THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION'S
1991 & 1993 "INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR"
& 1991 "SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR"
Growing up with Hank Williams, classic
jazz, and then rock & roll before returning to his country
roots... learning to play bass during college... appearing
with the Greater Decatur Country Opry and local dance
bands... later a Nashville Sound Country Opry regular...
Mark Fisher has become a respected performer in Illinois
country music circles.
"Dad was a big Hank Williams fan, and
I remember him listening to country music on WHOW in Clinton
whenever we were in the car. Mom played the accordion -- I
didn't know until later she and her brothers and sister
performed when they were younger." So were the roots of
Mark's musical background firmly planted. The "career"
started with the trumpet in the DeLand-Weldon school bands.
Although not continuing with trumpet
after high school, Mark did keep his musical interests,
taking up bass guitar and driving college roommates nuts
practicing along with albums from Elton John and Chicago.
During the 70's, Mark switched to country, filled in a few
times with the Lakelanders Opry in Bethany, worked a few
times with "R.C. and the Kountry Kolas" (better known as
Rick Roy), and joined the short-lived Greater Decatur
Country Opry. In 1977, the "real world" took over, and music
took a back seat.
In 1989, Mark returned to country
music as bassist for the Nashville Sound Country Opry in
Mason City, Illinois. The future was bright as Mark won
trophies from the Illinois Country Music Association as
"Non-Lead Instrumentalist" in 1991 and 1993, and as
"Songwriter of the Year" in 1991. After retiring as the Director of
Information Systems for Springfield, Illinois' Marine Bank,
Mark
has a long "honey-do" list and occasionally finds time to keep this web page updated!! |