Mark Guitar Miller
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
In 1973 Mark was with Cherry Opera, and did guitar tracks for their single release "Lady Conductor" and "Let's Start The World".
In the mid 1970's, Mark did guitar work for John Mackin, who had a regional hit single "Deaf Boy's Prayer".
In 1976 Mark collaborated with his friend Robie Robichaud, doing background vocals on 4 tracks on the LP "Listen".
In the early 1980's, did gratis studio work for Vini Contreas, which included all lead guitar tracks, including for a great single: "Take Two". Vini also wrote several tracks for Brad Delp, including the song "One Of A Kind" for Brad's solo project, which Mark played all guitar parts for later on.
In the mid 1980's Mark spent 3 years in the studio with Brad Delp on Brad's solo project with his band "Howard Roark and the Architects", doing all of the guitar tracks, and co-writing the song "Echoes of Love". The band did perform for the Boston Music Awards. Unfortunately, the album was never released by Brad.
In 1999, Mark released his first CD,"Naked Soul", writing 9 of the 13 tracks.
In 2006, Mark collaborated with a friend Wayne Hendsbee to write an anthem to the State of Maine entitled "Back In Maine", with Wayne writing most of the lyrics to Mark's music. They released the song with 2 versions, 1 live and 1studio cut on a CD.
In December of 2008, Mark released his 2nd full length CD - "Whatcha Gonna Do!" - which was begun in the early part of the decade with bed tracks written in California and finished years later with final backing tracks and some lead vocals by Brad Delp, prior to his death in 2007. Mark wrote and co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks on the album.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes - 3 or more times a week in northern and central Maine. It's my life, although my song "Tired" kind of explains that. Meeting great people and performers, and opening for national acts, including BB King, Johnny Winter, Taj Mahal, Peter Wolf, Pat Travers, Sonny Rhodes, Jonathan Edwards and Waylon Jennings.
I've played onstage with Johnny Rawls, Jimmy Johnson, Debbie Davies, James Montgomery, Buddy Spicher, Jimmy Day, Dale Watson (in Austin, TX), and Brad Delp for 3 years, with whom I performed at the Boston Music Awards, and on Brad's solo project.
Your musical influences
Albert King, BB King, Mike Bloomfield, Robben Ford, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Roy Buchanan, Bill Evans, Mike Stern, Lenny Breau, Duane Allman, Dickie Betts, Carter O'Neil, Wayne Brewer, Reggie Brewer, Gareth and Gale Miller.
What equipment do you use?
My guitar is a Paul Reed Smith - named Blue Bird. Its my second PRS, been using them since the '90s.
