Mark Merryman, Singer Songwriter
Mark Merryman, a seasoned guitarist, founding member of Fret
Knot, RC Project, and Canyon Ratz currently performs regularly with Quickdraw
Homegrown Music (Rocky Mountain bluegrass) and presents "eclectic
desert cowboy music" with The Canyon Ratz.
Mark is the 2005 Swallow Hill Flatpicking guitar champion.
The Canyon Ratz with 
Michi * Regier at
Swallow Hill
The Canyon Ratz' music has been described as "Original music; hints of
bluegrass, blues, swing, folk, jazz; 'Eclectic Desert Cowboy Music.'
Skirt the mundane; Hot licks, solid rhythm." The Rats include
Sandy Reay
on bass and harmony vocals, and Mark
Mortensen on gypsy guitar. It's an eclectic blend of styles that
showcase Mark's wonderful original songs.
 |
The Canyon Ratz with Roxanne Staples at Las Hada
(photo
by Kim Davison) |
the new Canyon Ratz:
Wade Krause,
Sandy Reay,
Mark Merryman,
Mark
Mortensen, Jeff Ingram
Fat Frog, July 11, 2008
(photo by Kim Davison)
See what's been written about Mark: Westword Article and Rocky Mountain News Article
What the critics are saying:
"MARK’S MUSIC REVEALS A GENTLE VOLUNERABILITY FAR
TOO LONG PROTECTED; A SENSE OF HUMOR SHARED BY A POSSE OF LIGHT HEARTED
DEEP THINKERS WHO, LIKE MARK, ARE TRYING TO TELL A UNIVERSE OF FELLOW
SOULS IT’S GONNA BE OK!
"SONGS OF REMINICENSE AND CELEBRATION…TO PUT TOGETHER
THESE OBSERVATIONS AND RECOLLECTIONS OF LIFE IN SUCH AN INNOCENT AND
ENJOYABLE FORM UNDOUBTABLY TOOK GENIOUS AND YEARS OF EXPLORATION, NOT
TO MENTION THE ACTUAL LIVING OF THESE WONDERFUL STORIES.
"MARK’S SONGS ARE A JOY TO LISTEN TO, NO WASTED
WORDS, YET THE STORIES HE TELLS ARE PAINTED WITH AN INTRICATE PALLETE
OF COLOR. SHORTLY AFTER YOU PUSH THIS CD INTO YOUR DASH YOU WILL FEEL
LIKE YOUR RIDING WITH ONE OF YOUR BEST FRIENDS.
"ITS FUN TO PICK OUT MARK’S SIGNATURE LYRICAL TWISTS,
WHETHER THEY ARE THE ADDITION OF A SINGLE, COMICALLY MADE TO SOUND LIKE
AN AFTER THOUGHT, OR AN ENTIRE MUSICAL FORM TYPICALLY RESERVED FOR SOMBER
REFLECTION WHICH MERRYMAN, INSTEAD, USES TO CELEBRATE LIFE.
"THIS CD IS GUARANTEED TO RAISE THE HEARTS, SPIRITS AND
EYEBROWS OF ALL WHO ARE WISE ENOUGH TO ADD IT TO THEIR MUSIC COLLECTION."
— Comments by Wade Krauss, music therapy practitioner
Greely Bluegrass Festival, May, 2005
 |
 |
Swallow Hill Winners Concert,
Jan. 20, 2006 (photos by Reggie Barrett) |
Major Musical Influences (to name a few):
Songwriters / Composers: Willie Nelson, Towns Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson,
Paul Simon, John Prine, Benny Galloway, Sand Shef, Guy Clark, Robert
Earle Keen Jr., Drew Emmitt, Robert Clousing, Joe Barrett, Gillian Welch,
Tim O’Brien, Bill Monroe
Guitar Players: Jerry Garcia, Tony Rice, David Grier, Brian Sutton,
Jim Hurst, Charles Sawtelle, Steve Masakowski, Carlos Santana, Grant
Green
Others: David Grissman, Bela Fleck, Aubrey Haynie, Oscar Peterson, Johnny
Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, Edgar Myer, Jerry Douglas, Mike Marshall,
Darol Anger, Stuart Duncan, New Grass Revival, Leftover Salmon, Yonder
Mountain String Band
Picture a worry free music experience…these fine musicians have
been playing around the Colorado Rocky Mountains and south eastern Utah
since 1993, focusing on a modern bluegrass sound. Founded by Mark Epstein
and Mark Merryman in 1993 with a primary goal to have fun playing acoustic
music, the group has gone through some changes but has continued to
meet that prime directive - to have fun!
"The variety the band displayed at the festival sets
them apart from the other performers" — Durango Meltdown
"Finger blistering licks…heart rendered vocals…the
women swooned" — Black Rose Society
"Some good original music from Colorado. If you like
good Acoustic Music, this CD is for you…" — CD review
by Robert Lee Johnson — The Guitar Man
Presenting songs by Robert Clousing-songs that stimulate visual images
of beauty; from the beaches of sunny Brazil to the desert canyons of
the great southwest. The creativity of the contributing artists reflects
the flow of universal harmony, inspired by the spirit from which the
songs flow. A message for the sharing of love; love of the land and
love of life, and most of all, love for each other. With every beat
of the heart, the wind will blow, the stars will shine!
The lineup includes: John Magnie-keys and accordion, Rashad Eggleston-cello,
Roxanne Staples-flute, Ari Dvorin-sax, Bruce Lish-sax, David Snyder-banjo
and harmonica, Jim Craighead-fiddle, Linda Malinski-background vocal,
and Mark Hutchinson- mandolin. |
Mark Merryman
