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Mark's Bio
As far back as memories take me, I've always loved music. As a kid, I remember my parents listening to Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, and later Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. I actually began to like a few of their old records, and remember playing some of them on our little stereo, listening, while gawking at the Herb Albert "whipped cream" album cover and later, the new "re-whipped" album cover. My dad played guitar and harmonica, and taught me a few songs. I bought my first album "Meet the Beatles" after watching their performance on the Ed Sullivan show. I remember the excited feeling I got while listening to 'I Saw Her Standing There' really loud on my friends big stereo. His mom kept telling him to turn it down, but we just couldn't, until the song was over. From that point on, I knew I wanted music to be a big part of my life. In 1965 my family moved to San Jose. I begged my parents to let me go to see the Beatles at Candlestick Park in 1966, (which turned out to be their last performance in the U.S.), but they told me I was too young. They had heard about "Beatle-mania", and were afraid I'd get trampled or killed.
When I lived in San Jose in the late 60's, my best friend's older brother was in a band and taught us some chords on the guitar. I got my first (crappy) electric guitar when I was 13 and formed my first band at about age 14.
I listened my records, tapes, and the radio constantly, singing along, and was influenced and inspired by the vocals and vocal harmonies of the Beatles, Beach Boys, and Crosby, Stills, & Nash. A few of my favorite lead vocalists are Paul Rogers, Delbert McClinton & Don Henley. Other influences included bands such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Doors, the Kinks, Neil Young, & ZZ Top.
Early blues influences include The Animals, The Rolling Stones, early Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton with the Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos.
I've been lead vocalist (and sometimes rhythm guitarist) in several original and cover bands in the Sacramento area for over 18 years.
I'm a former board member of the Sacramento Blues Society & am have worked with Mick Martin helping him with the production of his popular blues show - 'Mick Martin's Blues Party' which airs every Saturday afternoon from 1:00 - 5:00pm on KXJZ - 90.9 FM.
I've always been interested in the recording aspect of music, and recorded and produced our first CD, "Little by Little" in my home studio. We're concentrating on our next CD at this time and will be writing and recording some originals mixed with more blues/rock, and other covers.
Mere Mortals is the most rewarding music project that I've ever been involved with. I'm enjoying the business and public relations, promoting the band, booking gigs, and meeting lots of great people along the way.
