Artist Information Biography Ask the fans of Mark DeRose's music what it is that keeps them coming out to his shows and you will find a common tie that unites them: sincerity.  "There is an honesty to Mark's work that is so easy to connect with.  Whether it be his solid and intelligent lyrics or the intensity with which he pours himself into his live shows, the listener can easily relate to the emotions expressed in his songs.” As a singer/songwriter and an instrumentalist on piano and guitar, the multi-talented Mark DeRose blends introspective lyrics with heartfelt acoustic rock. Influenced by musical greats like James Taylor, Bruce Hornsby and Dave Matthews, DeRose brings a distinctive sound that has been challenging listeners and entertaining high energy crowds for nearly a decade. Patrick Kirchner of The Fly describes this engaging music as “thoughtful and provocative, laden with metaphors of hope and celebration for life – the stuff that makes feel good music feel so good." As the singer/songwriter and front man of the original roots rock group, the Ernest Goodlife Band, DeRose spent ‘02 through ‘06 performing throughout the greater Mid-Atlantic Region.  Performing at a range of venues from coffee shops to clubs, private parties to festivals, high schools to colleges, Ernest Goodlife grew a fan base hungry for great music and great times. On the heels of the band's split in September ‘06, DeRose carried the building enthusiasm into his solo career and hasn't looked back.  His first solo CD,"Tales from the Sandcastle Kingdom" was released in August of ‘07. DeRose celebrated the brand new solo album with the unveiling of his brand new band, The Mark DeRose Band and a CD Release Party that attracted 276 attendees and sold more than 100 CDs. In just a short time working as a solo act in the college music market, DeRose has booked an impressive amount of shows with hopes of always adding more to the calendar. Most recently, eight of DeRose’s songs have been cleared for use on television’s oldest daytime soap opera, “Guiding Light”. He has also been keeping busy in the studio in '09 with two brand new releases - Mark DeRose Band (self titled) EP and Hear To Listen - Mark DeRose Band Live. DeRose has already performed at many colleges in the Mid-Atlantic area including Bucknell University, University of Delaware, the University of Pennsylvania, Salisbury University and Penn State University. Always feeling right at home on a summer festival stage, he has played the Central PA Arts Fest, Musikfest, Harrisburg Patriot News Arts Fest, Mayfair Music Fest in Allentown and the West Chester Turk's Head Music Fest. This coming November DeRose will get to share the stage with a personal favorite of his when he opens for Edwin McCain at Penn State - York's Pullo Center. Most notably, he has opened for the Sugar Hill Gang, Josh Kelley, The Earthtones, 10 Mile Tide, New Found Glory and John Eddie. In June of '08, The Mark DeRose Band had the great pleasure of opening for Blues Traveler. The highlight of that evening for the members of the Mark DeRose Band came when Blues Travelr frontman John Popper announced to the audience, “Did you guys catch the opening Mark DeRose Band? They were F*%#ing awesome!”. A memorable quote on a very memorable night! Instrumentation Mark J. De Rose - Vocal, Acoustic Guitar & Piano Members of the Mark DeRose Band Jay Baab - Electric Guitar, Backing Vocal Ben Eberts - Bass, Backing Vocal Dan Brenner - Drums, Backing Vocal Discography Good To Be Here - 2004 Tales From The Sandcastle Kingdom - 2007 Mark DeRose Band - Self Titled EP - 2009 Hear To Listen - Mark DeRose Band Live @ The Capitol Theatre - 2009 Links http://www.markderosemusic.com Visit Mark on MySpace.com