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"soulo acoustic groove..."
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. . . recalling a favorite boyhood memory, he says that he would lie between the
rows of a freshly plowed field, the dark, sun-warmed earth to his back, just as the cool
of dusk began to settle over the heartland. Mark Alan's music is rooted in that
place and from time to time, it seems to beckon the solace of some vast
horizon. Growing up between the fertile farmland of southeastern Kansas and the majestic
plains of Colorado, he was only a child when he first heard the sounds that would shape
him - sounds that resonate, even today.
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Always, a radio somewhere - playing Country, Rhythm & Blues or Gospel music. He tells
a story of early mornings, singing with his mother as she moved from room to room, making-up
the beds; of crooning Hank Williams with his Grandfather, while riding the John Deere back
and forth across broad fields of wheat or milo late into the dusk.
There were 'Indian' pow-wows and church choirs singing. At night he would lie awake
listening to the seemingly endless din of cicadas outside his window, a scattered pack of
coyotes roaming in the near distance, yipping at the wail of a passing freight train .
On one particular evening, he and his father watched in awe from the cast blue light
of their living room, while on the television, Ray Charles sang "America the Beautiful"
before a legendary boxing match, a pursed smile and tears of joy in his fathers' eyes.
Mark was the youngest of three sons. While there were formative years in the shadow
of tall cottonwoods and summer-times spent wandering the farm, his parents were among the
first of their families' generations to move away from farming and a rural life.Chasing
the promises of some latter day industrial revolution, this young family
passed briefly through several small towns before settling on the outskirts of Denver.
It was there, in a culturally desolate suburban environment, that Mark would spend the
majority of his adolescence - his saving grace, a small ’record store’ in Boulder, a pair
of headphones and a stack of well-worn LP’s. Listening to Soul, Folk/Rock and Jazz records
served as tutelage and before long he was making a name for himself, establishing a reputation
as an unusually gifted singer/songwriter.
Despite all accolade, he set music aside for a few years in light of some,
"...fatherly advice suggesting a good union job." Mark worked for a large freight
company until, up for a promotion and uninspired, he left to study English at the
University of Northern Colorado. There, he rediscovered his passion in music and soon
thereafter, began performing in venues up and down the front range.
He moved to Eugene, Oregon, just a few years later, where he continues to garner high praise,
performing consistently throughout the northwest, on college campuses and as an opener
for an impressive list of touring artists including While showcasing around the states, his presence has been noted and praised
by industry professionals from L.A. to Nashville, from the "Highland Grounds"
to the famous "Bluebird Cafe". Here's some of what's been said:
"... a refreshing, heartening 'original'. In the vast arena of new
artists he stands out as a gifted singer songwriter, the freshness of
his words and music, the toughness/vulnerability of his voice and
performance are a pleasure to experience." "Mark Alan is a true talent with a true gift - the kind of artist
who deserves the utmost respect. His music is timeless." "Singing with Mark reminds me why I do what I do! He's the real deal
- heart and soul." "... the interplay between his voice and guitar captures the listener's
attention completely; his voice is supple and expressive, never affected
or self-conscious."
"Mark Alan possesses something all too rare among contemporary
singer/songwriter/guitarists: a point of view and a distinctive voice."
"... his writing is full of heart and soul... a live, organic sound
that is a rarity in pop music these days."
"... a momentum-gathering singer-songwriter who commands a
James Taylor-reminiscent ability to single-handedly mesmerize a crowd."
"... a NW music fixture ... few pull off a live solo set with this intimate vigor and conviction."
"Man - you got the pipes!" The inheritance of voice and place makes for a powerful union. Though acoustic in nature,
Mark’s music is strangely expansive - it's original in sound, soulful and groove oriented.
His presence is warm and unpretentious. Here’s someone faithfully
doing what he’s supposed to do. He performs with that conviction night-in and night-out.
When you see him, when you hear him at work, you’ll understand why friends are talking -
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