MARK DEREK

Never one to pass by an opportunity to demonstrate his vocal talents, Mark was invited to perform at a long-standing annual open-air charity event held in north London in 2002.  Carefully selecting a number of songs that in his opinion suited his style and voice, he used backing tracks for the first time, as opposed to performing with a band. The enthusiastic audience loved his performance and his choice of songs!’

A series of very promising and well-received ‘private function’ performances followed which fuelled Mark’s decision to advertise that he was now available as a self-contained solo act.  An agent soon enlisted him and Mark found himself suddenly working the club circuit. Predominantly recognised as a ‘Country’ vocalist Mark, had by this time, introduced to his repertoire a number of songs from the 50s, 60s & 70s to make himself more widely appealing.

Towards the end of that year and, due to public demand, Mark decided it was time to record his first professional CD album.  He chose a studio in Norfolk where he carefully compiled an album to demonstrate the style of songs you had come to associate him with.  The CD was completed in the early part of 2004…entitled ‘The Stage Is My World’ - tracks taken from it became regular plays on a number of local BBC Radio stations. 

Mark was now on the books of several agents and the work was pouring in. Mark recalls, “It wasn’t unusual to have four shows a weekend in those early days. A typical weekend would consist of a Friday night, a Saturday night, a Sunday lunchtime and a Sunday Evening. It was a killer - mentally and physically exhausting what with all the travelling too but, financially very rewarding!”

In addition to playing the club circuit, Mark was presented with new and exciting career opportunities.  His popularity was also bringing him to the attention of many local promoters and bookers.  Subsequently, a string of notable supports soon followed to a number of well-established names in ‘entertainment’ including 60’s bands HERMAN’S HERMITS, THE FOURMOST and VANITY FARE, legendary comedian JIMMY CRICKET and Irish entertainers SUSAN McCANN, BRENDAN SHINE, PHILOMENA BEGLEY, HELEN McCABE and THE INDIANS SHOWBAND.

Following the sad passing of his mother in August of that year, Mark turned to his profession as a way of overcoming his loss.  Mark says, ‘My mum was my No.1 fan and critic.  She had encouraged and supported me so much over the years and I knew she would continue to be beside me 100% of the way.’

Mark went on to fast establish himself as one of his region’s finest and most requested entertainers of his kind and was totally overwhelmed by the supportive and enthusiastic fan base that soon developed. Carefully crafted, compiled and presented with panache and polish, Mark’s live show comprised a popular blend of Country, 50s, 60s & 70s, predominantly appealing to the more mature audience.  His impressive vocal sound, versatility and warm stage persona were consistently admired in addition to his professionalism and experience. 2007 saw Mark notch up 90 shows in his first full year as a professional entertainer and saw him travel to 34 different towns and cities spread across 12 English counties.  2008 proved even better…topping 100 shows!

But sadly, it wouldn’t last forever. As a result of the smoking ban in public places which came into force in 2007 and, the economic recession which hit the country the following year, the entertainment industry went into decline. Many pubs and clubs were closing by the week and those which did survive either had to cut back on their entertainment or do away with it altogether. Mark says, “The scene was really changing – nothing remained the same anymore. The atmosphere had gone and there were often sparse audiences. Sometimes I found myself playing to less than 10 people some nights. It was soul destroying and extremely hard work. People just couldn't afford to come out, opting to stay in on Friday and Saturday nights and have a few drinks at home instead. The gigs were drastically drying up and what work did remain, artistes would fight for, many undercutting fellow entertainers just to secure it. Then cancellations would come in last minute and some weeks I would be left with no work whatsoever. I persevered with it under these conditions for the next couple of years or so but I was not enjoying it anymore. In fact, apart from a few cabaret spots for Warner Leisure Hotels, I only did one more prestigious show and that was in 2009 when I was asked to perform at the ‘National Feast of Lanterns’ – a weekend festival held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.  I appeared on the main stage as well as being solely booked to appear at the pre-festival dinner/dance. The latter was actually more fun as the main event was hit by the disappointing summer weather!

By mid-2011, Mark had become very disillusioned with the whole scene and knew it was just a matter of time before he called it a day on his professional singing career. Mark’s father had also been diagnosed with lung cancer around about the same time. Following an operation to remove a tumour, he subsequently ended up in hospital for some weeks. Mark recalls, “It really was a tough time and what didn’t help was I ended up with flu symptoms and laryngitis. I remember having to do a show in Luton one night and thinking I just wasn't in any fit state to do it. I was in fact so bad that I was unable to even make it through the first set! I felt very embarrassed and just wanted to get my equipment out of the venue as soon as I could. Sat in my car just about to drive home, I decided there and then to quit. Dad passed away just a week or so later. All in all, it was like an anti-climax to a musical era.”

Mark vows to never entirely turn his back on his musical career and says that the door is always open for a possible return to live performing one day in some shape or form. In the meantime, he doesn’t intend giving up the day job!