Biography
ON THE WEB AT
http://www.markransom.com and
http:///www.themostest.net
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Contact: bendroots@gmail.com
(541) 390-2940
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New Mostest CD:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mostest2
Mark Ransom and The Mostest Website:
http://www.markransom.com
http://www.themostest.net
Electronic Press Kit:
http://www.sonicbids.com/markransom
Ransom Notes October 2009
Thanks for a great summer!
The end of summer is always a wirlwind for me. September is a manic flurry of music and work that intensifies my longing for Autumn. This year October is my month to vacation at home, focus on teaching projects, and and be with my family.
Thanks family and friends both near and far for your love and support! Y’all are the Dream.
1. Upcoming Performances
2. Praise for Song Camp
3. Praise for the 2009 Bend Roots Revival
1. Upcoming Performances:
Nov 4, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM McMenamins Old St. Francis School Bend, OR
Event Notes The Mostest in Father Lukes
Nov 5, 2009 Thursday 7:00 PM McMenamins Edegfield Troutdale, OR
Event Notes: Mostest Power Duo (Mark n Pat) in the Wine Cellar
Nov 6, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM McMenamins Grand Lodge Forest Grove, OR
Event Notes: Mostest Power Duo in the Basement!!! All ages Show.
Nov 7, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM McMenamins Hotel Oregon McMinville, OR
Event Notes: Mostest Power Duo (mark n pat) in the Basement Bar!!!
Nov 13, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM Parrilla Grill Bend, OR
Event Notes: Mostest Power Duo
Nov 14, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM Church of Neil---Venue TBA Bend, OR
Event Notes: Various Artists in Honor of Neil Young!
Nov 20, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM Tower Theater --Rock N Soul Review Bend, OR
Event Notes: Tim Schroeder Presents: Various Artists to Rock...
Nov 21, 2009 Saturday 9:00 PM Midtown Annex Bend, OR
Event Notes: The Mostest supports Brad Jones CD Release Party. Way to go Brad, nice work on the new record!
Dec 4, 2009 Friday 8:00 PM Silver Moon Brewing Bend, OR
Event Notes: Mostest... Mark/Pat/Lindsey/Brad Jones
Check out some new grooves... Brad Jones is in the Mostest.
Jan 6, 2010 Wednesday 8:00 PM Kips Grill Pagosa Pagosa Springs, CO
Event Notes: Solo-Acoustic Sojourn to the Legendary Wolf Creek...
Jan 7, 2010 Thursday 8:00 PM Princess Wine Bar Crested Butte, CO
Event Notes: Solo-Acoustic adventure to Mt. Crested Butte...
Feb 12, 2010 Friday 7:00 PM Parrilla Grill Bend, OR
Event Notes: Winter Music Series... Masala Mostest Style
2. Praise for Song Camp
For me Song Camp (The Americana Song Academy) initiates the beginning of the end of Summer. This was my third year attending the Academy and it was as remarkable as ever: new friendships born and seasoned ones made stronger; great jams, amazing songs, and a beauriful space held for everyone to grow.
I’ll never forget breakfast, day one of my first Song Camp (Sept., 2006). I was laying into a delicious slice of quiche when a great Oregon songwriter by the name of Willy Carmichael leaned over to me, and in a deep Gregg Brown-stye rumble whispered, “Every one of these campers you see here has a song that will blow you away, Ransom.” The seriousness of his tone and his heavy presence frightened me, but I did not believe him.
Now, despite my initial disbelief and ongoing amazement, every year I retrun, I hear Willy’s words echo through my head over and over again...
“Every one of these campers has a song that will blow you away!”
There is something quite magical about bringing 100 songwriters together at once, for four days and nights. It all hit me on Sunday morning this year when I realized that the girl in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning and serving up some of the tastiest food I’ve ever eaten, also delivered one of the best song performances of the week.
Thanks Brad Tisdel, The Americana Project, Sisters Folk Festival and the Americana Song Academy for giving us such a great opportuntiy!
http://www.sistersfolkfestival.com
Long live Song Camp! Looking forward to the next one...
3. Praise for the 2009 Bend Roots Revival
Get a video recap of the 2009 Bend Roots Revival on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1WS4rv5gBs&feature=player_embedded%20%3C
Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the 4th Annual Bend Roots Revival. This year’s event was a smashing success: a grand celebration of performing arts in Bend... 70 Acts on 6 stages in 3 days... ROCK!
Many are to be congratulated for a show well run:
Hats off to the staffs of the Victorian Cafe and Parrilla Grill for stepping it up and serving the masses. You rock!
Thank you also...
Long Road Foundation, KPOV, Jill and Pearl and Mike, Jackie and Tristan, Rick Miller, Parrilla Grill, Victorian Cafe, The Source, The Bulletin, BIGS, Caseys, Patrick Pearsall, Andy Fecteau, Abracadabra Printing, Sonic Solutions, Cosmic Depot, Bend Yoga, Linken Olsen, Ken Czepelka, Tim Moore, Art Station, Ransoms, Pearsalls, Rileys, Pine Mountain Sports, Deschutes Brewery, Joe Katrosick, Eric Ransom, Eddie Stern, Lisa Lepine, Victor Johnson... All the players, all the cast, all the crew and everyone of you who came out to Celebrate Performing Arts in Bend!
Psyched to do it again next September!!!
Ransom Notes: Mid Summer 09:
A few changes on the home front; and a few new dates...
Mark Ransom and the Mostest
High Desert Summer Performance Schedule:
July 8, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Pioneer Park M.R. supporting Anne Feeney Bend, OR
Jul 11, 2009 Saturday 8:00 PM Tall Adam Presents M. R. Solo-Acoustic at Bottoms Up Sun River, OR
Jul 15, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Ransom Solo Acoustic-Pizza MONDO Bend, OR
Jul 17, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM The Mostest!! Parrilla Grill—Show Us Your Spokes Bend, OR
Jul 23, 2009 Thursday 8:00 PM Bend Roots Fundraiser ESO/MOSTEST/LEIF JAMES--Tulen Center Bend, OR
Jul 24, 2009 Friday 6:00 PM Marcello and Mark... Bend Distillery Martini Bar Patio Bend, OR
Jul 29, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Mostest ...Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Jul 30, 2009 Thursday 7:00 PM M.R. Solo-Acoustic Jackson's Corner Bend, OR
Aug 5, 2009 Wednesday 6:00 PM Masala Mostest Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Aug 8, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM The Mostest...Three Creeks Brewing Sisters, OR
Aug 12, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Masala Mostest Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Aug 22, 2009 Saturday 5:00 PM Bowers/Ransom Duo KEBABA outdoor music series Bend, OR
Aug 27, 2009 Thursday 6:00 PM M.R. Solo-Acoustic Jackson's Corner Bend, OR
Sep 5, 2009 Saturday 3:00 PM The Mostest—Possible Festival date in Bend TBA...
Sep 5, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM Masala MostestBlack Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Sep 12, 2009 Saturday Afternoon The Mostest for Molly’s Wedding supporting Mexican Gunfight Bend, OR
Thanks as always for your love and support!
Wishing you a wonderful Summer!
Mark
Hi Everybody,
Thanks much for your support of the new Mostest CD—lots of positive response from media, family and friends here in the Pacific Northwest; as well as a very memorable CD release party. Thanks everyone for coming out.
Summer Mostest tour starts tomorrow with Patrick’s 30th birthday party in McCall, Idaho. Happy Birthday Pat! See you at Crusty’s; then it’s off to Colorado for a string of dates culminating, as always, in Telluride for Bluegrass Festival.
I am pleased to announce that our favorite fiddler, Julianne Southwell, will be joining us in Creede, and playing the rest of the run with us. Friends in Colorado, we can’t wait to see you!
... And CSU brothers and Sisters, I was informed (by Lurch) about a gathering you are having on the front range (when I’m in CB)--so very close... Y’all should really come out to Telluride the following weekend and say howdy to your old school-mate. Peace to you all!
Upon our return to the great Northwest there is one big thing I am focused on: July, 23 at the Tulen Center in Bend... An evening of entertainment to benefit the 2009 Bend Roots Revival—A Project of KPOV Bend Community Radio... featuring the Empty Space Orchestra, The Mostest, Leif James and a very special guest from Brazil, Marcello Bernardes. Please put this one on your calendar!
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer...
All the best,
Mark
Mostest Summer Schedule:
Date Time Venue City
Jun 10, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Crusty's McCall, ID
Jun 13, 2009 Saturday 8:00 PM Princess Wine Bar Crested Butte, CO
June 14, 2009 Sunday 7:00 PM RUMORS Coffeehouse Crested Butte, CO
Jun 15, 2009 Monday 6:00 PM Kips Grill—Creede Creede, CO
Jun 16, 2009 Tuesday 6:00 PM Kips Grill—Creede Creede, CO
Jun 17, 2009 Wednesday 8:00 PM Kips Grill—Pagosa Pagosa Springs, CO
Jun 18, 2009 Thursday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 18, 2009 Thursday 6:00 PM Cucina de Luz Telluride, OR
Jun 19, 2009 Friday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 19, 2009 Friday 3:00 PM Tommy's Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 20, 2009 Saturday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 20, 2009 Saturday 6:00 PM La Cocina de Luz Telluride, OR
Jun 21, 2009 Sunday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 27, 2009 Saturday 11:00 AM Northwest Crossing Saturday Market Bend, OR
Jul 8, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Ransom/Bowers Duo--Pizza MONDO Bend, OR
Jul 11, 2009 Saturday 8:00 PM Tall Adam Presents at Bottoms Up Sun River, OR
Jul 17, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM Parrilla Grill Bend, OR
Jul 23, 2009 Thursday 8:00 PM Bend Roots Fundraiser--Tulen Center Bend, OR
Jul 24, 2009 Friday 6:00 PM Marcello and Mark... Bend Distillery Martini Bar Bend, OR
Jul 29, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Aug 5, 2009 Wednesday 6:00 PM Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Aug 8, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM The Mostest...Three Creeks Brewing Sisters, OR
Aug 12, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
Aug 22, 2009 Saturday 5:00 PM Bowers/Ransom Duo KEBABA outdoor music series Bend, OR
Sep 5, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM Black Butte Ranch Black Butte, OR
http://www.markransom.com
Ransom Notes Spring 09: Kung Fu Music for Kids and Colorado Pickers too...
1. Upcoming Performances
2. Kung Fu Music Class
3. The Americana Project, My Own Two Hands and Travis Erhenstrom
4. Blues Amuse Brews: WVMS Annual Fundraiser
5. I Went Back to Ohio ...Ransom Band Reunion Show in Columbus 5/16
6. Masala Mostest CD Press Release
7. McMenamin's Run to Portland and the Willamette Valley
8. Colorado For Bluegrass in June
1. Upcoming Performances
Apr 17, 2009 Friday 6:00 PM Bronco Billy's Sisters, OR
Apr 23, 2009 Thursday 7:00 PM Three Creeks Brewing Sisters, OR
May 1, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM Bend Community Center--WVMS Fundraiser Bend, OR
May 8, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM Parrilla Grill Bend, OR
May 16, 2009 Saturdy 5:00 PM Espresso Yourself Music Cafe Columbus, OH
May 20, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM McMenamins Bend--Mostest CD Release Party Bend, OR
May 21, 2009 Thursday 7:00 PM McMenamins Edgefield Wine Cellar Troutdale, OR
May 22, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM McMenamins Grand Lodge Forest Grove, OR
May 23, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM McMenamins Hotel Oregon McMinville, OR
Jun 10, 2009 Wednesday 7:00 PM Crusty's McCall, ID
Jun 13, 2009 Saturday 8:00 PM Princess Wine Bar Crested Butte, CO
Jun 15, 2009 Monday 6:00 PM Kips Grill—Creede Creede, CO
Jun 16, 2009 Tuesday 6:00 PM Kips Grill—Creede Creede, CO
Jun 17, 2009 Wednesday 8:00 PM Kips Grill—Pagosa Pagosa Springs, CO
Jun 18, 2009 Thursday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 19, 2009 Friday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 19, 2009 Friday 3:00 PM Tommy's Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 20, 2009 Saturday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jun 21, 2009 Sunday 9:00 AM Hotel Telluride Telluride, CO
Jul 11, 2009 Saturday 8:00 PM Tall Adam Presents at Bottoms Up Sun River, OR
Jul 17, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM Parrilla Grill Bend, OR
Aug 8, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM Three Creeks Brewing Sisters, OR
2. Kung Fu Music Class
I watched The Bruce Lee Story for the first time the other night. What a cool film. It shows the human side connected to the spiritual, portrayed in the style of Chinese Kung Fu films from the late 1960s and 1970s. Only after he fought and defeated his own internal demon could Lee accept his mortality and be truly free.
In the movie, Bruce’s fear of passing the demon on to his son combined with a vision of his own tombstone causes him to face the evil in himself. In the end he seems peaceful because he is confident he has sleighed the beast—and saved his son: the path of a hero for sure.
In real life, Bruce Lee and his son both die tragically, when they are young men, of strange and unlikely circumstances.
To which I inquire, “How many demons are there, and is the one who got you the same one who got me?”
Recently my head has been turned toward martial arts because it has become a serious path for my daughter Joni. Taking her to Tae Kwon Do tournaments, getting to know her instructor, Master Graff, and watching Joni learn and grow has been a surprisingly good education for me.
In the classroom at Westside Village School, I am furthering the work of Phillip Toshio, author of a must-read for any musician, Zen Guitar. In study of Mr. Toshio’s work and in observation of Master Graff’s sessions in the Dojang, I am developing a martial arts approach to teaching music.
What we do on our path is valuable when we can apply it to our daily life.
This is when our path becomes a model for how we should live in the world.
I have some partners in this project: Brendon Sleven and Patrick Pearsall (two incredible men with big, musical hearts and a knack for accessing the middle-school mind). I also have the good fortune of great facilities (the new, improved Westside Village School), a music program that is getting stronger and stronger, and the blessing of principle Wendy Wenchel, to make our work as artists-in-residence an evolving work-in-progress.
Part of Westside’s philosophy is that we model true democracy within the microcosms of family, classroom, and community. This is especially important if we wish true freedom for the world.
I welcome input for the Westside Village Roots Music Program from the musical community, from friends and family, educators, philosophers, martial artists and the like... Please share with me your thoughts and experience. magicturtle@bendbroadband.com
3. The Americana Project, My Own Two Hands and Travis Erhenstrom
MY OWN TWO HANDS is “A community celebration of the arts,” taking place in Sisters, Oregon. Check http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org/mo2h.html for the history of this great event (which began in 2001), and for information about this year’s celebration.
On April 17th enjoy an evening of Art and Entertainment—To benefit The Americana Project—culminating with an evening performance from Travis Erhenstrom and his band (for which The Mostest has been recruited to round-out the jams). Bronco Billy’s/7PM.
Travis is a graduate of the Sisters Americana Project whom I befriended at the Americana Song Academy in 2007. He has played the Bend Roots Revival the last two years; and it has been a treat watching him hone his craft as a singer-songwriter, guitarist and band leader.
A true musical talent with a powerful voice, Travis and his band blend Dave Mathews style arrangements with Heavy Americana, a la Ryan Adams. For more info about about Travis, his tour schedule, etc..., check http://www.traviserhenstrom.com
4. Blues Amuse Brews: WVMS Annual Fundraiser
It is time again to support your neighborhood school, and have a great time doing it!
Where: The Bend Community Center
When: Friday, May 1st; Party Starts at 6:00 PM
How Much: 20 bucks gets you dinner and one beer or wine, plus an evening’s worth of great entertainment!
Dinner (created by Deschutes Brewery Mt. Room Catering) will be served buffet-style throughout the evening with a no-host bar.
Numerous high-quality goods donated by artists, artisans, community-minded business folks and Westside Village family and friends will be raffled-off throughout the night. Kid-created silent auction items will be displayed and available to the highest bidders as well... Let’s go Grammy, lay your money down!
Schedule:
6:00PM: The WVMS Roots Rock Band
6:30 PM: The WVMS Roots Rhythm Group (a big drum circle with Miss Shireen).
7:00 PM: The Mostest (featuring Shireen Amini, Julianne Southwell, Patrick Pearsall and me)
8:30 PM: DJ Eric Anderson
5. I Went Back to Ohio ...Ransom Band Reunion Show 5/16
I will be visiting family and friends in Columbus, Ohio in May and my cousin Eric has put together a musical showcase featuring his group, Ransom Band (http://www.ransomband.com), me solo-acoustic, and the Three Strings Fork Band (members of the Rocky Fork String Band).
This is an All Ages Show so bring the kids and Grandma too!!
Date: Saturday, May, 16th
Venue: Espresso Yourself Music Café 50 W. Olentangy Street Powell, Ohio (http://www.espressoyourselfmusiccafe.com)
Time: 4 to 7 PM
Those of you on my email list in Ohio, please be our street team! Let everyone know we be jammin’ Ohio-style... Gracias!
6. Masala Mostest CD Press Release
Band: The Mostest
CD Title: Masala Mostest
CD Release Date: Tuesday, May 19th
CD Release Party: Wednesday, May 20th at McMenamins Old St. Francis School
(7PM Start, All Ages Show, Admission is Free)
Website: themostest.net
Electronic Press Kit: sonicbids.com/markransom
Contact: Mark Ransom (541) 390-2940; magicturtle@bendbroadband.com
Masala Mostest: Funky Americana with World Music Overtones
(From the folks who brought you the cult-classic, God Bless the Taco Stand!)
Welcome the second CD release from one of Bend’s favorite bands, and one of Central Oregon’s most enduring songwriters, Mark Ransom and The Mostest.
One of six full-length albums Ransom has put out in the last decade, Masala Mostest is both a return to his acoustic roots (1998’s Man of My Word/ the Rhythm Beans 1999 title Ocean in the Air); and also a departure from the older paradigm.
Singer-songwriter, ethno-musicologist, and virtuoso hand-percussionist Shireen Amini provides the back-beat for this Mostest quartet; as well as the soaring vocal harmonies highlighted throughout the CD.
Furthering the World Music vibe on the new album Julianne Southwell brings India-steeped violin melodies to several Mostest originals, and a host of covers which frequently appear in their live set: songs from JJ Cale, Marvin Gaye and The Rolling Stones to name a few.
“We wanted to capture the essence of a live Mostest show, and also showcase our acoustic set,” says bassist Patrick Pearsall, Ransom’s good friend and musical partner in the band.
Much of Masala Mostest (thirteen songs in all) was recorded live at Black Butte Ranch and Parrilla Grill which gives the disc a very ambient feel --complete with crowd noise and subtle bits of local humor.
Mostest song themes continue to visit snowy seclusion, real friends and the quest for good life. As usual, the Mostest outlook is optimistic: another fun-in-the-sun feel-good record for the summer of 2009!
7. McMenamin's Run to Portland and the Willamette Valley
A quick shout out to our friends over in Portland and the Willamette Valley:
Directly following The Mostest CD Release Party here in Bend on May 20th at McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School, Patrick and I are doing three more McMenamins dates over the hill and much closer to you:
May 21, 2009 Thursday 7:00 PM McMenamins Edgefield Wine Cellar Troutdale, OR
May 22, 2009 Friday 7:00 PM McMenamins Grand Lodge Forest Grove, OR
May 23, 2009 Saturday 7:00 PM McMenamins Hotel Oregon McMinville, OR
We’d love to see your smiling faces, and to celebrate the release of our new CD, Masala Mostest!
8. Colorado For Bluegrass in June
Finally, I have confirmed many dates for my solo-acoustic tour to Telluride (McCall, CB, CREEDE, PAGOSA...), and am still working to confirm a few more. Specifically, the evening of Friday, June 12th, I will likely be performing in Gunnison, but there is a chance I may be in Durango or Carbondale. Please check my website for updates soon.
I will be in Telluride For Bluegrass—playing the Breakfast Set at the Hotel Telluride (join me for benedict and a bloody...) on June 18, 19, 20 and 21 (9 to 11 AM); and at Tommy’s on Friday night 6/19. I will likely play Thursday (6/18) and Saturday (6/20) evening sets also in Telluride, venues TBA. Again, please check my site for updates. http://www.markransom.com
Looking forward to filling up on San Juan energy!
Thanks all for a great birthday bash and all the love and blessings!
See you soon,
Mark
Instrumentation
Mark Ransom solo-acoustic:
Mark Ransom, guitars & vocals
with The MOSTEST add:
Patrick Pearsall, electric bass;
and Lindsey Elias, drums.
For Masala Mostest:
add the world music stylings of
Julie Southwell, violin; Shireen Amini, percussion.
Discography
---------------------------------------------
1998 Mark Ransom Man of My Word
1999 Rhythm Beans Ocean in the Air
2002 Mark Ransom Stride
2006 Mark Ransom Champion of Mystery
2007 The Mostest The MOSTEST
2009 The Mostest Masala Mostest
Cuts from Ocean in the Air, Stride, Champion of Mystery, The MOSTEST and Masala Mostest continue to get airplay in the Northwest and on few stations in the Rockies: KLRR (Bend, Oregon), 106.7 KPOV (Bend, Oregon), 92.7 (Bend, Oregon, KLCC (Eugene, Oregon), KBUT (Crested Butte, Colorado).
Lots of Mostest Music to sample at themostest.net and markransom.com
In addition to the MP3 samples included in this EPK ("Audio" button top of page); more info about Mark's CDs and more audio is available via the website link listed above... http://www.markransom.com
Links
| http://www.markransom.com |