2008-05-21T09:20:00.000-04:00

Hello from Myrtle Beach, S.C. I am here with my friends Josh Kelley, Charlie Rymer, Perry Swenson, and all of the fine folks with The Golf Channel, and Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. We are shooting four more episodes of the show, ROAD TRIP: MYRTLE BEACH , that will air in july. It's been more fun than humans should be allowed to have. We've been playing golf, guitar, piano, and singing, and we went to a minor league ballgame last night - GO PELICANS!

As is indicative of my schedule lately, I am currently at the MB Airport, on my way to Charlotte to meet up with Darius, Dean, and Soni. and head down to Orlando for a show tonight. I will be back in Myrtle tomorrow, and home on Friday to spend Memorial Day Weekend with my children, and my parents (with a quick trip to Denver on Saturday to play for John Elway's son's graduation party).

I sleep well, but I fail to rest. I have meant to write for awhile now, and it is my intention to journal regularly, and keep up with a weekly blog, but I have found myself in a managerial role regarding the release of my CD, and these upcoming solo performances.

I would like to thank everyone who has listened to, bought, burned, or illegally downloaded END OF THE FRONT . I have gotten loads of positive response, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my music, and inspire, in the same way that I am still inspired by the music I am a fan of.

"A fork in the Road" has reached heavy rotation in Charleston, S.C. on The Bridge 105.5 , and in Columbia, S.C. on 99.3 WXRY . There is probably a copy at a radio station near you if you feel like calling and requesting a kick-ass rock song.

We recently shot a video for "Fork", featuring The Occasional Milkshake and Danielle Howle . There will be scenes of us rocking out at the SeeWee Restaurant Cabin Stage (Awendaw, SC), intertwined with footage from the film A FORK IN THE ROAD. No release dates yet for the video or the film.

I am setting out on my first mini-tour as a solo artist. I will be playing eight shows between June 10 and 22. I have decided to keep the three-piece feel that we have established with the Occasional Milkshake, but unfortunately Hank and Gary are not available for these dates, other than June 20 in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Filling in will be Jamie Crisp on bass, and Tommy Hamer on drums. Both are solid, Charleston-area musicians that I have jammed with in the past.

Also joining us will be Danielle Howle . We will perform each other's songs, and basically turn it into one big, juicy set full of rock and roll, rock and soul, punkabilly, country funk, bluegrassalicious, so nutritious for your ears and your spirit, you can't do nothin' but show up and hear it.

Later this summer, Hootie will be coming to a theater near you, unless you live on the west coast...we're working on it. I wish Darius the best with his new direction. He sounds great, and is backing up what I've said about him for years as far as his versatility as a singer...he sounds natural. He's so lucky I discovered him back in the dorm. I am dying to hear what Soni's CD sounds like. I think Francis Dunnery must have encoded classified information into the tracks, 'cause I know as much as you do so far. Dean, let's go fishing. Peter Holsapple is a great blogger...read him.

I'm sure there's more, but I'm fading...I love you all...relatively speaking of course...ham and tomato sandwiches for the lot of you (with cockney accent)

restlessly,
Mark Bryan

March 3, 2008

2008-03-03T10:20:00.004-05:00

If you had asked me, when I was 16 years old, what I'd want to be doing when I'm 40, I would have said, "make records, and play rock and roll." I've had the wonderful, good fortune of being in a great American rock band for the last 20 years, and music has been my occupation. It is a dream that came true. My bandmates are my brothers, and our crew and staff are our family, and I love them all. I sincerely hope there is another Hootie album in the future. I honestly feel like our best material is still out there.

In the meantime, we will be touring again this summer, and I am releasing my second solo CD. It's called END OF THE FRONT. The reason I do these things is because I am a songwriter, and when the good stuff piles up, I have to get it out there. It never feels right to just leave it sitting there in my studio. If you like it, please spread the word. If you don't, spread the word anyway. Someone else just might.

One of the songs on END OF THE FRONT, "A Fork in the Road", is the title cut for a film to be released this summer. Fellow South Carolina Gamecock, Paul Bernard, is one of the producers, and is responsible for blessing me with this awesome opportunity. It will play over the end of the film. I recorded it with my buddies in The Occasional Milkshake - Gary Greene, and Hank Futch. They are on most of the CD as well. The song is recorded as a duet with Danielle Howle.

Speaking of Danielle, we made an album together a few years ago that I am very proud to have been the producer of. Everything I have produced, including the recently released, DOUG JONES EVERYBODY, DOUG JONES, is linked at http://www.markbryanmusic.com/disco.asp

I am planning on doing some shows with the Milkshake this year. Doug and Danielle may join us as well. It's a fun show with a ton of good music. We are starting off here on the east coast, but if given the opportunity, we would love to take it everywhere.I have really enjoyed being involved with the Golf Channel T.V. show, ROAD TRIP: MYRTLE BEACH. Charlie Rymer, Josh Kelley, and Perry Swenson make up one of the best foursomes I've ever played in. We will be shooting 8 more episodes this year - stay tuned.passionately,Mark Bryan

Mark Bryan's Blog

March 3, 2008