Awards and Recognition:
2001 North America Country Music Association Int’l (NACMAI).
Category: New Country

• Horizon Award for Male Vocalist of the Year
• Male Entertainer of the Year
• Instrumentalist of the Year

Television Appearances:
WJHL TV11 Cable Country interview Tim Cable March, 2005
WCYB TV5 noon interview with Johnny Woods, December, 2005
WCYB TV5 noon interview with Johnny Woods, December, 2008

Newspaper Interviews :
Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol, Va.
Feature article March 2005

My Spirit and Background
I perform a “Summer spirited” music on stage for a fun audience and the music helps them remember the fun Summer times in their lives…
Born in Tennessee, yet I spent most of my childhood growing up in California in the area around West Covina where my love for the ocean and Summer music was instilled…
My family moved back to the Tri-Cities, when I was about 11 years old, from then on it was all about focusing my energies as a musician, and singer…with a goal of performing original songs, and sharing my style of music to the listening audience.

The Path Forward…

Soon after winning the NACMAI awards in 2001, Mark changed musical directions and pursued the love of his heart, beach/island music which has taken me to some exciting and exotic places such as Key Colony Beach, Fl, North Miami Beach, Fl, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Myrtle Beach, SC to name a few.. 
He enjoys performing at home here in the Tri-Cities as well, at various Restaurants, marina venues, and private parties for a summer crowd.
The excitement of performing is just as great at home, as it is away…

My Philosophy…

The love I have for tropical/Summer music lies within me, this passion to be at the ocean, with the palm trees, sand, and Sunny climate is what I thrive on. 
If I can convey this spirt to my audience while on stage then I can bring a small bit of fun to their lives.. and let the music take their thoughts away for a moment..then I have done my job…
I enjoy songwriting success in country music as well as current beach and tropical songs.  In my current music project of “Summer/beach songs”..

Music is the Celebration of Life…and all that goes with living it to the fullest. I feel that the music takes me away…to a better place in time.to where my spirit can soar free ….
I really enjoy visiting exciting places, such as: Key West, Fl. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, Montego Bay Jamaica,
And would look forward to the chance to visit California in the future.

Mark’s first CD release effort "All or Not at All,"  was a breakthrough for him as a singer/songwriter, as he wrote all selections, and received recognition as a songwriter, as well as a singer… by the:
North America Country Music Association Int’l (NACMAI).
This CD effort was made possible by close companion and producer
Cheryl A. Brown..

The Road ahead Now…
I am currently devoting much of my time to songwriting and performing at various venues.. In and out of the Tri- cities…with the tentative release of a New Six song CD: Spring 2009, of Original Summer spirited beach songs. Song titles are:
Feet in the sand, Why not today, Rather be at the beach, Your love wont set me free, Can’t get there from here, and Flipflops and barefeet
I have expressed my passion to leave, pull up stakes and go live on an island
And… why not? "Why Not Today,"  
In my searing ballad "Your Love Won't Set Me Free," I utilized a haunting minor chord arrangement, that sets the stage for someone’s past true love that won’t end…although someone new awaits to rescue them….
“Feet in the sand” I wrote based on one of my own experiences in the Key West, and how things can seem so special when in the right geographic location..
Imagine anyone trying to make vacation arrangements and encountering difficulties in doing so.. how fitting “Can’t get there from here”
My inspiration for “Rather be at the beach” came from day to day life, tons of work,
deadlines, commitments..just need a short break..from it all.
“Flipflops and barefeet” is a cool story about a couple driving down A1A to the keys
with the wind in their hair and thoughts of just chilling out, and being yourself…

Charity Events:
Mark is involved in performing for Charity events in the tri-cities such as,
The Salvation Army, Bristol, Tenn.2008, and the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” event June.2009  He has been involved with Greyhound Rescue of
Tennessee. at their featured event: “Beach Bound Hounds 2004” in Myrtle Beach, SC..

Artistic Abilities:
Mark has a deep interest in Art, as an artist he had the opportunity to paint a full color room mural in 2004, in Bristol, Tn. a vista of an Island evening sunset … on all walls and ceiling... for a true lover of the islands, it turned out well and took a tremendous amount of time.. And  left a large portion of inspiration In that painting effort… but one look and it was worth it…
Also painted a full color painting in 2006 of an underwater marine life mural.
Painting for Mark is still another avenue of his talents and creativity to be acknowledged.

A new wave... a New Mark...
You never know where the music will take you next...and you never know what the tide will bring in…with each new day….
As a “Solo musician entertainer” on stage, I enjoy performing a summer style of music, as it comes from my heart and do my best to relay these feelings and emotions to others through the songs so they might enjoy the sound of summer…no matter what the season is…
That is what is meant by my catch phrase:
“The sound of summer all year long”

Someone once asked me in an interview, "Wouldn’t you like to make it big Mark?”
I replied, "If I can play the music I love, and perform at different islands and beaches and be near the ocean…, and have the fans enjoying the spirit of summer music…Then... I have made it."
I enjoy spending quality time with my family… two beautiful and talented daughters, my Mother, and sister and the rest of the gang

I want to thank all the fans and audience whom without, I would not get to do what I love so passionately, sing and play guitar…on stage!

Hope to see you on the next gig, down the road somewhere!

Education:
attended Northeast State Comm. College major in Drafting / Design Technology (Architectural emphasis)
Attended East Tennessee State University