna Diame
"Marwenna Diame writes songs like Picasso paints, words and melody which flow from her pen, as paint and vision flowed from his brush." ~ Steve Buckley, Former Vice President Artists & Repertoire at Motown Records, Former Merchandising at United Artists Records, Former Manager Artists & Repertoire, Marketing Manager, Sales & Merchandising at EMI/Capitol Records
Marwenna Diame, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was born Gwen Isabella Laidlaw in December 1960 in Dumbarton, Scotland, to Marion and James Laidlaw. Her father passed away in 2018 and her mother passed away in 2020.
Music has always been a part of Marwenna’s Life in one form or another. Her father was a musician and played mandolin and skiffle drums. When she was eight years old, he taught her how to play the guitar. Her grandmother was an accomplished violinist and accordion player, and in the 1920s she was part of the first all-female band in Scotland.
She was named after her two grandmothers. Her maternal grandmother’s name was Marwenna Gwen, so at the age of 21, she changed her name to Marwenna. She recalls that her dad had told her that originally, they were going to name her Marwenna, but decided on the name Gwen at the last minute. She says, just like Saul of Tarsus’ name was changed to Paul once he was converted and became a Christian, she also wanted a new name when she became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
