Mark Bryan

Introduction

Mark William Bryan (born May 6, 1967) is a founding member, songwriter, and the lead guitarist for the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish. In 1986, Mark and his friend Darius Rucker formed a duo called The Wolf Brothers while attending the University of South Carolina. Eventually, friends Dean Felber and Jim Sonefeld joined the band, which led to the founding of Hootie & the Blowfish in 1989. Mark has spent the last 25 years recording and touring and also has two solo albums to his credit, “30 on the Rail”and “End of the Front.” His third solo album, “Songs of the Fortnight,” is set to release on August 11th, 2017. Bryan has produced 5 full- length albums, co-writes, and produces countless songs for various regional artists.

Early life

Mark William Bryan was born in Silver Spring, Maryland with his sister, Lynn. Bryan attended Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland and received his Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of South Carolina in 1989. While attending the university, he collaborated with country artist, Darius Rucker to create an acoustic duo band called The Wolf Brothers. From there they grew to form a new band named Hootie & the Blowfish with friends Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld.

Wolf Brothers

Mark Bryan and his friend Darius Rucker formed a duo called The Wolf Brothers in 1986 while attending the University of South Carolina. Eventually, their friend Dean Felber joined the band as well.

Hootie & The Blowfish

"Hootie and the Blowfish " is an American rock band formed at the University of South Carolina by Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld, and Mark Bryan in 1989. As of July 2010, the band had charted sixteen singles on various Billboard singles charts and recorded five studio albums; and their 1994 debut album, “Cracked Rear View”, was the 16th-best-selling album of all time in the US, having been certified platinum 16 times. They have sold over 21 million albums in the United States alone. “Cracked Rear View” went on to earn the Billboard's Band of the Year Award in 1996 and the RIAA's Diamond Award for sales of 10 million units. “Cracked Rear View” remains the 12th best selling album in music business history, and all albums combined have moved over 25 million worldwide. The band has since gone their separate ways, however Hootie & The Blowfish still perform together numerous times each year. Mark is a consistent participant in the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament. All proceeds from this tournament go to the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation which makes donations to education and junior golf charities. Hootie & the Blowfish also holds Hootie HomeGrown, an annual event in which they perform a concert to benefit area schools. HomeGrown will hold their 12th annual show in August 2017.

Solo Career

Since moving to Charleston, South Carolina in 1999, Bryan has produced full-length albums, as well as co-written and produced countless songs for other artists. He was also instrumental in founding the College of Charleston Radio Station, and is helping to develop a music industry concentration there.

In 2001 Bryan founded Carolina Studios, a local nonprofit after school music recording and technology program that helps children ages 8–18 thrive in music and the arts. Bryan is consistently involved in the program, and became a chairman on the board of Carolina Studios in 2007.

In 2012 Bryan teamed up with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin to create Pro-Am Jam, a yearly beneficial golf event for the Denny Hamlin Foundation, Carolina Studios, and Student Transportation of America Education Foundation. Every year, celebrities in golf, music, racing and more come out for a unique experience that combines music with world class golf.

In 2009 Mark created Chucktown Music Group, partnering with long-time friend Ashley Flowers in 2014. Chucktown Music Group offers a wide variety of services to local artists including music licensing, promotion, marketing and industry connection. Mark offers his outstanding musicianship, tour experience, musical ear, artistic guidance and songwriting ability while Ashley provides her expertise in marketing promotions and band management.

Mark has also created, executive produced, and hosted a Southeast Emmy Award winning show called Live at the Charleston Music Hall. Live at the Charleston Music Hall is a half hour show packed full of superior songwriting, award winning artists, a little Q & A, and scenes from one of the most historic cities in the nation". The show airs on SCETV.

Along with his many other solo ventures, Mark created a band with Hank Futch of The Blue Dogs and Gary Greene of Cravin Melon. One of their songs, “The Great Beyond” is the theme song for Live at the Charleston Music Hall. 


==Discography==

"Production Credits"

"With Hootie & The Blowfish"

References

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