Lonnie Mack, Hank Garland, B.B.King, Chet Atkins, Johnny Smith, Hank Marvin, Kenny Burrell, Bill Frisell, Peter Green, Amos Garrett, Pat Metheney, Al Anderson, John Scofield, Robben Ford, Grant Green, Jim Hall,Richard Harding, Steve Swallow, Jimmy Smith, Steve Kuhn, Paul Desmond, Art Farmer, Jaco Pastorius,Tom Hall, Alan Holdsworth, George Duke, James Jamerson,Jimmy McGriff, Grady Tate, Prefab Sprout, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Eric Anderson, Lowell George, Paul Butterfield, Dorothy Ashby,Wes Montgomery, Micheal Garrick, Keith Floyd, Colin Milburn + pages more.
Mark's love of the guitar started, when he heard recordings by Hank Williams , The Everly Brothers and Rick Nelson (with James Burton ). His father encouraged him and bought him his first guitar (a sunburst Framus acoustic) and it soon replaced sport as the most important thing in his life. He left school at fifteen after being offered a job teaching guitar to young students at the Northampton Guitar Studios. listening to many different guitarists, such as Lonnie Mack, Hank Garland, B.B.King, Chet Atkins, Johnny Smith and Hank Marvin. The offer came to join ' Harsh Reality ' a group singned to Phillips records. They made one album ( Heaven & Hell ' ) that dissapeared without trace. The producer of that album ( ' Fritz Fryer ' ) recommended Mark on to other artists and through those connections he was asked to join ' Matthew's Southern Comfort ' . Their MCA recording of Joni Mitchell’s “ Woodstock “ became a world-wide hit reaching number one in the U.K.
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On his first ever U.S.tour, he heard the groundbreaking album ‘ What’s Going On ‘ by Marvin Gaye. The bass parts by the late, great James Jamerson, inspired him to take up the bass . His move to bass, almost eclipsed his guitar playing for the majority of his carrer. He has now rediscovered his interest in the guitar and now splits his playing time between the two
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Since those days, some of the artists Mark has recorded and toured the world with include ....
Al Stewart, The Everly Brothers, Sonny Curtis, Duane Eddy, Mark Knopfler, Zoot Money, David Essex, Sherman Robertson, Tom Hall, Steve Gibbons, Sammy Rimmington, Bonnie Tyler, Mike Berry, Billy Connolly, Deniece Williams, Jeff Lynne, Neil Innes, The Rutles, Debbie Davis, Johnny Boston, John Verity, The Ginger Pigs, Dobie Gray, Willy Russell , Gallagher & Lyle , Nina Hagen , Dennis Loccoriere, Iain Matthews , Peter Frampton, Plainsong and Cliff Richard. Mark has been The Shadows and guitar legend Hank Marvin ‘s regular bassist , for the past fifteen years.
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About three years ago, Mark was recruited by the Sue Ryder Care Charity as Product Development manager for their new range of Ryder Guitars. The guitars have been built in China and based on vintage designs. They are now available. Great value for money and suitable for students and professionals alike. The proceeds from sales, will then fed back into helping with the great work they do in the community. Please check them out at: www.ryderguitars.co.uk
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LATEST ALBUM ' 52 FLORENCE ROAD ' OUT ON N2K/ARC RECORDS
AVAILABLE FROM: www.amazon.co.uk www.itunes.com Or order from N2K, 8 Hornton Place, London, W8 4LZ
Dear Mark, Came just back to the hotel from the concert in Stockholm! Fantastic! I saw you in Malmø and Glasgow (twice) too. Tomorrow it will be Copenhagen and then finnished (for me) in Oslo. A fantastic sound and a great memory to see you with Cliff.
MyHotComments HEY JUST STOPPED BY AND GIVE SOME LOVE!! STOP ON BY AND ChECK OUT THE FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK!! BANDS PREMOTE ON MY SITE IN COMMENTS!! HAVE A KICK ASS JAMIN' DAY!!! THANKS KIM ~ " THE ONLY HOME FOR ROCK & ROLL!!"
HELLO, MARK!!! HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU & YOUR DEAR FAMILY! MISSING ALL OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS IN N'HANTS! PLEASE GIVE MY LOVE TO MARY & TONK & JULES & DEE WHEN YOU SEE THEM!!! MUCH LOVE TO YOU & ALL THE BEST ON YOUR CONTINUING MUSICAL SUCCESSES, AS USUAL, MARK!!! MISSING ALL OF YOU FROM THE GOOD 'OL DAYS!!! DON'T FORGET TO GIVE MY LOVE, ALSO, TO CHRIS & JENNY, JENNIE HALFORD & TONY BARFORD - WHAT A FANTASTIC GUITAR PLAYER FOR A PLUMBER!!!!! HUGS!!! - JEAN JEANIE ^_^ PEACE
Haere mai Mark. Many thanks indeed for your friendship. It is a great pleasure for us. Best wishes to you in all things. Kia ora. Brian The Latter Rain Wellington New Zealand
Hey Mark, Just letting everyone know about the two albums available for free download from my website; http://www. johnbatley. com .Please take the time to check it out and help spread our music.Thanks,JB.
Hi Dad! Just wanted to say a big congrats for the album finally coming out!! Love the backing vocals on Mint Julep......wonder who that could be???!!!! Love you xxx
dear Mark, I just received your new album - it's GREAT! I am very happy that you made an instrumental album - and showing that you are a brilliant lead guitar player as well! Are you going to have any concerts? Best wishes from Norway. Rune
Hi Mark Thanks for adding us to your friends, we have always admired you for the hard work and determination that has been put into your music over the years. Keep up the hard work my friend, take care and speak soon.
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