A veteran of the Richmond music scene, Mark started playing at a young age after being insulted by a young lady that it seemed (at the time) important to impress. Much toil, tears and years later it is good to see that he still feels there is something he can bring to the musical table in our community.

"You know I was always a fan first. I loved going around and hanging with my friends in their bands and going to their shows. One day this guy throws a guitar in my hands and said, 'here - play this part,' and I was hooked. Took him two days to pry that guitar out of my hands." After taking several years off it's good to see a guitar back in his hands.

The music Mark has played in various acts has spanned the gamut from standards at dinner time to down right 'dirty' blues to Top 40. "For me it started with and always comes back to the blues. What we do now isn't blues but that's where my heart is. Plus - it's the only three chords I know."

Mark's musical influences include Eric Clapton, Foghat, ZZ Top, Allman Brothers Band and "anyone else that knows how to kick up the back beat and turn it up to 11."

When asked about his connection to Eric Clapton and his love of the blues, Mark had this to say: "You know, I get that a lot. Look! I know that Eric didn't invent the blues, but it was through him that 'blues' became accessible. If it hadn't been for dat man right dere, I woulda never gone back and heard the greats like Muddy, Howlin Wolf or Robert Johnson. Man! I could never play like those guys. They were fierce. But hearin' them spoke to me and helped me get to the place that I could express something on this six-stringed beast."

When asked about his latest foray with MT & the D's the 'guitarus thesaurus' said, "It's a blessing. It really is! I can't imagine that there are three other guys that I could have more fun with. Gettin' to go onstage and make music with my three best friends is a pleasure and a privilege. We believe in this! It's our hope that some of the joy we get from playin' these songs will extend to you in the audience. Come on out! Hear it for yourself! Let's have a party!"