Saturday, October 5 from 5 – 6 pm, L.L.Bean Discovery Park Stage
In the tradition of banjo-pickin’ humorists from Uncle Dave Macon to String Bean, Hallowell’s multi-instrumentalist Mark Horn brings you The Bank Mules, buoyant live string band show.
When Mark was asked to be part of the project that became the Grammy-nominated children’s album I Love—Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow, he knew it would be big fun. But he had no idea it would lead to a friendship with one of country music’s most beloved songwriters, a band of his own, and a CD.
“I feel really fortunate that I got to know Tom T. while we were recording I Love,” says Mark. “He was extremely complimentary of the cover of ‘The Song of the One-Legged Chicken’ that I did. So when I got the idea for this disc, it gave me enough nerve to ask if he had any songs he thought might work. He and Miss Dixie were kind enough to let us use not only the title cut, but two others as well, and I am honored.”
Serious music about comical stuff
“I love traditional country music and the stories it tells,” continues Mark. “That’s why it was so important to me to make something that’s authentic.”
Among those honoring the tradition on the record are Mark’s main musical collaborator, Supe Granda; his former partner in the Derailers’ rhythm section, Ed Adkins; IBMA award winner Mike Bubb; Jayhawks keyboardist Jen Gunderman; and Old Crow Medicine Show fiddler Ketch Secor. The live show includes Andy Buckland on upright bass and Paul Dalessio on fiddle.
“I’m extremely thankful to everyone that contributed their talents to making these songs feel as though they would have been right at home on the Opry back in the twenties or thirties,” concludes Mark. “I hope people have as much fun listening to it as we had making it.”
About Mark Horn
Multi-instrumentalist Mark Horn was raised in Toledo, Ohio, by parents who fled the post-war poverty of Eastern Kentucky’s coal country along the very same Hillbilly Highway made famous in Dwight Yoakam’s song “Readin’, Rightin’, Route 23.” Mark took up the banjo in high school and was an eager student of the many great transplanted pickers who made up the vibrant Toledo bluegrass community.
Following college, Mark headed to New York City and, as a member of roots rock pioneers The Blue Chieftains (Diesel Only Records), quickly became a fixture on the Lower East Side’s burgeoning alt-country scene.
Mark is best known as the longtime drummer for Americana favorites The Derailers. Less well known is that at many of their more than 250 shows per year, The Derailers served as their own opening act, The Lazy Boys, with Mark on banjo.
While on tour with The Garbonzos, Mark spread the gospel of the 5-string as far as Isisaki City, Japan. His innovative banjo stylings can also be heard on Lonesome Bob’s record Things Fall Apart, on the tribute album I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow, and in regular performances of his musical combo, The 13 String Band.
Mark has toured with Rockabilly Hall of Famer Sonny Burgess, as well as with Grammy winners The Amazing Rhythm Aces and Carlene Carter. He’s recorded with The Derailers, Todd Snider and Patti Griffin, and shares production credits on recordings of Mark & Mark and Supe & the Sandwiches.
FMI: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090737840666
