Mark Hermann
NEWS   I've been playing the Borders chain for nearly three years now. Beginning this month a new booking system has been put in place. I will now be playing the first Saturday of every month at the Brea store, and every third Saturday at the Yorba Linda store! Times are 8pm - 10pm at both stores. This should make it easier for me (and you) to plan ahead! See you there!

A new twist has entered my performance world. It's a trio called "Where's Mary?". It consists of Neal Lynch, Patrick Hough, and myself. We're covering mostly old '60s folk songs like those of Peter, Paul, and Mary - hence the name. Come on out to some of my solo gigs and, you never know, they might just show up!

You can usually find me on Tuesday nights at Java Joe's in Yorba Linda. I'm not moonlighting as a barista - though that pays a lot more. The Mo'Phat Tuesday open mic is held there. Java Joe's is a comfortable neighborhood coffee lounge (they also serve wine), with couches, wi-fi, and a nice laid-back vibe.

Scott's Open Mic is getting more and more popular and attracting a lot of good singers and players. Get there early to sign up. Chuck, the owner, is always flexible and has been willing to let the time run over so that everyone gets a chance to play. He's also been known to offer showcases to acts that do well at the open mic. Like I said - Nice vibe!

They are at 4973 Yorba Ranch Road, at the corner of Yorba Linda Blvd. Phone (714) 970-7988.

And don't forget Borders!
I began my musical career in the 70's, playing trumpet and guitar, and singing. This site contains mostly that act, which has kept me out of the big time all these years. I played full-time professionally for eight years, until I realized I preferred my meals .... you know, .... daily.
Do you play live?
It beats playing dead.
I play live several times a month at an open mic in Yorba Linda, California. It's hosted by Scott Smith and held at Java Joe's in Yorba Linda every Tuesday night. No cover. No minimum.

I also play at coffee houses and enlightened cereal bars in and around Orange County. Dates are listed in the Upcoming Shows sidebar on this page.
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
One gets to hear a lot more musicians who are really bad, so one appreciates more the ones who are really good, don't one?
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
No. I would use a pen.
Actually, I harbor no more dreams of stardom, fame, fortune, or even career. But a full tip jar is always nice.

These days my music is just to keep me sane. My kids like my stuff, and that's plenty.
Your influences?
My own favorite has always been Leo Kottke, with a lot more added over the years, like Dan Crary, Ed Gerhard, Tommy Emmanuel, Erik Mongrain, Preston Reed, Andy McKee, Michael Hedges, Don Ross, and on and on.... But I always gave up trying to be like them when my fingers started to bleed. Most of the singer/songwriter/troubadour/balladeer guys have been my biggest style influences, though: Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Jackson Browne, Dan Fogelberg, Paul Simon, Stan Rogers, James Taylor, Steven Bishop, Harry Chapin ... guys like that.
Equipment used:
My 12-string is a Guild G-312, which I bought new in 1978. It has the original, factory-installed Barcus-Berry Hot Dots mounted in the bridge. I run it through an L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI. Later I added a Guild D-55 6-string to the arsenal. I'm fooling around on autoharp and a new mandolin I got for Christmas from my family. Once in a while my daughter lets me play her Strat!
Anything else...?
If you didn't like this site, you probably won't like these either:
A live performance.

More of that performance.
The end of that performance.

But you might like this one:
The Omadhauns
This is the celtic group I played in for several years.

And this site: Mo' Phat Tuesday is a collection of the players from that open mic I was telling you about a little higher up on this page.

These are the websites of some of those players. I'm sure you will like them.

Acoustic Conversation

Brendan Beach

And here's an excellent forum about Guild guitars! Let's Talk Guild


Visitor Map
Create your own visitor map!
Join The Mailing List
We will not store or use this email address other than for this newsletter.
Mark & The Participants
R-L: Mark, Tom Clift (Bass), Gary Madeiros (drums)
I could listen to you all day my friend, some days, I have. You are an inspiration to me....please keep up the fabulous work.

Jim
play hi-fi  commenting Part of the Plan
Hi Mark,

Finally made it back to sample some of your 12string acoustic tunes, like this one, guitar sounds sweet, very easy to listen to you sing this as well. Would have been fun to sing some harmony with you on this one! I play 12string on a few of my tunes but not enough, it needs to be fixed. Is that a martin you play, I pick a kickoff of martin, I have a Sigma.
Take care and keep on strummin! wink ;)
~strummergurl~
You're my hero... Your voice and that Guild are meant to be together. More... More... Scratch sends
Mark,

Really liked your version of "Helplessly Hoping" (CSN) Reading your Bio, your favorite artists line right up with mine. Will be listening to more of your tunes!!!

Dan (Danley)
None of us have guilds, but hey, we're ok. Loved your Dan Fogelberg
Mark,
We just got home from sitting in on your open mic session down in Irvine.
Had a GREAT TIME! Thanks for playing the impromptu request. Joanne loved it. I don't know if I'll get up to Yorba Lina, but anytime you're between Tustin and Mission Viejo, you can bet. we'll be there.
Mark,
Good stuff, very clean, articulate and musical. Nice mic work on the 312!
Hope I can catch you in action one day!
Hi, Sounds great, love the Dylan covers.
Kurt
I like the sound of that Guild. I just got a '79 jumbo 55 from ebay and it sounds great. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I used to love Gordon Lightfoot too, still play Early Morning Rain now and agin. Keep up the good work.
pretty cool stuff man. i just put up a new one. its called "go long" check it out and tell me what you think. but good job. keep er up man.
Yo guildman! Thanks for adding me to your station. I am a guildman too, you must have heard it on my songs. I have a D-25 cherry that I bought new in 1974, and I recently picked up a nice condition 1979 F50 on ebay. Keep on pickin'!