SedonaEye.com contributing writer, Hollywood Jim, and fan

When asked to cover Mark Growden’s performance at Studio Live, I first had to check out the man with the banjo and accordion. I did my usual YouTube search and discovered Mark’s “Coyote” video. The song is haunting and the video, the genius of Christiane Cegavske, is unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Mr. Growden’s voice is rich and clear and his talent on the banjo and accordion is flawless, well, there was that Appalachian from the movie “Deliverance” who had my attention, but Mark Growden wins, hands down! I know what I like. Some of Growden’s music reminds me of Russia and the Czech Republic; it has a certain ‘history” to it that brings dreams to mind. Growden says he chose the banjo because of its history in American music, and the banjo is front and center in his new CD release “Lose Me In The Sand” recorded right here in Tucson, Arizona and available next week.

“Though Growden captures the sorrow and sincerity of a high lonesome crooner, his unique instrumental blend of Dixieland, Frontierland, and gypsy caravan band inhabits a genre all its own.” – SF Bay Guardian – and another said: “Theatrical, dark and sexy.” – West Coast Performer 

IMG_0553  Click here to see a short clip of Mark’s Sedona Live interview. 

Growden hails from an old logging town near the Sierra Nevada/Cascade Divide. Small town folk always rock but the sense of history Mark Growden brings to the table is crafted for longevity in your MP3 and CD players. I asked Mark for his impression of the music scene in Sedona, and he said that after driving through once, he wanted to come back so was more than happy to oblige with Studio Live onboard as host for a Sedona venue. 

I also asked Mark his take on “networking” within the music industry: Growden acknowledged the value of the Internet in getting his music out there, but this dude is real and said that he does prefer the organic manner of networking. Organic? What does that mean, I asked Mark? He put out his hand and said, “Nice to meet ya!”  

That’s what I like, keeping it real and not building a fence between Growden music and fans. Count me in!

Mark Growden

“Saint Judas” Mark’s first CD and his newest CD release “Lose Me In The Sand” can be purchased at peter@portofrancorecords.com, and of course, check out Mark Growden on Facebook. You most definitely will want to see the Mark Growden/Christiane Cegavske “Coyote” video on YouTube!

Lastly, a Shout Out to Studio Live for hosting great talent here in our Sedona backyard. Be sure to check out The Sedona Eye’s Calendar of Events for daily listings of not-to-be-missed Arizona happenings at www.SedonaEye.com. You’ll find information about upcoming visiting artists and where to be to make it all go down! Follow the best read in town, Hollywood Jim and my Out and About column weekly, on the Eye!