MARK DEREK'S BIOGRAPHY

For many years former ‘Decca’ recording artiste JON DEREK and his renowned band COUNTRY FEVER (which he formed with top guitarist Albert Lee) were one of the finest and most sought after groups of their kind.  Mark recalls being somewhat impressed by the sounds of live music, the bright lights and his father’s popularity and cites those invaluable ‘early years’ growing up backstage, invariably in the company of well-known personalities that his father would often work with, as perhaps the reason why he has always maintained a keen and vibrant interest in music and live performing.  Mark says, 'Apart from MARVIN RAINWATER, who I remember often spending time with us whenever he was on a UK/European tour, it wasn't until some years later that I learned who these other people were!'  

It was at the age of six that Mark recorded his first career highlight when he accompanied his father on a promotional trip to Malta. Following the success of two No.1 singles on this Mediterranean island in the late 70’s, Mark’s father was booked as a residency cabaret act.  Mark recalls singing a couple of songs with him each night and needing to be propped up on a barstool just so that he could reach the microphone!  He remembers being very well received by a series of encouraging audiences.

Throughout his early years, Mark continued to involve himself in his father’s career accompanying him to various clubs and festivals whenever the opportunities arose including, those memorable ‘International Festivals of Country Music’ held each Easter weekend at Wembley Arena where his father would invariably be appearing.  Mark says, ‘I remember showing many early signs of one day following in dad’s footsteps.’

In the summer of 1989, Mark, aged 15, teamed up with some like-minded musician friends and together they decided to form a band.  They entered the forthcoming annual ‘school music competition’.  Required to perform two songs, Mark wrote a song especially for the event entitled ‘She’s The Girl Of My Dreams’ which they performed on the evening along with their rendition of Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B Goode’.  To their delight the local borough’s school’s music inspector awarded them with first place! 

Following the break up of his parent’s marriage, Mark’s father had since relocated to Cambridgeshire following a short-lived stay in north Yorkshire and was touring up and down the British Isles again with his band ‘Country Fever’.  Mark recalls, ‘I took every available opportunity to travel with them to shows and during this period I learnt what life was like ‘on the road.’  Mark was given the chance to demonstrate his vocal talents and gain some invaluable experience of singing in front of a different audience each night.  He would be brought on as a guest artiste to sing two or three songs.  These appearances presented Mark with appreciative reviews in the music press.  Furthermore, during the next few years, he spent countless days in the recording studios where he recorded a number of demonstration tracks…experimenting with different styles and techniques and at the same time gaining hands-on experience in the art of recording and producing.

In 1991, Mark’s father announced that he would be semi-retiring from live performing following his appearance at the last ever ‘International Festival of Country Music’.  Mark recalls, ‘It was great to see dad on the Wembley stage again and really exciting to be backstage in the company of some great names who I got to meet including, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Slim Whitman, George Hamilton IV and The Jordanaires (Elvis Presley’s vocal backing group).’Now into semi-retirement, Mark’s father was subsequently only making rare appearances backed by various established bands.  More experienced and comfortable on stage, Mark would occasionally join him and it wasn’t unusual to see him fronting the band whilst his dad took a break!In the summer of 1995, Mark spent a few days in Switzerland co-writing with an aspiring British songwriter who resided in Geneva.  Mark had previously made a brief visit there two years earlier for meetings, but it was on this occasion that they wrote a song together entitled 'Everybody Knows Me (Like The Mirror On The Wall)'.  The lyrics were based on Mark’s true-life experiences!  Mark returned to London to record the song as part of a promotional CD single and acquired an array of very talented and well-respected musicians for the project who between them had an endless list of credits to their names.

A talented writer, Mark was also reviewing Country & Irish shows and festivals and was a regular contributor to the journal ‘Southern Country Magazine’.  Mark’s natural flair for interviewing and building a good rapport with showbiz personalities was also often demonstrated.  He secured personal interviews with the legendary US Country artiste RICKY SKAGGS prior to a performance at the ‘London Arena’ and with the highly acclaimed Irish entertainer DOMINIC KIRWAN who took time out of a current tour to provide an extensive interview.  Furthermore, Mark has also covered ‘The Daniel O’Donnell Show’ at London’s ‘Royal Albert Hall’ on a number of occasions.

Another medium that Mark has always shown a keen interest in is ‘Radio’.  A career highlight was registered in 2001 when he was invited to the London station ‘Ritz 1035’ and interviewed live on air by the legendary former BBC Radio personality, DAVID ALLAN.  Mark’s fine speaking voice and smooth dulcet tones were also heard on a more regular basis when he went on to present weekly shows for a local ‘Hospital Radio’ station.

Never one to pass by an opportunity to demonstrate his vocal talents, Mark was invited to perform at a long-standing annual open-air charity event held in north London in 2002.  Carefully selecting a number of songs that in his opinion suited his style and voice, he used backing tracks for the first time, as opposed to performing with a band.  The enthusiastic audience loved his performance and his choice of songs!’

A series of very promising and well-received ‘private function’ performances followed that fuelled Mark’s decision to advertise that he was now available as a self-contained solo act.   An agent soon enlisted him and Mark found himself now working the pub and club circuit.  Predominantly recognised as a ‘Country’ vocalist Mark, had by this stage, introduced to his repertoire a number of songs from the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s to make himself more widely appealing. 

In 2003, Mark was delighted to be ‘Southern Country Magazine’s’ front-page feature artiste for the month of February.  To coincide with this, Mark was a guest at that year’s prestigious ‘UK Country Radio Awards’ show sponsored by the magazine and held the same month at 'Lakeside', Frimley Green. 

Towards the end of that year and, due to public demand, Mark decided it was time to record his first professional CD album.  He chose a studio in Norfolk where he carefully compiled an album to demonstrate the style of songs you had come to associate him with.  The CD was completed in the early part of 2004…entitled ‘The Stage Is My World’ it was very well-received and tracks taken from it were soon heard on a number of local BBC Radio stations. 

The work was now pouring in for Mark and in addition to playing the pub and club circuit, he was now being presented with new and exciting career opportunities.  Gaining invaluable experience working a number of towns and cities and a wide range of venues including pubs, clubs, theatres, hotels and holiday parks, Mark was now on the books of several agents and his popularity was also bringing him to the attention of many local promoters and bookers.  Subsequently, a string of notable supports soon followed to a number of well-established names in ‘entertainment’ including 60’s band HERMAN’S HERMITS, THE FOURMOST and VANITY FARE, legendary comedian JIMMY CRICKET and Irish entertainers SUSAN McCANN, BRENDAN SHINE, PHILOMENA BEGLEY, BARRY DOYLE, HELEN McCABE and THE INDIANS SHOWBAND.

In May 2006, Mark was a Saturday morning guest on BBC Radio Norfolk.  Interviewed live on air by stalwart presenter ROY WALLER at the studios in Norwich, they talked about Mark’s involvement, past and present in entertainment and combined this by playing a selection of songs by artistes who have influenced Mark’s career over the years.

Following the sad passing of his mother in August of that year, Mark turned to his profession as a way of overshadowing his loss.  Mark says, ‘My mum was my No.1 fan and critic and my best friend.  She had encouraged and supported me so much over the years and I knew she would continue to be beside me 100% of the way.’

Later that year, Mark turned professional and went on to fast establish himself as one of his region’s finest and most requested entertainers of his kind.  2007 saw Mark notch up 90 shows in his first full year as a professional entertainer and saw him travel to 34 different towns and cities spread across 12 English counties.  2008 proved even better…topping 100 shows!

To date though and, having already performed to audiences in Ireland, Malta and the USA, Mark continues to travel to many parts of the UK as a self-contained solo artiste performing at a wide range of venues.  Carefully crafted, compiled and presented with panache and polish, Mark’s live show comprises a popular blend of Country, 50’s, 60’s & 70’s, predominantly appealing to the more mature audience.  His impressive vocal sound, versatility and warm stage persona are consistently admired in addition to his professionalism and experience.  Totally overwhelmed by the supportive and enthusiastic fan base that has developed and positively going from strength to strength...Mark says, ‘The stage is my world and I can’t think of anywhere else I would rather be!’