THE ILLINOIS COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION'S
1991 & 1993 "INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR"
& 1991 "SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR"

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. After retiring as the Director of Information Systems for Springfield, Illinois' Marine Bank, Mark has a long "honey-do" list and occasionally finds time to keep this web page updated!!