Bass, Vocals

Music has been a part of Mark’s life since before he can remember.  His father conducted the 7th US Army Choir while stationed in Germany and sang and played trumpet in jazz/blues bands on the side.  Mark followed in his father’s footsteps by playing the trumpet throughout elementary and middle school.  He left the trumpet behind and opted for the guitar and bass after hearing Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin for the first time.  He then started to investigate the influences of Jim Hendrix and Jimmy Page which led him to older blues artists like Robert Johnson, Buddy Guy and Albert King.  He played bass for the blues/rock cover band, the Circuit Breakers for four years while in college in Columbus OH.  It was the best part time job he ever had.  The hours were long and it didn’t pay much but the beer was free!  He took some time off from playing bass to move back to the south, start a career and a family.  With that part of his life settled he dove back into music.  Before joining Itchy & the Chiggers, he played bass for five years with the local blues/rock band, Rosedale Rider.  Mark’s influences are many and very diverse but they all have the blues running through them in some way shape or form.  His favorite bass player is John Paul Jones.