Mark McKay is an independent American songwriter; his influences include Nick Cave, Lucinda Williams, and Bob Dylan.
His new album “Mark McKay” is produced by Eric Ambel and includes the single “Waiting.”
The Mark McKay Band includes guitarist Eric “Roscoe” Ambel, bassist Keith Christopher, Drummer Phil Cimino, and poet “love I.E.D.”
1979 – took guitar lessons and played a black Les Paul copy during a brief solo set at a school event and would not leave the stage.
1982 – joined garage-band Headstone and played the Henry James Jr. High dance for a significant amount of money and attention for an 8th grader.
1984 – helped form Kwik Gesic and won a high school Battle of the Bands for slightly less money and attention.
1986 – produced and released an album of original folk songs with his sister, Christina McKay.
1987 – joined The Killer Green Band (KGB) with bassist Greg Koerner in Hamilton, NY and opened solo acoustic for Rick Danko.
1988 – formed the upstate NY power-trio Kruel Karma with bassist Tom Mullarkey and Drummer Ken Schopf. Kruel Karma released a self-produced album “Twentieth Century Blues” on cassette. Kruel Karma has performed recently with Steve “Hank” Henry joining on vocals and guitar.
1990 – formed Blue Karma with bassist Karl “Giff” Foster (RIP).
1992 – formed The McKays in Evanston, IL with his sister Christina and released the Tuey Connell produced album “Down on the Street.”
1996 – joined the Washington, DC band Sixty Acres and played lead guitar on their debut album, “Banjos and Sunshine.”
2001 – released his critically acclaimed debut album, “Nothing Personal” which was recorded in Boston with producer Ducky Carlisle and a band that included bassist Dimitri Fane, drummer Ken Schopf, and guitarist Mike Castellano. Mark’s solo version of St. Matthew appeared on “Papa Nez: A Tribute to the Work of Michael Nesmith” (Dren).
2002 – Mark’s rendition of Who’ll Stop the Rain recorded with guitarist Scott Murawski appeared as the lead track on “Chooglin’: A Tribute to the Songs of John Fogerty” (Dren).
2003 – released “Live From the Memory Hotel” recorded at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA with Kris Delmhorst on fiddle & vocals and the band June Star. His version of Fatal Wound produced by Ken Schopf appeared on “For Anyone That’s Listening, A Tribute to Uncle Tupelo” (Flat Earth) and his interpretation of I Know You Rider featuring Scott Murawski appeared on “Ain’t No Grave” (Dren), a compilation of traditional music.
2004 – released “Shimmer” produced by Eric Ambel.
2010 – released “Dakota Dust” produced by Eric Ambel.
2016 – released “Mark McKay” produced by Eric Ambel.