Mark Lee Townsend

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Mark Lee Townsend
Mark Lee Townsend playing an acoustic set at Cornerstone Festival 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Mark Lee Townsend
Origin	U.S.
Genre(s)	Rock, Christian Rock
Years active	1986–Present
Associated acts	dc Talk Jennifer Knapp Bash 'N The Code Zilch

Mark Lee Townsend was well-known as a guitarist for the Christian rock band dc Talk. He was also a member/singer/guitarist/songwriter for the 80's Pop/Christian band^[1] Bash 'N The Code from 1986 through 1991. Mark also helped form the band Ulterior Motives in Columbus, OH which included childhood friend, Craig Howard. In between dc Talk tours, he was a lead guitarist for the Christian artist Jennifer Knapp. He creatively added more life to her already well-written songs. At the Cornerstone Festival 2000, he appeared doing an acoustic act where he ended his show with a rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Dan Gartley, bassist of the band Sanctus Real, has been labeled his protege^[2]. Dan was lucky enough to stumble across Mark during his years in college leading him to a break into the Christian music industry^[3]. Mark was also the guitarist for the band Zilch for a short time.

After dc Talk went on an extended hiatus, Townsend took to producing. He produced [Jennifer Knapp Live] in 2006, as seen on jenniferknapp.com^[4], as well as producing and engineering two full-length albums for the Christian rock band The Wedding. He also produced The O.C. Supertones' 2004 album "The Revenge Of The Supertones". He is also the producer of four albums and multiple smaller releases by Relient K, and also produced three tracks on their fifth album, Five Score and Seven Years Ago, as well. Townsend and Relient K have been quoted as being like family, as Relient K guitarist Matt Hoopes is married to Townsend's daughter.^[5]

A sideman's greatest asset is the chameleon-like ability to adapt to a variety of musical genres as well as imitate the signature sounds of other players. On the other hand, a session player has truly reached the top of the profession when he's in demand to add his own signature sound to a recording or live tour.^[6]

Mark Townsend is one of those rare players who is in demand both for his eclectic background and for his signature sounds. Armed with an arsenal of Gibson guitars, the veteran of the contemporary Christian scene is equally at home in the studio with Steve Taylor and Grover Levy or on tour with multi-platinum hip-hop group dc Talk (in support of Jesus Freak). Among the guitars he uses are a Fender Telecaster, and a Paul Reed Smith CE24, along with his several Gibsons.

In May of 2006 Mark started his own music label, Brave New World. He signed both Christian Rock artist The Wedding and Deas Vail.