"Blues is steeped in tradition, but there are new talents coming to the blues all the time, such a new talent is Mark Cook" Phoenix Blues Society. "Cook's versatility and maturity will surely garner him some big-time attention soon, as the blues world is always looking for someone of his depth and potential" Indie-Music. Mark is the recipient of the 'Just Plain Folks' BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR - and has also been awarded sixth place in the BLUES SONG OF THE YEAR - for "All Your Lovin." Much of Mark's earlier years as a child were spent on the road, touring around the country side of the United States and Canada in a musical up-bringing. Known as the "Dale and Vicki Duo", a popular jazz and blues act, Mark's mom alongside his stepfather performed nightly. This sort of musical gypsy lifestyle must have set the foundation for what would be a life long love for the blues style music. At the age of 15, Mark settled in Indiana and began crafting his skills as a serious musician. While his main emphasis was on guitar, he also taught himself to play bass and piano. He also began dabbling in 4-track demos, recording many of his earlier compositions. His love for writing and recording eventually led to building a professional recording studio in his house where he wrote, engineered, produced, and recorded his debut CD "An Evening With The Blues." An accomplished and dynamic performer on guitar, Mark has performed and recorded in many bands over the years. Playing different genres of music such as: rock, jazz, and blues. In 1992, he was lead guitarist and songwriter in the rock band Silhouette. They recorded at the Bennett House in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Kenny Mimms (who also produced Jimi Jamison from the rock group Survivor). Mark has also done some television work and was featured in a TV commercial for the radio station WZZQ 107.5 in Indiana. Mark's band, the Cook-N-Blues Experience, has played clubs in the midwest for the past year, entertaining standing room only crowds with the music of blues greats such as: Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but also many of Mark's original music. As the band's slogan states "Blues With A Flair - Experience It - You Won't Believe Your Ears." For his debut CD "An Evening With The Blues" Mark wanted to capture the old style of blues from many different perspectives. As stated by Indie-Music, "The twelve song CD is rich in balance and heritage which makes this debut CD a sheer delight cut after cut." "An Evening With The Blues" has received great reviews by such publications as Blues Access, Blues Revue, and Vintage Guitar Magazine as well as many on-line blues publications. Mark's second CD "The Promise Highway" (June 2002) has taken his writing to the next level. This new release is packed with killer songs,soulful vocals and aggressive guitar with great dynamics. THIS IS BLUES WITH A FLAIR. This CD will surely please all blues enthusiasts.