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 Growing
up with Hank Williams, classic jazz, and then rock & roll before
returning to his country roots... learning to play bass during
college... appearing with the Greater Decatur Country Opry and local
dance bands... later a Nashville Sound Country Opry regular... Mark
Fisher has become a respected performer in Illinois country music
circles.
"Dad was a big Hank Williams fan, and I
remember him listening to country music on WHOW in Clinton whenever
we were in the car. Mom played the accordion -- I didn't know until
later she and her brothers and sister performed when they were
younger." So were the roots of Mark's musical background firmly
planted. The "career" started with the trumpet in the DeLand-Weldon
school bands.
 Although
not continuing with trumpet after high school, Mark did keep his
musical interests, taking up bass guitar and driving college
roommates nuts practicing along with albums from Elton John and
Chicago. During the 70's, Mark switched to country, filled in a few
times with the Lakelanders Opry in Bethany, worked a few times with
"R.C. and the Kountry Kolas" (better known as Rick Roy), and joined
the short-lived Greater Decatur Country Opry. In 1977, the "real
world" took over, and music took a back seat.
In 1989, Mark returned to country music as
bassist for the Nashville Sound Country Opry in Mason City,
Illinois. The future was bright as Mark won trophies from the
Illinois Country Music Association as "Non-Lead Instrumentalist" in
1991 and 1993, and as "Songwriter of the Year" in 1991. Today, as
the Director of Information Systems for Springfield, Illinois'
Marine Bank, and with an active family life, Mark still performs
with Pam and occasionally finds time to keep this web page updated!!
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