Mark D. Conklin

Mark D. Conklin is a singer/songwriter from New Jersey who describes himself “Like Springsteen…only funnier…but not NEARLY as cool!” His music is truly American, blending his background in classic rock and blues with the craft of Nashville songwriting which he has honed over the years in his second home, Music City, TN. Critics have described his songs as smart, satirical and soulful in the vein of Randy Newman, John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett. He writes lyrics for “people who are old enough to remember life before the internet.” As he puts it, “It’s not folk music, it’s GROWN folk music!” He has entertained audiences from the Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ. His performances mix a fair amount of clever storytelling and comedy along with a few heartbreaking songs. As one fan put it, “You’ll laugh until you cry!”

Mark has spent the better part of the last decade writing and producing songs for other artists but has just released his first full length solo album appropriately entitled, “It’s About Time.” He debuted the album at his sold out CD Release party to rave reviews on March 27, 2010 at the Watchung Arts Center in Watchung, NJ. Frank Mustac, Managing Editor of the Messenger-Gazette said, “Mark is the real thing. I was mesmerized. It’s a night I will remember for a very long time.” Melanie Thiel of WNTI Radio stated, “I’ve been to a lot of CD Release parties and this was by far the best one from start to finish!” Bob LaPointe of Metuchen attended the performance and said, “Listening to his songs felt like a tour of my own interior spaces. I was just blown away. I was sad, teared up a couple of times and laughed just as much!” The songs from the album consist of topics ranging from the comical (Lip Synch or Swim – a satirical look at a Milli Vanilli type pop sensation) to the sublime (September 12th – about the country in the immediate aftermath of 9/11). The performance at the CD Release party marked the beginning of a promotional tour including stops at the Princeton Arts Council and the Bitter End in NYC as part of the New York Songwriters Circle.

In the last few years, Conklin has had over 40 songs recorded by various artists including the title track of Shannon Curfman’s “Fast Lane Addiction” album which reached number eight on the Billboard Blues Chart. His music has been heard in film and television including the indie film “Karaoke King” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Mark has recently been nominated for several songwriting awards by organizations such as the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Billboard Magazine, the L.A. Music Awards and the New York Songwriters Circle. Most recently his song “Country Living”, which he produced and co-wrote, won the Independent Music Award for Country Song of the Year and the album (Cooper Boone's debut) has been nominated for Best Country Album at the L.A. Music Awards.

Mark continues to write and produce for other artists while filling his calendar with public appearances as an artist in support of his “It’s About Time” CD. He is in the process of booking performances as an opening act for several national touring acts at theaters throughout the tri-state area as well as several songwriter series and festivals.

1970 – Born the son of a poor black sharecropper in Mississippi.
(Okay to be honest, the son of a truck driver in Central New Jersey…the other one just sounds cooler.)

1978 - Plays catcher for the South Plainfield "C" Little League Astros. Team has winning record despite Mike Wolek's lackluster play. (Just keeping it real)

1983 – Heard the Beatles, picked up his first guitar, and hasn’t put it down since.
- Wrote his first song for Tina Dietz in the 8th grade but was too chicken to play it
for her. (P.S. He finally told her about it at his 20th High School Reunion.)
- Played first public appearance with a band (Mixed Deck) at the Middle School Talent Show.
Curtain closed as he played outro solo of "That's All" by Genesis. Coincidence or foreshadowing? You be the judge.

1993 – Voted Best Local Acoustic Guitarist by Creative Loafing Magazine.

1996 - After a three year funk comes out of retirement to lead the blues trio "The Bluebloods." The bass player is always late, the drummer is not happy, the band breaks up.

1998 – Became lead guitarist/singer for the wildly popular funk band “Velour” in
New Brunswick, NJ earning the nickname “White Chocolate.”

2002 – Produced first EP for rock and soul band “Sultry Jones” at Jim Hendrix’
world-famous Electric Lady Studios.

2005 - Married the woman of my dreams on an island. Yeah, she's Jersey!

2006 – Formed cover band “The Zen Masters.” Played “Brown Eyed Girl” 392,763
times (give or take). Met some great people and played some great venues.
– His song “How Do I Say Goodbye” is used as finale for motion picture
“Karaoke King” and appears at the Cannes Film Festival.

2007 – Co-wrote “Fast Lane Addiction” which became the title track of blues rocker
Shannon Curfman’s CD reaching number 8 on the Billboard Blues Charts.
– Formed Jive Buddha Music Publishing Company.

2008 – Selected for Skip Ewing’s Horse and Writer Invitational in Dubois, Wyoming
where he rode a horse for the first time. (it wasn’t pretty.)
– Selected as a finalist in the prestigious New York Songwriters Circle Contest and
performed at live finals at the Bitter End.
– Nominated for “Best Pop Song” at the L.A. Music Awards for Paige Williams
recording of “Welcome to My Life.” Song also appears in motion picture
“Wake” with Jane Seymour and Bijou Phillips.
- Composed theme song for actor John Ratzenberger's "Made in America" Tour (The Travel Channel).

2009 – Produced debut CD of TV personality Cooper Boone in Nashville, TN.
– Co-wrote and produced theme song for DKMS Leukemia Foundation Gala. Debuted at 2009 Annual Gala.
– Received “Honorable Mentions’ in Billboard and NSAI Songwriting Contests.

2010 – Released debut CD “It’s About Time” in April to a sold out theater at the Watchung Arts Center and received rave reviews!
- Wins "Country Song of the Year" by the IMA (Independent Music Awards) for the song "Country Living" which he co-wrote and produced.
- Nominated for "Best Country Album of the Year" (Producer) for "Cooper Boone" by the L.A. Music Awards.
- Created, co-produced and hosted "Nashville Hitmakers" series at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), NJ

2011 – "Santa Needs a Brand New Bag" is featured in the film "Walk a Mile in My Pradas" starring Tom Arnold and Bruce Vilanch.
- Country artist Amber Hayes released new single "Wait" to country radio, co-written by Mark, Amber, and Bill DiLuigi. The song reached the Top 40 on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart and Billboard Indicator Chart!
- Awarded "Best of Branchburg" Honoree for his work in music and the performing arts. The 17th Annual Best of Branchburg Awards is a prestigious honor sponsored by the Rotary Club of Branchburg, NJ.
- Opened for Grammy nominee and country recording artist Ty Herndon at the Algonquin Arts Theatre, NJ.
- Programmed and launched NJPAC internet radio.
- Producer and host of "The Stories Behind the Songs" radio program featuring professional and up & coming singer/songwriters.
- Founded Music City East, LLC, a full service entertainment and marketing company encompassing music production, publishing, artist management, development and consulting.
- Signed indie-folk internet sensation Mree to an exclusive artist management agreement with Music City East, LLC.
- Produced albums for several emerging artists including CMT's "Sweet Home Alabama" star Mike Short, Jr.

2012 - Three original songs are featured in the indie comedy "Halloween Party", two of which were commissioned for the film.

What’s ahead:

2013 - After years of stalking, Tim McGraw finally relents and records one of his songs.

2015 – He tries out and (surprisingly) wins Center Field position for the New York
Yankees. He bats over .300 but has to retire early due to a “bum knee” and
resumes his music career.

2019 – He wins the Grammy for “Best Album EVER!!!” (Take that Ricky Bobby!!!)

2045 – After a long successful career in the music business he retires to a little cottage on
the coast and spends his golden years wearing black socks with sandals and
yelling, “Hey goofballs, get off my lawn!” at local teenagers.