Mark Stuart

  Dreams, career hopes. The topic here is dear to anyone who became embedded, loyal to a craft and career in anything. Certainly anyone determined and faithful to the pursuit for many years, instead of a fleeting span of time. As…

  More Than A Feeling. Yes, the Boston record, the track. I cannot believe a better Pop/Rock track was ever assembled. Tom Sholz wrote it, played the magical guitars (mostly), and co-produced it. Brad Delp sang it, making his voice one…

  The greatest, purest album ever made is my discussion here. It starts with a tour of the US west coast. The artists on tour were a married couple, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart. Ever heard of them? Anyway, the duo…

  “Namedropping”. Why do it? It seems human nature to try and impress upon others someone you know, especially someone of status. In many cases it isn’t someone you know, just someone you ENCOUNTERED. Does it really improve your standing, your…

  This is all about the job of a solo singer-songwriter artist on tour, and the considerations he/she takes. Let’s say the artist has three shows on the books for a Thursday, Friday, Saturday. The Saturday engagement, a folk music series…

  First album, maybe first two or three-that is the topic here. It is amazing how many people fall in love with a musical recording act upon the first album, then, cannot accept anything the act does after those first few…

  Concert vs. gig is the discussion. You can substitute “show” for “concert”, if you like. Any musical performance that is booked/placed on calendar can be called “engagement” or “date”. Multiples of these bookings/dates/engagements can be generalized as “work”, as in…

 The topic is ”music snobbery”. Everyone is guilty of it, some more than others. Why? Our ears hear and “think” of music, with our natural emotions taking a roll in the experience. We seem to find certain things very appealing…

 “Who do you play with?” This is the oft asked question when someone discovers another plays music for a living. The question constitutes that the musician plays with a specific act or for an artist performer, I guess. It immediately…

 The topic (yawn)…guitar nerds, gearheads, etc. Far too many times I am in a dressing room or behind a stage, about to perform, and a little cluster of these guys (always guys) are gathered in front of the stage. I…

  Tapers. Oh, how I used to encounter them most every night of performing. “ Do you mind if I record?” “If you are okay with my recording I will send you a copy.” Oftentimes, they would bring in gear that…

  Music from the 1960s decade is special. That is not to say any other decade is not special. But, for me, born in the ‘60s and youngest of five siblings, it resonates in a way that no other decade of…