April 27, 2009 - VeroBeach - Some couples make beautiful music together…and so do the eight performing members of the Edden family.

For the past six months, Vero Beach residents Marlene and Roscoe Edden and their six children have been spreading their musical talents across the Treasure Coast, most recently at the Regency Park senior community in Vero Beach on Tuesday nights.

The six children, who sing, dance, play instruments and perform skits in different costumes, range in age from 16 to 4. They include Beautiful, 16; Roscoe Jr., 12; Unique, 8; Light, 6; and twins Miracle and Truth, 4. A seventh child named Jonathan, who is 16 months watches from his stroller but is too young to perform.

“We’ve been doing this for fun about two years, but we didn’t get our first little gig until January.” “We’re just trying to get our name out there and get better known.”

The family has been performing at senior centers, assisted-living facilities, the Ronald McDonald House, group homes, churches and schools from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, locations that Marlene Edden said are ”inspirational” to her.

“One of the most forgotten age groups are the seniors.” she said. “We’re so happy when we can perform for them and bring smiles to their faces.”

Regency Park sales director, Sue Williams, said the senior community often brings in groups to entertain the 170 residents.

The father, Roscoe Edden, 46, a carpenter and handyman, said his family has always loved music and his oldest daughter, Beautiful, started playing the violin when she was 7. Roscoe Jr. started playing cello but quickly switched to the guitar, and now plays a variety of string instruments. Both older children have performed with the Indian River Youth Symphony and the Atlantic Classical Orchestra.

All of the Edden children are home-schooled, allowing the time for both school work and rehearsals during the week.

“The kids really enjoy performing our music,” said Marlene Edden. “It lifts people’s spirits and we find that it’s a blessing to us when people enjoy the music.”

Marlene Edden has big dreams for her family. “I want us to be just like the Jacksons,” said Marlene Edden. “I’d like to go around the world, sharing our music with everyone we meet.” And what do the kids think about performing with mom and dad?

Beautiful said she thinks it’s a really fun thing to do. “I like hanging out with my family,” she said. “The music brings us closer together.”

To book the family or for other information, call (772)299-7077, or e-mail eddens-music@bellsouth.net.

By Janet Begley, Correspondent