Mark Wayne Glasmire writes and sings with a depth of understanding that only a dashing, well-traveled troubadour can. It is obvious that he's lived life to the fullest - and taken notes along the way. His newest CD, LIFE GOES ON, is a 12-song disc that includes 10 originals and two outside tunes. Mark's lyrics run the gamut from heartache and jubilation; despair and love, disappointment and hope. His voice is a full-bodied, yet crisp tenor reminiscent at times of an early John Denver or a modern-day Collin Raye, but it is distinct and different - and immediately identifiable. Intriguing and hypnotic melody lines recapture the halcyon days of James Taylor and Pure Prairie League; gentle country ballads are interspersed with mid-tempo odes, but each song carries its own original message. "Most of what I write comes from my own life experience," Mark says from his Arlington, Texas home. "Occasionally, I'll take inspiration from a friend's situation, but mostly my songs reflect what I'm going through."Whether the topic is a new romance (as reflected in the lyrics of "You Opened My Eyes"), or the eternal hope that shines in "Shelter From The Storm," each song is embodied with a whimsical (and often intricate) melody that perfectly supports the song's message. On "Everything Is Gonna Be Alright," the disc's first single release, Glasmire takes on the current negative job and housing markets and gives us hope, reminding us that love and faith will see us through even the hardest times. "I wrote it about a childhood friend of mine who fell on hard times during the first job 'crisis' back in the 90s," Mark says. "It was rough for awhile, but he never quit believing. Now he's the senior vice president at a huge company."
Faith was instilled in Mark at an early age and his first 14 years were filled with church activities. "My mom sang in the choir, and the church was really our whole social life," he adds. In the steel town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Mark grew up with a piano-playing dad who worked up to three jobs at a time to provide for his family. "Dad had a construction company that did a lot of infrastructure work for the city," Glasmire notes. "I worked for him during summers in high school and on into college and after." The company excavated for major projects such as sewer lines; water mains; sidewalks; curbs and more. It was often feast or famine, but his dad never quit. "He passed away in 2007, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him," says Mark, who wrote the CD's "Missing You" in memory of his father.
During the 80s, Mark commuted back and forth from Bethlehem to New York City, landing gigs at such prestigious venues as Folk City, The Speakeasy and The Bottom Line. It was during this hyper-creative period that he self-produced and recorded his first CD, SAD SONGS. Glasmire worked construction by day, but at night he chased the dream - sharing the stage with many well-known acts, such as Tom Paxton, Arlo Guthrie, Tracy Chapman, Suzan Vega and Gordon Lightfoot. He also recorded an EP, THE SUN, THE MOON and THE SEASONS, with three friends, and recalls those years as "eye-opening times."
A mutual friend introduced Glasmire to John Albani (Steve Azar, Monty Holmes, Randy Boudreaux) and suddenly things just "clicked." "It was magical. He's amazing to work with, and is so talented," Mark says of his co-producer on LIFE GOES ON. "John has a way of pulling out the best in me." Their collaboration is already bringing Glasmire accolades, and he's recently shared the stage with Guy Clark and Dierks Bentley. "I know this is my best project to date," says Mark. "And I really believe that this is my moment. I hope my fans agree."
That Nashville Sound- What brought you to music in the first place?
Mark Wayne Glasmire- I have been around music my whole life. Both my parents were singers at the church we attended when I was a kid. I also had two older brothers that were really into music so I had a lot of different influences. The success of the groups like the Beatles were really a big influence as well.
TNS- Describe your music- what's the mission behind the music?
MWG- It has always been difficult for me to pigeon-hole my music. A reviewer from the Dallas Morning News described it the best so far. He said that it is "Pop music steeped in the traditions of Country and Folk. I consider myself a singer/songwriter first. Everything else second. Regarding my mission for my music, I would say that I try to bring a positive message to as many people as possible.
TNS- What might people be surprised to find out about you?
MWG- There are a few things. I am an avid outdoorsman. I like to hike, backpack and mountain climb. I have a family that always comes first. I also made the acoustic guitar that I use whenever I am in the studio.
TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
MWG- I listen to all styles of music, but almost always classic rock. I have everything from Aerosmith to Zepplin. I also like Coldplay, Green Day, U2 etc. I also have a fair amount of audio books on my iPod. I like to listen to books when I am traveling.
TNS- If you had a crystal ball to look forward five years, what would you see?
MWG- I see myself as finally getting my music to the masses. I have a single on Country radio right now and it is slowly climbing the charts. This is my first real attempt at getting on the charts so we shall see how it does, but so far, so good. I expect to be very successful either as a performer or writer.
TNS- Do any of your instruments have any nicknames we need to know of?
MWG- The name of the guitar I made is "the Wayne". I put "Wayne" in pearl on the headstock. You can see a photo of it on my website and on MySpace. I have several guitars, but "the Wayne" is by far my favorite.
No comments:
Post a Comment