Mark McGuinn
Mark McGuinn is a common man with uncommon talents. He owns a poets heart, a philosophers mind, a storytellers silver tongue and the soul of a master songwriter. He knows the world is painted in more subtle shades than black and white and his songs capture the joy, pain, love and innate humanity found in the gray areas. He delves into complex emotional territory with a simplicity that often belies the craft that goes into his compositions. What makes this North Carolina native so special though is his panache for delivering thought-provoking songs with deliriously infectious and catchy melodies. The perfect example is his breakthrough Top 5 country single, "Mrs. Steven Rudy".
It was a song that dominated the airwaves and introduced country fans to the distinctive charms of the format's most eclectic new star. When he followed it up with the achingly poignant hit ballad She Doesnt Dance, it became apparent that country music had a new hitmaker with style and substance.
Just as McGuinns career was kicking into overdrive the unthinkable happened. His record label went out of business. Tied up with legal issues, he wasnt able to release music for several years. You cant, however, keep a great songwriter off the charts. So while he took a breather as a performer, he kept his writing chops in tip-top shape by penning the Lonestar hit Unusually Unusual.
When it came time to get back in the studio and record a new album, Marks maverick spirit exerted itself againafter careful consideration he made the decision to launch his own record label, Blue Flamingo Records. He co-found the label with veteran music publisher and songwriter Jim Foster (Meet In The Middle by Diamond Rio, Refried Dreams by Tim McGraw).
McGuinns latest album, One Man's Crazy, is an organic mix of country, pop, jazz and rock. It expounds upon the sounds found on his debut disc.
This album is more me, its similar to the last that in its eclectic, but its much more eclectic than the first recordings, says McGuinn, who co-produced the album and co-wrote all but one of the songs. I got a chance to play guitars, mandolins, and piano. Thats the major difference between this record and previous ones.
The new album is filled with songs of uncommon depth and intelligencetwo hallmarks of his distinct style. Its a showcase of a writer at the top of his game.
The emotional centerpiece of the album is current single More Beautiful Today. McGuinn and his band were on the west coast when the attacks of 9/11 took place. They watched the last commercial airplane land after the attacks. It was a moment of breathtaking beauty and unexpected serenity in the aftermath of unthinkable devastation. In the days that followed on the long trek back to Nashville in a rental car, McGuinn was able to find a sense of hope and put down in song a tender ode to Americas unbreakable spirit.
Throughout the rest of the album, McGuinn follows his muse wherever she fliesfrom straightforward modern country to jazz-infused folk. The one common thread is excellent songwriting.
One Man's Crazy is the title cut and its a song that says things about you and meabout us as humans, says Mark. We don't have to be alike or enjoy the same things and that's ok. Just be who you are. Its a way of saying one mans trash is another mans treasure, except in human terms.
Themes of life and its experiences are abundant throughout his current work. There are songs of love and loss, one of which is his duet with Georgette Jones (the only child of Tammy Wynette and George Jones). Their simple, haunting rendition of "Better a Painful Ending" echo traditional country break-up songs. "We Could Be" showcases McGuinn's versatility as he solos on the trumpet, the first instrument he ever learned to play.
He says, This one is mellow and jazzy and I get to play horn on it. Its a nod to an earlier era of songwriting that I love. I've written quite a number of songs in this style. I guess torchlight is what you'd call it.
One song in particular, Deep, has a special place in his heart. Its a song about embracing the deeper values that define a life well lived. Its a philosophy he wants to pass on.
This is more what people who call themselves traditionalist would consider a traditional country song with traditional instrumentation (except for the goat hooves), McGuinn. If there is one song I've ever written that I want my little one to take to heart its this one.
Marks never been afraid to push the boundaries as songwriter and performer. On this album he pushes the envelope sonically with Trampoline while still delivering a positive message.
This song is a little more hard edged in production style. It is a message of hope. No matter where we come from or what trials we endure, find something and believe in it with all your heart. Youve got to find the thing that lifts you up, your trampoline.
McGuinn was born and raised in Greensboro, NC and attended Appalachian State University where he played soccer while he pursued a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Mark says his most memorable experiences playing soccer were, Preparing for the season. I loved the little things like perfecting my skills; working out and feeling myself get into shape. Its a lot like the routine that you go through for performing and writing songs.
While it would have been easy to vanish along with his label 4 years ago, Mark McGuinn chose to take his experiences and meld them into his music, composing, performing, and producing a CD as engaging as his debut, but more musically complex and mature. Indeed, it is a reflection of the man and artist he has since become.
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