The diverse music scene of St. Louis provided a lucrative
and versatile music scene in which to develop as a musician. There were many
sources to draw upon to cultivate a varied musical background, and Mark
continues to work hard at becoming a well-rounded musician.
A professional drumming career began while in high school, subbing on various
gigs for his very in-demand drumset teacher, Steve Davis (Lynne Arriale Trio,
Bill Evans, John Patitucci). This led to a variety of work playing jazz and
contemporary music in the thriving St. Louis music scene, with such notable
musicians as Peter and Jim Mayer (Jimmy Buffet) and bassist Steve Kirby
(Elvin Jones).
While still attending high school under the direction of outstanding band director Christopher Becker, Mark also played in
Webster University's top jazz combo with saxophonist Todd Williams (Wynton
Marsalis) and again with bassist Steve Kirby. Two summer jazz camps were also attended during high school at UMKC and Eastman Conservatory of Music.
Awards received during this
time are the John Phillips Sousa Band Award, the Louis Armstrong Jazz
Award, and several NAJE Outstanding Musician Awards
from the many jazz band competitions. Elected band president his senior year of
high school, Mark was also chosen as first-chair tympani in the Missouri
All-State Band.
After a series of moves and playing numerous
corporate and youth events across the U.S., the trek to Nashville was made
at a very early age. Four months later, auditioning and getting the job with
Bebe & Cece Winans
served in further getting established into the music industry. The world tour
spanned as far as Siberia, Russia and was a catalyst that helped lead to many
other tours.
Whitney Houston joined in the band for numerous shows on the tour, and was a featured artist on the Christmas Tour, in which Mark also played for her. A notable show on the tour was at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles.....on that show Whitney, Bobby Brown, Stevie Wonder, Take6, and Gerald Albright all joined performing with the band throughout the night.
Mark continues to tour and do session work for a wide variety of artists, plays daily on Nashville Broadway, and is
also involved in music
production and songwriting. He has co-written two #1 songs on the CHR radio
charts, as well as a Dove Award nominated song.
Notable Career Highlights
- Bebe & CeCe Winans World Tour with special guest Whitney Houston (playing for both)
- BeBe & Cece Winans Christmas Tour, playing for Bebe & Cece, Whitney Houston, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong
- Cissy Houston benefit concert at The Ritz in Chicago, playing for Whitney Houston, Bebe & Cece Winans, Luther Vandross, and Dionne Warwick
- Touring the world, including Russia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France, Ireland, all over England, Mexico, all over Canada, Bahamas, and all states but two
- Touring with country legend Barbara Mandrell until she retired
- The Last Dance, Barbara Mandrell's retirement concert, airing several times on TNN Network
- Playing on the soundtrack of TV movie, Barbara Mandrell: Country's Do-Rite Woman, aired on The Biography Channel
- Recording in the studio with Barbara Mandrell
- Playing the Grand Ole Opry a near 40 times to date, at both The Opry and Ryman Auditorium
- Opening for George Jones for over a year with 'It's Only Make Believe'
- Opening for George Jones at The Ryman Auditorium
- Working in the studio with Adrian Belew (King Crimson/Frank Zappa)
- Playing on TV star legend Jim Nabor's double CD Christmas album, one of his final recordings
- Member of the rock band White Heart
- Played numerous TV shows and Music videos
A variety of live and recording work has followed with several
artists, including:
Aaron Tippin
Aaron Kelly
(American Idol)
Adrian Belew
(King Crimson, Frank Zappa)
Alaskan Pipe Dream
Andy Griggs
Anita Cochran
Annie Moses Band
Anthony Smith
Barbara Mandrell
Bebe & Cece Winans
Bob Carlisle
Cece Winans
Chas Collins
Chris Tomlin
Cissy Houston
CJ Garton
Clara Oman
Cody McCarver
(Confederate Railroad)
Devin Williams
Dionne Warwick
Donald Lawrence
Dottie Peeples
Doug Kershaw
Due West
Eddy Raven
Gabriel Katona
(Rick Springfield, Jefferson Starship, Rare Earth)
Gary Kyle
|
Glen Templeton
Helen Baylor
Hometown News
It's Only Make Believe
Jaci Velasquez
Jill Parr
Jim Nabors
Jimmy Rose
(America's Got Talent)
Jeff Coffin
(Dave Matthews Band)
Jo-el Sonnier
Johnny Lee
John Schneider
(Duke's Of Hazzard)
Kathy Troccoli
Keith Burns
(Trick Pony)
Lila McCann
Lucy Angel
Luther Vandross
Macartney Reinhardt
Mark Chesnutt
Matt Rogers
Max Struthers
Michael Card
Michael English
Michael W. Smith
Melinda Doolittle
(American Idol)
Mouthpiece
Pam Tillis
|
Patrick Bolen
(Missing Persons, Pure Prarie League)
Patti LaBelle
Patti Russo
(Cher, Meatloaf)
Richie Scholl
Saul Zonana
(Ace Frehley, Spin Doctors)
Sarah Darling
Shannon Brown
Stephanie Mills
Susan Ashton
Tammy Cochran
Tiffany
(80's
pop icon)
Tom Baker
Traci Ann Stanley
Tri-City Singers
Tylar Bryant
White Heart
Whitney Houston
and more...
|
For more touring and recording credits, please visit: Live Credits
and Discography.
The diverse music scene of St. Louis provided a lucrative
and versatile music scene in which to develop as a musician. There were many
sources to draw upon to cultivate a varied musical background, and Mark
continues to work hard at becoming a well-rounded musician.