First off, Mark Allan Atwood is the proud recipient the 2010 Texas Music Awards Rising Star Of The Year! Mark Allan is also a loving father, husband, and one of the hardest working singer-songwriters you will ever meet. He is currently based in Burnet, Texas and usually performs about 25 days a month. As the current host for two very different open mike nights in the Texas Hill County, Mark Allan not only gets to showcase his talents but also meets a lot of very good performers.
Mark Allan was born in Ennis, TX, and is the son of a crazy race car driver who listened to old school country and a sweet-voiced transplant from California who helped pay her way through college as the vocalist for a 50’s rock n’ roll outfit and did solo performances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He came by both his insanity and musical talents honestly, though a lot of hard work never hurts! At 18, when that age would still get you into Texas bars legally, he began playing the singer/songwriter hangouts on Lower Greenville Avenue in Dallas, learning from the amazing original artists of that place in time and enjoying a host of legendary venues.
By the mid-80’s he was fronting his own rock bands that played from Dallas, TX to Aspen, CO and everywhere in between, performing many of his own compositions while finding steady work as a rhythm guitarist/background vocalist for several hard working country bands. He rediscovered his love of old school country and enjoyed playing his 70’s outlaw country favorites during this period.
The Texas metal scene of the late 80’s became the perfect invitation to party the night away while wailing through anthemic rock in front of energetic Dallas/Fort Worth crowds who were supporting one of the best rosters of talent in the U.S., second only perhaps to L.A.. By 1988, Mark Allan was fronting the first of two bands that he would tour with for the next several years, Wild Child and Wasteland, gaining statewide and regional acclaim.
As tour support for King’s X, Dokken, Slaughter, Tesla, Great White, Vince Neil and one of his personal heroes Zakk Wylde on two different tours, and garnering airplay in Europe, Russia and stateside with the original composition “Stand” (Atwood/McCarthy - Big Noise Records) and a widely distributed cover of Krokus' legendary “Screaming In The Night” (Storace/Von Arb - Steve Records), his bands played shows in front of thousands of hard rock fans until 1996 when the demands of a family and a changing music scene led to a nine-year absence from performing.
In 2005, at the urging of a couple of old friends and with his desire to write rekindled, he began penning tunes that were reminiscent of his early, folk rock work, but were edgier and more true to his Tejas roots like his favorite Willie/Waylon/Kristofferson tunes from his teen years. Soon after coming back to the stage in early 2006, after opening for Texas music favorites Cooder Graw his eyes opened to a genre and a crowd that was as exciting as the 80’s metal scene had been. He’s been performing for anyone and everyone who wants to listen several times a week ever since.
His new album, titled “How Country” after the country-rock inspired track was released on December 11, 2009 with a very memorable party at Poodie's Hilltop in Spicewood. This is Mark Allan’s first ever full-length release of his own material, despite appearances on numerous compilation albums and well-circulated EP’s from his days with Wasteland. He has been getting increased airplay on the radio as well as entertaining new fans in new venues. 2010 is memorable for Mark Allan not only because of the TMA Rising Star Nomination, but also his new alliance with Tom McAleer's TJM Music Services and the addition of Heath Childs to his band.
With a 12 oz. longneck dose of the party-inspired y’allternative sound that his audience has come to expect and enjoy, “How Country” will delight fans already familiar with his work and catch the ears of folks who enjoy crossing boundaries and genres. His shows are always a great blend of Texas-style country and driving rock and roll. Don't miss him!
“I think Mark has one of the nicest voices in Country.” Dash Crofts, Seals & Crofts
“This is one of the most entertaining releases of the year. There’s something for everyone here, but get your travelin’ shoes on. Once you’ve heard the disc, you’ll stop at nothing until you can catch a live show.” Lucky Boyd, MyTexasMusic.com
“Listened to Mark Allan Atwoods new CD on the way home from the release party last night. Folks, you have to get a copy of this CD in your hands. Seriously, you won't be disappointed. It's one of the best CDs I've listened to this year. Get cha' one.” Fond Kiser, Singer/Songwriter
“Not a CD full of the typical country clichés. Instead it is a fun, rollicking ride through the life of a professional musician who has a great sense of humor and can certainly laugh at himself." Julie Mercier, Live Central Texas Music
"Mark Allan Atwood has been an entertainer for years, and does it show! Even as a solo act, this enigmatic performer pulls the crowd in with some good ol' fashioned, hell-raisin attitude and then knocks 'em flat with his rough edged, passionately delivered ballads. From his arresting choice of covers to his life-stained, gut-blasting originals, he is Honkytonk at it's best." Wade Phillips, Outlaw Magazine
"The Mark Allan Atwood Band is truly a different kind of band. Their exceptional musical abilities make them an act I could not stop listening to. They are a real entertaining band." Scott Bailey, The Ranch in Temple, TX
“In a mere 90 minutes, Mark Allan Atwood singed the Red ‘n Black Picnic stage, and burned his name into the Red River Red Dirt Scene. Since that time, Mark has been writing, recording and producing, “How Country,” a “taking corners on two wheels” journey from the edge of Southern Rock to down home Classic Country, which will certainly be the map that fans his musical ember to a full-on MAA raging fire! Consider yourself warned.” Laurie “Jett Black” Roberts, Kickin’ Country 103.1 FM San Angelo
“You guys are the bona fide real deal. Can't thank you enough for coming out to play in Austin with us. Hope to make something happen again soon.” Eric Rasmussen, Big Bender Records recording artists Old Bull from Los Angeles, CA
|
