Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Pop/folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Paffrath has been charming audiences for over 25 years. From the concert and festival stage to your local bar and grill or coffeehouse, his thoughtfully chosen interpretations and well crafted original music are as much about his history as where he would like to be; as much about how the world is, as the way he’d like to see it. His observations, repartee and humor are self-deprecating but keen, quirky and refreshing. His command of vocal and instrumental skills is well honed from years of performing. Artists of his genuine sensitivity and caring are rare and often alienated or discouraged by the music business - but this is all he’s ever wanted to do - and he’s doing it!

While he’s not fond of comparisons, his vocals have been called reminiscent of Kenny Loggins, Dwight Yoakam, John Denver and Lyle Lovett. (That’s some kind of hybrid!) And whether he’s flat-picking, finger-picking, or soloing, his rolling and percussive “big” guitar sound is not only due to the vintage Gibson he is so attached to but also to his many years as a drummer and mandolin player.

A performance by Mark Paffrath may leave listeners a little more aware of the foibles of the human condition, the ironies that life is made of, the difficulties and joys of living in this world, but may also leave them feeling just a little bit better about their part in all of it - and this alone is well worth the price of admission.

Currently Mark is performing as a solo act, singing and playing guitar and mandolin. In the fall of 2001 he released an award winning CD called “Retrofix - Life’s Journey With Musical Friends”. It features music, original and borrowed, from many of the different groups he has performed with, plus one new original song produced by Joe Puerta of the group Ambrosia. In 2002 Mark “swept” his hometown music awards, winning the categories for “Best CD” (”Retrofix”), “Best Song” (”Forest Green Beret”), “Best Songwriter”, “Best Male Vocalist”, and “Best String Player”. Mark got another nice surprise in 2003 when he received the honor of being voted “Best Musician” in the “Best of Racine County” poll.

In early 2004 Mark completed his first solo release of all new material called “Soothe”. The CD (already receiving glowing reviews) features original material as well as thoughtfully chosen, time tested material from his live shows including songs by other songwriter pals and several favorite standards.

Mark also collects vintage watches, loves James Bond movies, TV Land, Karmann Ghias, Studebakers, old Chryslers, stuff from the 1950s and 60s, time off and Dean Martin. His favorite color is green. He and his wife and son love summer and each other, have two cats, three fish and a dog and live on the West coast of Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin.

Today’s Sponsors…
Top Shelf Cafe & Gourmet
Voyager Inn
Yacht Works
Sister Bay Mobil, Sub Express & Pizza Primo

See you there!

Gregg

 

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