NEWSFLASH:  Mark was selected runner-up in WUMB's To Kill A Mockingbird songwriting finals, held at UMass Boston on May 10.   Mark's song written for the contest wil be included on an upcoming CD of songs inspired by the acclaimed Harper Lee novel; artists include Kate Campbell (who was one of the contest judges), The Kennedys, Brooks Williams and Vance Gilbert.

NEWSFLASH:  Mark was awarded 1st Place in this year's Great American Song Contest!  For more info go to www.greatamericansong.com.

Mark played at Nashville's historic Bluebird Cafe on May 8, as part of a showcase featuring winners and finalists recognized in the USA Songwriting Competition. 

"Dead Man's Hand", a new song of Mark's, received Honorable Mention in the March/April 2008 American Songwriter magazine lyric contest.  This is the fourth time Mark has been honored by American Songwiter; he has previously been a first place winner and first runner-up, and was featured in their "lyric spotlight" interview in the November/December 2007 issue.

Mark is one of the regular hosts at the weekly open mike at the Center for Arts in Natick. The open mike is every Monday night; Mark hosts the first and second (and occasionally fifth) Monday of each month . Details at www.natickarts.org or at the website of the other open mike hosts, Trisha and Phil Knudsen at: www.trishandphil-music.com

Mark is included on the recent CD released by Club Passim highlighting memorable performances at the Passim open mike. Other artists featured on this compilation include Michael Troy, Karaugh Brown, Danielle Miraglia and Erik Balkey. The CD is available at Passim for $10, with all proceeds going to support the Club Passim Cultural Center.

Mark's acclaimed song "Hotel Vendome", about a tragic 1972 fire in Boston's Back Bay, is included on "Features and Openers", a compilation CD to benefit The Center for Arts in Natick.  Other artists featured on this CD include Lori McKenna, Kevin So and Don White.  For more information contact www.natickarts.org