Mark Kerr

Artist Information

Biography

On March 13th 2007 Mark Kerr was inducted into the National Heritage Foundation Blues Hall of Fame. He is the "Ambassador To The Blues" for the state of Louisiana.
www.blueshalloffame.com

Mark Kerr of Greenwood, LA. never found success beyond his grasp. From the age of twelve his course was clear, and from his earliest days in music he has built bridges that have connected him, not to his peers alone, but to the world at large.
Mark picked up the guitar at the age of twelve and before long, he was receiving recognition for his musical abilities. Where as many kids at twelve years of age may be content to watch television or to hang out with others of their own age, Mark had one singularly focused ambition. He wanted to become a musician. And so devoted was he to this pursuit, he would often fall to sleep at night with his guitar "strapped on."

By the time he graduated from high school, he would be rewarded for his ambition. As he tells it, " all of the high school first chair seniors in my state that played an instrument in their jazz band were given a chance to perform before a panel of judges in their instrument class. Given a chance to win these scholarships, I was the only one from my jazz band to win."

Rather than pursuing this scholarship, he became involved in a rock and roll band and started seeing the world. "I really had no interest to keep going to school., I had had enough of that for a while. I was so hungry inside to graduate and get into a road band and start seeing the world and making a living doing it that school was the last thing on my mind. I was ready to start chasing the dream. "
Mark would eventually play with Percy Sledge and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Curtis Mayfield's Impressions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Impressions_(American_band)

After thirteen years of touring, Mark attended Northwestern State University where he studied music theory, while working very diligently on his jazz, blues and rock skills. Mark was nominated for Musician of the Year in 2006 by The Academy of Texas Music, for his guitar work on One Drink Away From The Blues.

Mark was inducted into the National Heritage Foundation Blues Hall of Fame on March 13th 2007. He is the Abassador to the Blues for the state of Louisiana. Mark's CD has been aired on 300 plus radio stations worldwide.
Mark has charted in the top 25 on many of these stations.

Mark finished as the second place winner in the 2007 Unisong International Songwriting Competition. With his title cut, "One Drink Away From The Blues."
http://unisong.com/Winners11.aspx

Mark also finished in the top 1500 in the Billboard World Songwriting Competition.

Mark acheived these great accomplishments as an independent artist. In the short eighteen months since the release of his debut CD One Drink Away From The Blues.
Through hard work, determination and passion.

As Mark tells it, "I want to continue to be a positive influence in the independent arena."
"And a role model for all independents to see. That through hard work and a positive attitude, most anything can be achieved."

Today Mark can say reflecting back, "I no longer drink. I started to see if I was going to be what I wanted to be in the music business as an independent. That there was no longer room for that. A person can go a lot farther with a clean, clear, non-polluted brain than with one."
"The road to success is a long and arduous one, but to steer it effectively, you have to have a clear head. That one drink could be "One Drink Away From The Blues."
http://www.markkerrltd.com

Check out Mark Kerr's Radio show called, "Mark Kerr's Blues Nation. Mark's radio show was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame on June 16, 2007 as a "Great Blues Radio Show."
Mark features and promotes the best in hard hitting indie blues and blues rock bands and artists from around the globe.

Mark Kerr's Blues Nation can be heard at,
www.markkerrltd.com/bluesnation.htm

And every Saturday evening on Kansas City Online Radio from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. CST http://www.kconlineradio.com

Instrumentation

Mark Kerr, Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals

Discography

Debut CD, " One Drink Away From The Blues "
is being played on 300+ radio stations, land based and internet.
1. " Wishin Well "
2. " One Drink Away From The Blues "
3. " Low Down Dirty Shame "

Official Website

http://markkerrltd.com

Audio

• Low Down Dirty Shame
  Listen  
• Thick Side
  Listen  
• One Drink Away From The Blues
  Listen  
• Elevator Love
  Listen  
• Country Side Blues
  Listen  
• Dreamer's Paradise
  Listen  
• Little Miss Feelgood
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Low Down Dirty Shame
• One Drink Away From the Blues
• Wishin Well
• Every Dog Has It's Day
• Dreamers Paradise

Video

Mark Kerr "Thick Side" from his debut CD, "One Drink Away From The Blues"

Photo Gallery

Press

• Alligator Records [+ Show ]
  

  "Alligator Records" You play with a good sense of melody and flow, and nice attention to tone. ..."Alligator Records"
  
  You play with a good sense of melody and flow, and nice attention to tone.
  Your approach is very confident and professional, and your soloing is dynamic.
  I like the way you use turnarounds. In fact, I was sorry for the fadeout on "Thick Side."
  Very classy soloing on "Wishin Well" with good dynamics.
  
  Mark, I'm quite impressed by your guitar work.
  It's interesting, mature and very confident.
  Your guitar playing is some of the best I've heard in recent times from an unknown (to me) player.
  
  Bruce Iglauer
  President of Alligator Records

• "One Drink Away From The Blues" [+ Show ]
  

  From the opening note of Mark Kerr's debut CD, One Drink Away From The Blues. You will be engulfed i...From the opening note of Mark Kerr's debut CD, One Drink Away From The Blues. You will be engulfed in the conflagration of Kerr's scorching licks. Kerr arranges in an innovative way to deliver his line up of well-written blues-rock tunes. Kerr plays with attitude and belts out a true Texas sound with color.

• Kerr offers up soulful blues [+ Show ]
  

  From the opening of "Thick Side" to "Low Down Dirty Shame," Kerr delivers his blistering licks and i...From the opening of "Thick Side" to "Low Down Dirty Shame," Kerr delivers his blistering licks and impressive picking skills. "Thinkin and a Drinkin" and "Woman With No Shame" continue as standouts with Kerr's gravely vocals. "One Drink Away From The Blues," is a showcase for kerr's guitar work and great lyrical package. Kerr's remake of B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone" is funky updated rendition which does honor to the classic hit.

• Knock out CD ! [+ Show ]
  

  Mark Kerr's "One Drink Away From The Blues," is the indie find of the year. Kerr reminds me a lot of...Mark Kerr's "One Drink Away From The Blues," is the indie find of the year. Kerr reminds me a lot of Gary Moore, with that blistering guitar sound and full tilt punch. The title cut "One Drink Away From The Blues," is played in a way that cuts you to the bone. "Elevator Love," is a beautiful Jazz / Blues groove. I find no flaws in this CD. A most remarkable debut performance.

• Great guitarist ! [+ Show ]
  

  I have recorded many great bands and players over the last twenty years, some of which have gotten r...I have recorded many great bands and players over the last twenty years, some of which have gotten record deals. I would have to say Mark Kerr is one of, if not the greatest guitarist to walk through the doors of my recording buisness. He sounds great in all genres from rock to jazz. I think his CD proves that beyond any shadow of a doubt.

• Mark Kerr-One Drink Away From The Blues [+ Show ]
  

  Mark Kerr is a modern blues rock guitarist who stacks up with the best of them. I hear more than a h...Mark Kerr is a modern blues rock guitarist who stacks up with the best of them. I hear more than a hint of later year Stevie Ray Vaughn in his songs. All the musicians are excellent and Mark leads them well in both the vocals and guitar fretwork. If you like your southern fried blues a bit rocking with blistering guitar licks then this is for you.

• Mark Kerr [+ Show ]
  

  A native of Tennessee now living in Louisiana. Mark Kerr is nonetheless a Texas roadhouse rocker at ...A native of Tennessee now living in Louisiana. Mark Kerr is nonetheless a Texas roadhouse rocker at heart. The guitarist, whose credits include stints with Curtis Mayfield's "Impressions" and Percy Sledge, offers eight originals and a pretty straight cover of The Thrill Is Gone, B.B. King style. Kerr's blues vary from rockin' and rowdy on Thick Side to fast and funky on Low Down Dirty Shame and Thinkin And A Drinkin' to slow and steamy on Wishin Well and the title track. The Disc closes with two sharply contrasting instrumentals in the pop-jazz inflected Elevator Love and the sprightly country romp Country Side Blues, giving Kerr a chance to showcase the breadth of his considerable skills.

• There's a storm blowin in [+ Show ]
  

  Blues guitarist Mark Kerr debut album “One Drink Away From The Blues” is an extraordinary compilatio...Blues guitarist Mark Kerr debut album “One Drink Away From The Blues” is an extraordinary compilation to be added to any avid blues fan’s collection. Mark breathes life and feeling into his work. Mark’s vocals lack any stereotypical husky smoking and drinking resonance emblematic to the blues genre, modern and classic alike. However, his lyrics fall right in line with the ever popular blues manner. ”There's a storm blowin in and I’m feelin a little blue. Gonna pour me a few friends while I think about you.” His pure vocal tone almost contradicts the intensifying sound of his guitar. Mark provides a fresh look at modern blues. While remembering the key lessons of blues music, Mark keeps his approach real and on the level even as he incorporates his many influences of rock, jazz, and funk.
  Mark’s blend of rock riffs and blues licks create an atmosphere of laid back fun and encouraged toe tapping. His years of experiences are visible on every track of this album. His rockin’ blues on “Low Down Dirty Shame” provide a brilliant contrast to his country side with “Country Side Blues”. His runs are extremely impressive and the qualities of his recordings are incredible. Mark Kerr offers any blues fan an enjoyable experience with “One Drink Away From The Blues” whether they are looking to curl up on the couch or dance in their socks across the kitchen floor. He dishes up tracks for every occasion. Accommodating and talented, what more could you ask for?

• Low Down Dirty Shame [+ Show ]
  

  Blazeing blues licks sets his guitar on fire.Hendrix and Vaughn are gone , now Kerr brings it home. ...Blazeing blues licks sets his guitar on fire.Hendrix and Vaughn are gone , now Kerr brings it home. Bending strings and lightening fast fingers flash notes up and down the blues scales , all in time. Low Down Dirty Shame opens with a bang and doesn't let up. Drums pounding the beat straight to your heart with the rhythm rolling on , never failing to hold everything together . The lyrics and vocals blend classic bluesmen like T-Bone Walker and the late Gatemouth Brown into the future of the Blues.
  

• Mark Kerr - One Drink Away From The Blues [+ Show ]
  

  Imagine opening up the most fragile parts of your life and laying them on public display. Imagine do...Imagine opening up the most fragile parts of your life and laying them on public display. Imagine doing this honestly, and not having any of it glossed over by other commentators or reviewers.
  Now imagine having your music bared to scrutiny. Although theres no real obligation to tell the perfect truth, nor are there people there to demand so, when there's a simplicity in the writing process, there's an energizing honesty conveyed.
  Mark Kerr's latest release, One Drink Away from the Blues, is a modern blues album with a wide sonic palette. Fusing together a variety of blues, rock, jazz and even metal techniques, its outright honesty unfolds and offers up an emotionally-engaging snapshot of some of Kerr's troubled days gone by.
  With a timeless voice, and huge feelings rustling beneath every song, gone are all traces of artificiality, revealing a magnetic charisma and charm that's well traveled, with plenty of stories to share.
  With a mouth-watering tone that could even make Santana weak kneed, Kerr's earnestly passionate and technically stellar guitar runs dominate much of the record.
  While his incorporation of simultaneous lead and rhythm parts draw many comparisons to B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughn, his use of tone and attack cite players like Steve Vai and Jimmie Hendrix as immediate influences.
  
  Unlike those who've taken another turn and have gone the wrong way, Kerr's open and visible celebration of his influences adds a new flavour to a very familiar genre. "Low Down Dirty Shame" is an all-out, emotionally-driven duel between tortured lyrics and spine
  tingling guitar leads. This passion and complexity reappears in tracks like "Thinkin and Drinkin" and "The Thrill is Gone", leading listeners through troublesome tales with a reflective evaluation of the days gone by. Kerr's guitar acrobatics mixed with his gut-deep vocal testimonials are never anything less than satisfying.
  
  Even with the clearly dark subjects in many of the tracks, there is an underlying theme to this album that shines throughout: beauty and grace. It is an expression of frustration and maturation inspiring change.
  Highlighted in tracks like the beautiful instrumental, "Elevator Love", it is a bold statement of readjusting priorities and changing directions in life. The only detail that may stand in the way of Kerr's obvious talent is the recording quality.
  Dating "One Drink Away from the Blues" back to the mid-1980s, an overhaul of the audio positioning and the tonal quality of the drums and bass begs for more attention than given.
  But because there's not a bad performance here, the outstanding compositions are good enough to cover up the production missteps. Mark Kerr's ability to make his guitar talk and wail with the coloured depths of human emotion is what makes One Drink Away from the Blues an album that could push the boundaries of the blues even further.
  It's openly straightforward in its intent, begging the question: what else could you ask for ?

Setlist

Set list: songs on the CD. Show: One hour in length
1." Thick Side " 4:33
2." Low Down Dirty Shame " 3:58
3." Wishin Well " 6:52
4." Thinkin And a Drinkin " 6:04
5." The Thrill Is Gone " 5:05
6." Woman With No Shame " 3:31
7." One Drink Away From The Blues " 5:56
8." Elevator Love " 3:24
9." Country Side Blues " 3:02

Basic Requirements

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