Mark Richardson is a Michigan Born singer/songwriter who cut his teeth with his father-in-law’s band, Branded – a mainstay in some of Flint’s/Saginaw's authentic honky-tonks. While Mark was honing his skills as a guitarist, he was given an Alan Jackson CD and began to develop his singing skills, as well, into the performing package his fans hear today. Mark was also heavily influenced by George Strait and Gary Allan and appreciates their contributions to country music and credits them with shaping his musical ‘personality'.
In 2003, Mark joined forces with producer Dan Crabtree and recorded Sounds From Tequila Town – a tight set of ten original country music songs, all written my Mark himself. Mark explains that the idea was to pay tribute to his ‘heroes’ of Country, and in ballads such as “My Heart” and “If We Meet Again,” as well as up-tempo, edgier numbers like “The Road” and “Heart To a Strange Hand,” those influences can certainly be heard. “Walk Away,” one of the CD’s most popular songs, unabashedly acknowledges the unique ‘Bakersfield’ style, founded by the great Buck Owens and recently revitalized by Dwight Yoakam. Sounds From Tequila Town drew the attention of Nashville’s Platinum Plus record label, and they released “She’s Gone” which broke Billboardmagazine’s Top 100 Country Music list by the end of 2004, an achievement establishing Mark as a bona fide artist and songwriter in the industry.
"The Road"
All of this is remarkable in light of the fact that ten years earlier, Mark had been diagnosed with Chron’s Disease and seemingly overnight, his whole life had changed. Multiple prescription medications and strict dietary requirements had become a part of Mark’s daily routine, but all that wasn’t enough to prevent surgery. In February 2005, a ‘routine’ surgery went awry and required four additional operations, effectively knocking Mark out of the music business for more than a year. The addition of a baby daughter during all this was indeed a bright spot, but meant that mark would seemingly have to turn his attention to his health and family and away from music.
By 2007, Mark’s health had improved to the point where, with the encouragement of family and friends, he decided to re-join Tequila Town, and the band has been a mainstay in the Detroit country music scene ever since. “I realized a lot about myself during my time at home,” Mark explains. “After what happened to me, I really understand what I am here to do! I love people and music is my way of connecting with them, and I enjoy writing and performing songs that everyday folks like myself can relate to and enjoy.” With Tequila Town, The band Performs top 40 country as well as the classics!
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Mark Richardson is a Michigan Born singer/songwriter who cut his teeth with his father-in-law’s band, Branded – a mainstay in some of Flint’s/Saginaw's authentic honky-tonks. While Mark was honing his skills as a guitarist, he was given an Alan Jackson CD and began to develop his singing skills, as well, into the performing package his fans hear today. Mark was also heavily influenced by George Strait and Gary Allan and appreciates their contributions to country music and credits them with shaping his musical ‘personality'.
All of this is remarkable in light of the fact that ten years earlier, Mark had been diagnosed with Chron’s Disease and seemingly overnight, his whole life had changed. Multiple prescription medications and strict dietary requirements had become a part of Mark’s daily routine, but all that wasn’t enough to prevent surgery. In February 2005, a ‘routine’ surgery went awry and required four additional operations, effectively knocking Mark out of the music business for more than a year. The addition of a baby daughter during all this was indeed a bright spot, but meant that mark would seemingly have to turn his attention to his health and family and away from music.
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