I have become lazy with my blog. This will not happen again I promise.

This summer has been my busiest so far. I have performed more this summer than I have ever before. I have been able to travel more than I have before, therefore I have received more speeding tickets this summer in a short amount of time than, you guessed it, ever before.

This past weekend I performed a myriad of interesting shows around the northwest. On Thursday July 16th I played a rather awkward show in Sandpoint Idaho at a venue named Three Glasses wine bar with my band mates pianist Parker Moosman and Bassist Dan Spalding. Why was it awkward you ask? Well, when we showed a couple hours or so before the show there was a rampous game of drunk-ass bingo in full swing. So naturally we sat down bought a pitcher and some Bingo cards and had ourselves a great time until it was time to perform. Unfortunately, once the bingo balls stop rolling the once raucous packed bar emptied out very quickly. Luckily, there was a small pack of amazing dancers that stuck around and everyone ended up having a great time!

The following night I performed with Sub Pop mega star Tiny Vipers at the Empyrean in Spokane WA. It was a good show with a solid crowd and no bingo cards (Thank God).

On Saturday, it was time for me to fulfill my duties as guitar player for Joel Smith and the Hands of Pleanty. We performed at the Basin Summer sounds festival in Ephrata, WA at 9:15 in the morning (that's right you heard me, 9:15 A.M.). I must say this is a very well put together event. Large stage, large beer garden, 3-on-3 basketball tourney, inflatable castles! The highlight of this show for me was that Ephrata has a great independent bookstore named the Bookery that I was able to peruse around in (I purchased the new Dave Eggers book which I am pretty excited about). Later that night we drove to Sandpoint ID and performed a crazy bar show at Downtown Crossing, and I drank Absinthe for the first time....my arms felt funny.

On Monday we performed at Zola in Spokane, and it was.....fun.

On Tuesday Parker, Dan and I performed outside at the Rocket Market, there was a great crowd there and a ton of energy whisping around the parking lot/music venue, and then a neighbor called the police and complained about the noise which meant that it was time to unplug and perform completely un-amplified. This was a new experience for me. I felt like the many street buskers across the world clamoring for attention (and money). It turned out to be one of my favorite shows I have ever played! Everyone in the audience was very understanding and just plain nice and I feel we played very well.

On a side note I have begun work on my first full length album, stay tuned for updates.

Thanks to everyone for the support,

Mark

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to perform at the Folklife festival in the Seattle Center. If you have never had the chance to attend the spectacular event you should put it on your calender for memorial day! There are a bunch of different stages with a ton of musicians and music from around the world, from Balken to jugband, if you can imagine it, you can hear it. My favorite part of Folklife is the outstanding street musicians and performers. There is nothing like walking through a crowded park and turning my head to the right to see beautiful belly dancers and then turning my to left to see a tap dancing gypsy....good times.

My small portion of this extravaganza was a "Songwriter in the Round" concert on Sunday. I took the stage with two very talented young songwriters, Jerin Falkner (www.jerinfalkner.com) and Laurie Katherine Carlsson (www.myspace.com/lkcband). The crowd was great! It was a packed house and everyone was so attentive and nice. I hope I am able to make a return appearance at Folklife next year!

Also............this is me at a Mariner game wearing a strangers foam finger I quietly abducted...

Hello everyone,

Allow myself to introduce....myself.

My name is Mark Ward and this would be my blog. This is the place to go for the latest and greatest updates on my "budding" music career. Here is an update on what I have going right now:

I'm currently eating my breakfast: Bagel covered in peanut butter, coffee, sliced apples and OJ. (Same breakfast I have everyday)...delicious. My puppy is quietly asleep next to me....He's quiet except for his surprising loud snore that he possess.

If you didn't know I released a new 4 song E.P. last fall named "Little Lights"

It's received some great feedback and i am very proud of it. If you get a chance check it out!

Also, here is a list of my upcoming shows, some are solo and some are with a full band...I always have a great time performing and I hope you have a great time attending, (at my show or at any show you ever attend):

May 22 2009 9:00P

Rain Lounge Spokane, Washington

May 24 2009 5:30P

Northwest Folklife-Cafe Impromtu Seattle, Washington

Jun 1 2009 7:00P

Empyrean with Laura Gibson, MUSEE MECANIQUE, Karli Fairbanks! Spokane, Washington

Jun 12 2009 9:00P

3 glasses with Jason Spooner Sandpoint, Idaho

Jun 13 2009 7:00P

Rocket Market Spokane, Washington

Jun 15 2009 8:00P

Zola Spokane, Washington

Jun 20 2009 5:00P

Vin du Lac Winery Lake Chelan, Washington

Jul 21 2009 7:00P

Rocket Market Spokane, Washington

Aug 15 2009 7:00P

Rocket Market Spokane, Washington

Aug 29 2009 5:00P

Vin du Lac Winery Lake Chelan, Washington

I am also planning on getting into the studio to record a full length/fullband album this summer as well. I will keep you abreast of the latest songs and developments in regards to the new album!

One last thing (I promise), I am working out a short tour schedule right now so if anyone has any towns or venue suggestions let me know!

Thank you so much for all your support!

Mark

Hello my friendly blog readers,

The sommy awards are upon us again.. For those of you in the dark, a sommy is a local award given by Spokane music writer Isamu Jordan. I have been nominated in the past and sadly didn't win, but as the saying goes....."there's always next year!" Next year is now and I am nominated for the Best Artist award. There are some amazing musicians in that category and I am truly honored to be considered in the same company. If you are unfamiliar with the other artists I strongly encourage you to check them out!

This years sommies are a little different then in the past. YOU have say! Thats right I said YOU.

You can vote for you favorites and even little ol' me at VOTE

thanks bunches
Mark

Hey everyone, I recently have received some encouraging and exciting news. My song "Sunlight" has been chosen to be a finalist for the Susquehanna music and arts festival songwriting contest. They pick about 8 to 10 finalist to go and perform their songs on the opening night of the festival and then a panel of judges pick a winner. "What does the winner get?" you ask. A full set the next night of the festival and straight cash homie..(or check.....homie). The festival is located in Darlington, Maryland, which means this is the farthest away road gig I have ever played by about 3000 miles. I am pretty excited about it. I feel as a songwriter I have never really known if my songs are actually any good. This opportunity has giving me a little bit of encouragement and reassurance that I am not completely wasting my time believing I am a songwriter when I am actually a plummer or landscaper (both respectable careers, and probably more lucrative then songwriting). I digress, the point was I am honored, syked and can’t wait to perform at the Susquehanna music and arts festival...If anyone is in the area come by and say hi. Thank you for your time.

Mark