MARK CAMERON
''ONE WAY RIDE TO THE BLUES''
JANUARY 1 2014
44:07
1. The Wild Side/4:17
2. Cheating/5:08
3. Something On the Side/3:58
4. My Way/3:42
5. Prelude (In This House)/0:42
6. In This House/4:28
7. Life Is Good When You've Got the Blues/2:48
8. Are You Gonna Dance?/4:16
9. Somebody Once/3:56
10. Never Get Enough/5:14
11. One Way Ride to the Blues/5:38
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Mark Cameron - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter
Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Mark Cameron has been active in live music for over thirty years. He began his performing career in the rich folk-rock scene of the early 1970’s and brought this influence into several bands he founded during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Today, Mark’s focus is centered on crafting original Blues songs with strong melodies and memorable lyrics. The range of his material stretches the Blues genre beyond the standard comfort zone with a focus on “foot stompin, butt shakin” music that resonates with a live audience.
After five studio releases in the 1980’s and 90’s, Mark turned his focus to the Blues. In 2009, the song "Boxcar Blues," from “Life of Illusion” became an instant classic and packs the dance floor at live performances every time. In 2011, Mark released the ambitious project, “Built to Bust,” featuring the hipster-swing classic “Do Lovin Right” and the Chicago-Blues romp “Tough All Over.” Mark’s newest release, “One Way Ride To The Blues,” is slated for release this spring. The Mark Cameron Band is consistently a top finisher in Blues competitions over the past several years.
Known as a charismatic front man and soulful guitarist, Mark engages his audience directly in live performances and delivers his original compositions with a mix of sincerity, honesty and often a touch of humor. He is equally at home on acoustic or electrified instruments and retains producer credits on all of his recorded projects. Mark's vocal range stretches from basement baritone to full-on growl, with lyrics that draw the listener in and paint a picture of the many worlds within the Blues.
Bill Keyes - Harmonica, Vocals
The newest member of the Mark Cameron Band on harmonica and vocals is Bill Keyes, and he is excited to bring that sweet blues harp sound to the band. Bill has been a student of the blues for about 15 years, but was well into establishing his career and family before pursuing music seriously. His musical siblings provided a good foundation at a young age, so when he decided to get serious about playing, the learning came quickly. Workshops at the Harmonica Masterclass School of the Blues with David Barrett in California and classes with Joe Filisko at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago provided a solid foundation for harmonica technique. Locally, lessons with Clint Hoover at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor and vocal training at the West Bank School of Music helped build on that foundation and according to Bill, “It's been a lot of fun getting ready to do this!”
Bill is a dedicated father of two, with a son in college and the other near the top of her high school class. "That is an extraordinary achievement,” says Bill, “since she also has the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis. I'm so proud of her - what a great kid!” Bill often travels for his professional career, which limits his playing time, but he sneaks in practice time on some of his longer road trips to keep expanding his playing technique. "A lot of people own a harmonica because they like the sound," Bill explains, "but to me, playing this instrument is about refined technique and big tone, which can take a lot of work to develop." Bill's playing style and vocal range is a rich addition to the performance of the Mark Cameron Band's original pieces.
Scott Lundberg - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Originally from Houston, Scott Lundberg began classical piano training at the age of 6 and added guitar, bass, trombone, organ and tuba to his repertoire along the way. He progressed from his first garage band, New Dawn, at age 14, to high school and college concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, orchestras, pit orchestras, school and church choirs. He has played bass guitar, tuba and keyboards in many working bands along the way, including Hurricane Hash (Dixieland), Liberation (brass rock), Rasputin (alternative rock), Hearts of Praise (gospel), 2nd Exit (electric blues), American Outlaws (classic rock), Top Shelf (electric blues), the Jennifer Springer Blues Band and since 2009, the Mark Cameron Band.
Scott has played venues including the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul and Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis during his five-year tenure with the Minnesota State Concert Band. In his rock and blues bands, he has appeared on the same bill with Three Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, Willie Dixon, Indigenous and Corey Stevens.
Scott is also known as “THUNDER” and “BIG MAN” (with profuse apologies to the REAL big man, the late Clarence Clemons), and uses the tagline “Bass lines like a big, funky giant.” His drink of choice these days is usually Bass Ale - what else would a bassist drink?
John Benedict - Drums, Vocals
John Benedict's musical training began when he was old enough to reach the pedals on the piano. From the age of 7 to 9, he took lessons and learned that practice was essential. By age 9, John decided drumming was truly his love for musical expression and his school bands benefited by that decision. From the ages of 15 to 17, John began private lessons and trained with Elliot Fine from the Minnesota Orchestra.
Following high school, John began playing with Mark Cameron and the two worked together in several bands during the early 80's. John's drumming included playing for The Attitudes and then Citizens Patrol until 1985, when he left to pursue musical interests with artists in addition to Mark. RR Express was added to his list as he played throughout the 90's with various bands performing original and cover tunes.
In 2007, John and Mark decided to begin a new project and started to work on original music for the Mark Cameron Band. With more than 40 years invested in playing, John says, "I'm proud to say that I'm better at many aspects of my craft in my fifties than I was in my mid twenties when I was gigging four nights a week." John is an outdoorsman, car enthusiast and is dedicated to his family. He lives in Bloomington with his wife, Carol.
Sheri Cameron - Flute, Percussion, Vocals
Ask Sheri Cameron and she will tell you she is not a musician by nature or instinct. There are those who might argue that. Ask her husband and band mate, Mark Cameron, and he will tell you that is precisely why she works so well as a member of the Mark Cameron Band: “Sheri does not have a musician’s inflated ego and will do whatever a song needs to sound better, without going overboard”.
Sheri's first studio recording was the memorable flute solo on the 1990 release, “Can’t Take Another Night.” This song, from the CD “Range of Emotion,” became a popular song on Minneapolis radio and first brought Sheri to the stage as a member of the 1990’s Minneapolis band “Citizen’s Patrol.”
After years of helping her husband load in and load out to play live music and record albums, she finally decided, “If I am going to help haul this stuff, I might as well play it too!” Sheri has proved to be a crowd favorite over the past few years as a flute player and percussion guru.
Today Sheri plays flute, bongos, shaker, guiro, tambourine, washboard, chimes and whatever else a song might call for. She provides female vocal parts and lyrical input in the recording studio as well. Sheri puts the “tasty” in the Mark Cameron Band.
Album Notes
by cdbaby
The third studio album from Mark Cameron brings a stripped-down grit that makes for a down-and-dirty bluezy biscuit. Loaded with searing harp licks and sassy guitar hooks, the band shows why they are a festival and club favorite. They have consistently been top finishers in blues competitions and its the original song writing that puts the Mark Cameron Band over the top. This new work captures the true feel of their live performances from the naughty and suggestive "Something On The Side" to the Gospel inspired classic "In This House". The inspired work of Bill Keyes on Harp makes this a tour-de-force for Blues harp lovers. The flute playing of Sheri Cameron adds a Woodstock-era flair to the work as well. The band has been called a "treasure" by reviewers from Blue Monday Monthly. Mark Camerons colorful lyrics set the tone for another voyage into their boogie-based hipster-swing world.
''ONE WAY RIDE TO THE BLUES''
JANUARY 1 2014
44:07
1. The Wild Side/4:17
2. Cheating/5:08
3. Something On the Side/3:58
4. My Way/3:42
5. Prelude (In This House)/0:42
6. In This House/4:28
7. Life Is Good When You've Got the Blues/2:48
8. Are You Gonna Dance?/4:16
9. Somebody Once/3:56
10. Never Get Enough/5:14
11. One Way Ride to the Blues/5:38
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Mark Cameron - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter
Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Mark Cameron has been active in live music for over thirty years. He began his performing career in the rich folk-rock scene of the early 1970’s and brought this influence into several bands he founded during the 1980’s and 1990’s. Today, Mark’s focus is centered on crafting original Blues songs with strong melodies and memorable lyrics. The range of his material stretches the Blues genre beyond the standard comfort zone with a focus on “foot stompin, butt shakin” music that resonates with a live audience.
After five studio releases in the 1980’s and 90’s, Mark turned his focus to the Blues. In 2009, the song "Boxcar Blues," from “Life of Illusion” became an instant classic and packs the dance floor at live performances every time. In 2011, Mark released the ambitious project, “Built to Bust,” featuring the hipster-swing classic “Do Lovin Right” and the Chicago-Blues romp “Tough All Over.” Mark’s newest release, “One Way Ride To The Blues,” is slated for release this spring. The Mark Cameron Band is consistently a top finisher in Blues competitions over the past several years.
Known as a charismatic front man and soulful guitarist, Mark engages his audience directly in live performances and delivers his original compositions with a mix of sincerity, honesty and often a touch of humor. He is equally at home on acoustic or electrified instruments and retains producer credits on all of his recorded projects. Mark's vocal range stretches from basement baritone to full-on growl, with lyrics that draw the listener in and paint a picture of the many worlds within the Blues.
Bill Keyes - Harmonica, Vocals
The newest member of the Mark Cameron Band on harmonica and vocals is Bill Keyes, and he is excited to bring that sweet blues harp sound to the band. Bill has been a student of the blues for about 15 years, but was well into establishing his career and family before pursuing music seriously. His musical siblings provided a good foundation at a young age, so when he decided to get serious about playing, the learning came quickly. Workshops at the Harmonica Masterclass School of the Blues with David Barrett in California and classes with Joe Filisko at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago provided a solid foundation for harmonica technique. Locally, lessons with Clint Hoover at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor and vocal training at the West Bank School of Music helped build on that foundation and according to Bill, “It's been a lot of fun getting ready to do this!”
Bill is a dedicated father of two, with a son in college and the other near the top of her high school class. "That is an extraordinary achievement,” says Bill, “since she also has the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis. I'm so proud of her - what a great kid!” Bill often travels for his professional career, which limits his playing time, but he sneaks in practice time on some of his longer road trips to keep expanding his playing technique. "A lot of people own a harmonica because they like the sound," Bill explains, "but to me, playing this instrument is about refined technique and big tone, which can take a lot of work to develop." Bill's playing style and vocal range is a rich addition to the performance of the Mark Cameron Band's original pieces.
Scott Lundberg - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Originally from Houston, Scott Lundberg began classical piano training at the age of 6 and added guitar, bass, trombone, organ and tuba to his repertoire along the way. He progressed from his first garage band, New Dawn, at age 14, to high school and college concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, orchestras, pit orchestras, school and church choirs. He has played bass guitar, tuba and keyboards in many working bands along the way, including Hurricane Hash (Dixieland), Liberation (brass rock), Rasputin (alternative rock), Hearts of Praise (gospel), 2nd Exit (electric blues), American Outlaws (classic rock), Top Shelf (electric blues), the Jennifer Springer Blues Band and since 2009, the Mark Cameron Band.
Scott has played venues including the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul and Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis during his five-year tenure with the Minnesota State Concert Band. In his rock and blues bands, he has appeared on the same bill with Three Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, Willie Dixon, Indigenous and Corey Stevens.
Scott is also known as “THUNDER” and “BIG MAN” (with profuse apologies to the REAL big man, the late Clarence Clemons), and uses the tagline “Bass lines like a big, funky giant.” His drink of choice these days is usually Bass Ale - what else would a bassist drink?
John Benedict - Drums, Vocals
John Benedict's musical training began when he was old enough to reach the pedals on the piano. From the age of 7 to 9, he took lessons and learned that practice was essential. By age 9, John decided drumming was truly his love for musical expression and his school bands benefited by that decision. From the ages of 15 to 17, John began private lessons and trained with Elliot Fine from the Minnesota Orchestra.
Following high school, John began playing with Mark Cameron and the two worked together in several bands during the early 80's. John's drumming included playing for The Attitudes and then Citizens Patrol until 1985, when he left to pursue musical interests with artists in addition to Mark. RR Express was added to his list as he played throughout the 90's with various bands performing original and cover tunes.
In 2007, John and Mark decided to begin a new project and started to work on original music for the Mark Cameron Band. With more than 40 years invested in playing, John says, "I'm proud to say that I'm better at many aspects of my craft in my fifties than I was in my mid twenties when I was gigging four nights a week." John is an outdoorsman, car enthusiast and is dedicated to his family. He lives in Bloomington with his wife, Carol.
Sheri Cameron - Flute, Percussion, Vocals
Ask Sheri Cameron and she will tell you she is not a musician by nature or instinct. There are those who might argue that. Ask her husband and band mate, Mark Cameron, and he will tell you that is precisely why she works so well as a member of the Mark Cameron Band: “Sheri does not have a musician’s inflated ego and will do whatever a song needs to sound better, without going overboard”.
Sheri's first studio recording was the memorable flute solo on the 1990 release, “Can’t Take Another Night.” This song, from the CD “Range of Emotion,” became a popular song on Minneapolis radio and first brought Sheri to the stage as a member of the 1990’s Minneapolis band “Citizen’s Patrol.”
After years of helping her husband load in and load out to play live music and record albums, she finally decided, “If I am going to help haul this stuff, I might as well play it too!” Sheri has proved to be a crowd favorite over the past few years as a flute player and percussion guru.
Today Sheri plays flute, bongos, shaker, guiro, tambourine, washboard, chimes and whatever else a song might call for. She provides female vocal parts and lyrical input in the recording studio as well. Sheri puts the “tasty” in the Mark Cameron Band.
Album Notes
by cdbaby
The third studio album from Mark Cameron brings a stripped-down grit that makes for a down-and-dirty bluezy biscuit. Loaded with searing harp licks and sassy guitar hooks, the band shows why they are a festival and club favorite. They have consistently been top finishers in blues competitions and its the original song writing that puts the Mark Cameron Band over the top. This new work captures the true feel of their live performances from the naughty and suggestive "Something On The Side" to the Gospel inspired classic "In This House". The inspired work of Bill Keyes on Harp makes this a tour-de-force for Blues harp lovers. The flute playing of Sheri Cameron adds a Woodstock-era flair to the work as well. The band has been called a "treasure" by reviewers from Blue Monday Monthly. Mark Camerons colorful lyrics set the tone for another voyage into their boogie-based hipster-swing world.