Mark P.

Markis a lifelong singer, songwriter, guitarist, licensed music minister, and former professional rock musician and lead vocalist who has performed in venues from Hollywood to Houston. Mark is a lifelong singer, songwriter and guitarist with a passion for electric blues and songwriting. A skilled public speaker and actor, Mark studied at the University of North Texas where he received the Gaylord/Hughes Acting and Drama Scholarship. In Houston, he trained with Inquest Ministries, a church planting and coaching organization focused primarily on working with lead pastors, music pastors, worship leaders and their teams. With an extensive catalog of original worship music, Mark led the “Heaven's Blue Worship Band,” a contemporary worship project which incorporates various regional artists dedicated to the effort of launching and growing music ministries at churches throughout the Houston area. He led the Christian rock band “Day40”, payed tribute to his love of country music in the "Big Blue Country Band”, and is currently working on a solo album of original worship material entitled "Simply Believe” Mark has been privileged to work with a variety of performing and recording artists, including Grammy nominated sound and recording engineer Robert Wechsler (whose studio credits include Michael Bolton, Earth Wind & Fire, and Jack Ingram). He has written, recorded, and performed with guitarist and Favored Nations Recording Artist Andy Timmons (Danger Danger, Olivia Newton-John), bassist Steve Bailey (Rippingtons, Dizzy Gillispie), drummer Ray Brinker (Maynard Ferguson Band and Jon Butcher) and bassist Mick Mahan (California Transit Authority and Pat Benatar Band). Mark has shared the stage with Christian artists such as Avalon vocalist Greg Long and John Tesh. He has also worked alongside and opened for secular artists such as smooth jazz great Kenny G, Edie Brickell, the late great Bobby Lakind (former percussionist and backing vocalist with The Doobie Brothers), rock artists Head East, Pantera, and Pat Travers, Guitar Hero featured artist Brian Kahanek, country star Ricky Lynn Gregg and legendary rock guitarist Robin Trower. Mark plays Gibson Les Paul electric guitars, Fender American Stratocasters and Telecaster electric guitars, and Norman acoustic guitars. For amplification he relies primarily on Marshall JVM 205 amp heads and 4x12 1960 slant cabinets with Celestion speakers, uses various Crate V-Series combos and Line 6 Pods for smaller venues for many worship settings. His accessories include Fulltone, Dunlop, and Boss effects pedals, Monster and Planet Waves cables, D'Addario strings, and Dunlop picks. Mark plays Vito saxophones, and various keyboards and pianos.