Mark Varnes
Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Lead/Harmony Vocals
Writer, Live & Studio Sound Tech
ProTools Operator License Certification
Production/Arrangement/Recording
Berklee School Master Certificate
ASCAP Member
Mark was born and raised in Chicago by a family with tremendous musical history including The Grand Ole Opry, short time with the band “Chicago” just before CTA was released, trumpet player of the Doc Severinsen Band during the Tonight Show - Johnny Carson era as well as Sons of Norway International Choir.
Piano trained since childhood, Mark picked up a guitar for the first time as a teenager and immediately recognized the power of expressing himself in ways not always available as the oldest of 7 children in a conservative, Roman Catholic, Midwest upbringing. Mark cut his teeth with many working bands, acoustic solo performances and open jam sessions. Chicago blues dominated his influence as a means of “saying” something – not just playing fast and loud. Freddie King, Lonnie Mac, Elmore James, Otis Rush, Big Twist and the more modern styles of Stevie Ray, Robben Ford, John Studebaker, Sonny Landreth are major influences. Green, Spenser, Kirwan, Welch with Mick Fleetwood crafted tremendous experience with classic blues well before Buckingham and Nicks joined to identify what most know as Fleetwood Mac style today.
Taj Mahal cornered Mark at a random blues jam night –
“You don’t play the Blues…you LIVE the Blues”!
Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Lead/Harmony Vocals
Writer, Live & Studio Sound Tech
ProTools Operator License Certification
Production/Arrangement/Recording
Berklee School Master Certificate
ASCAP Member
Mark was born and raised in Chicago by a family with tremendous musical history including The Grand Ole Opry, short time with the band “Chicago” just before CTA was released, trumpet player of the Doc Severinsen Band during the Tonight Show - Johnny Carson era as well as Sons of Norway International Choir.
Piano trained since childhood, Mark picked up a guitar for the first time as a teenager and immediately recognized the power of expressing himself in ways not always available as the oldest of 7 children in a conservative, Roman Catholic, Midwest upbringing. Mark cut his teeth with many working bands, acoustic solo performances and open jam sessions. Chicago blues dominated his influence as a means of “saying” something – not just playing fast and loud. Freddie King, Lonnie Mac, Elmore James, Otis Rush, Big Twist and the more modern styles of Stevie Ray, Robben Ford, John Studebaker, Sonny Landreth are major influences. Green, Spenser, Kirwan, Welch with Mick Fleetwood crafted tremendous experience with classic blues well before Buckingham and Nicks joined to identify what most know as Fleetwood Mac style today.
Taj Mahal cornered Mark at a random blues jam night –
“You don’t play the Blues…you LIVE the Blues”!