Mark Carter Productions

Dear Friends, Fans, and Music Lovers

Happy New Year !!
I hope the holidays were as peaceful and enjoyable as possible at this time in our history. I’m praying with all of you, that things will calm down and move forward in the coming year. I’m looking forward to more teaching, more gigs and recording some new tunes !

This may be a start…
Well, hold on to your Stratocaster because my phone actually rang again ! I will be performing at a “food court” outdoors in a nice patio setting.

Friday. January 29. 7-9 pm
Haven City Market. 8443 Haven Ave Rancho Cucamonga 91730. 909-293-9408

It would be great to see you, but please call me or the venue before you make the drive. We all know how quickly things can change.

And…..I’m still teaching private guitar lessons on Zoom. I have students locally in my area and through a online school all across America and I have a students in Puerto Rico and in the Dominican Republic…Amazing !!

Stay well & blessed
Mark
626-485-9266

Dear Friends, Fans, and Music Lovers

What a year !!
There is nothing I can say that hasn’t been said a million times already,…. except…..
I’ve written and recorded a new tune that reflects this year and what we have all gone through. So, you know, it has to be a Country song . I’ve tried to keep it positive, light hearted and romantic This world never seems to get tired of finding love, and I’m a hopeless romantic.

Let’s Social Distance Together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4O0l3jIjCA

Premiering December 8 2020 on Rosie’s Rhythm Room 8-10 pm on KXCI Tucson Arizona …..and I’m working on more airplay.

It will also drop on iTunes next week.

And… I am pressing 100 copies and will mail you a autographed copy along with the sheet music for $20 . Just send me an email. The perfect Christmas gift for the whole family !

Thanks again for all your love and support. Musicians around the world really need it more than ever along with so many, many others.
May your holidays be safe and healthy

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Mark

626-485-9266

mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Dear Friends, Fans, and Music Lovers

I’m late this month !
I’ve been working on a new tune and it’s a bit different than anything else I’ve done in a long time. It’s a song about finding love….even in a pandemic. I should have it posted on Youtube and Facebook very soon, keep an eye out for it.

Thanksgiving is next week and I want you to know how very grateful I am for your support, my children, my health, and my faith.
May we all find peace this Thanksgiving.

Stay Blessed , Stay Well

Mark 626-485-9266 mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

Just sharing stories with you all as the world is turning slowly back to live performance.

In today’s world of recording music, the internet is your partner. Files (recorded music) are transfered everyday to different musicians working on a song or project and then someone will possibly edit your track and slide it in to make musical sense. The first time this happened with me was on my West Coast Groove CD.I had written a tune called “Brand New Love” We worked on an arrangement and sent the file to the drummer, who from his home sudio, recorded a great track and sent it back to us and we finished the tune.

I was thinking about this the other day and a memory from the 1980’s came flying by…..

There was a “Music Producer” in Hollywood who had an ad in a national songwriting magazine. Songwriters around the country would see this ad and send him their home made tape of their songs. The producer would listen to the tapes, then write an arrangement and call in a rhytm section to work on the tunes. He would say…” I want this to sound like a Eagles tune, or Fleetwood Mac tune, or Barry Manilow, or Lionel Richie or whoever” So we would talk over the tune and ad guitar effects or licks or musical ideas to fit the style the Producer was going for. We would knock our 4 or 5 tunes in a session and did this 3 or 4 times a month..no computers, no internet, no files. Just live musicians working together in a studio making music…what a concept !!..and what a great training ground for me.

Those skills and memories are priceless as any musician will tell you.The good news is today you can record and work with musicians from around the globe from your home studio. But every now and then, you remember where it all started.

Stay Well, Stay Blessed….Mark (626) 485-9266

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

Diggin through my files and I found this little gem,
I hope you enjoy…

Back in 2004 I became the owner of a beautifully restored 1966 Mustang Coupe. Actually the cosmetics were great and I have learned the art of spending time and money under the hood 🙂  It is a crazy obsession and it has NEVER been my work car,  until….

In 2007 I also had a work car, 1994 Chevy Astro Van.
I kept it for 14 years and put 359,000 miles on the original engine. I was busy playing all over So Cal. I got a call to play at a 50th birthday party in Pasadena.
The day of the event came and my Astro Van broke down on a errand I was running before the gig. It was a 100 degree day and I was 10 miles from home The Van would not get out of second gear and the Air Conditioner and electric windows would not work I had to drive side streets with the door open to get air.I got home, put on a old classic car shirt and put some nice clothes and my equipment in the Mustang

Off I went to a very nice home in Pasadena where the husband of the birthday girl was standing in the driveway. He stepped back and took a good look at the car and said “Wow Mark, what a great idea to bring that car !!  I want you to take that car right down to the end of the driveway. Can you set up your gear and perform there ? ” 

Sooooo ALL DAY at the party, the guest were coming up to the CAR !! Guest asking me….
” Can we take a picture with it ?  “
” Did Bob buy this for his wife’s 50th ? “
” Will you play Mustang Sally AGAIN ? “
“Oh honey you didn’t have to buy me THIS !! “

I’ve played second fiddle to a lot of great musicians and artist in my time. But on this day it was all about The Pony !!

Stay Blessed , Stay Well
Mark
626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

Earlier this year I read a great biography from legendary recording engineer and record producer Al Schmitt “On The Record”.  Al has done so many things including the magical digital duet with Nat and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable” in the early 1990’s. Engineers Al Schmitt, David Reitzas, and mega producer David Foster worked together on that recording.

(A little Techno Info… a 4 minute recording CAN equal 100’s of hours worth of work for musicians, engineers, producers and anyone involved.)

The agent that booked me for last month’s wedding also booked me as bandleader for David Reitzas’ wedding at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. This job was in the 1990’s (David Foster played the wedding ceremony on a white baby grand piano in the garden.) Now, usually with a very nice wedding such as this, there would be pages of instructions, a minute by minute event list …but not today.  The agent called and said “ I haven’t got any details, the bride and groom are real relaxed about things, just do what you do Mark Carter”……OK !

Time for the first dance came and I asked the female vocalist for a list of her current favorite songs to sing for this dance. I walked over to David Reitzas and said “May we do Unforgettable for your first dance?” and he said “NO !! I don’t want to ever hear that song again, I worked on that record !! “….I just stood there for a second and then looked at the list, How about “Through The Fire” by Chaka Kahn ? and again he said “NO, I don’t want to ever hear that song again I worked on that record !! “…ahhhh…How about “Wind Beneath My Wings” By Bette Midler ? and again he said “NO, I don’t want to ever hear that song again I worked on that record !! …Oh man I was sinking fast !!…..So I reached back…..How about Elvis Presleys“Can’t Help Falling In Love With You “ ?”Perfect !! he said “I did not work on that record”  

Well, I was really trying to feature our great female vocalist that day but the ball bounced right back in my corner so I sang the song and the bride and groom were happy campers….If I’ve learned one thing in my 40 plus years of playing music for people, it’s this…You NEVER know what’s gonna work at any given moment……be prepared and say a prayer.

Stay Blessed , Stay Well
Mark
626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

I’ve always looked at the music biz as one big pie.
If you choose it as a career, you might get a slice or two. I’ve been really blessed and fortunate in 40 plus years in many areas as a performer, studio musician, band leader, guitarist for hire, guitar teacher and music composer, music contractor and yea even
a jingle writer !

With the performing world in such a mess right now, 
I thought it might be a good time to share some memories. Here’s a favorite….

I was working as a band leader for a “entertainment agency” and  was contracted to lead a band at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, (now I’m a wedding singer). The agent gave me all the details which can be page after page and then said “at a certain point in the reception you will have a guest singer and you will know what to do, have fun !! “
So, it’s a beautiful reception and for the first dance the father of the bride wants to  stand on stage and give a toast. Well, he goes on and on about his love for his little girl and all the stories of her growing up and not a dry eye in the house and I’m getting choked up just thinking about my own daughter ! Then he says ” There’s nothing I would not give my daughter on her special day, so today I give you The King” and out of a side door in the room pops “Elvis”! All of a sudden the room is full of laughter and everyone is rolling in the floor !! “Elvis” walks up to me and says “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You in the key of E ” The band was laughing so hard we could hardly play….It was one of those moments.   🙂

Stay Blessed , Stay Well
Mark
626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

How are we doing friends ?
I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

Well, here we go………
with social distancing in place, a mask, hand sanitizer,
in a dining room, and performing in person !!

June 6 2020     6-9 pm.        Saturday Night

Cara Mia
7945 Vineyard Ave, Ste d-7, 
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 360-1498

As we all know, things have been changing rapidly
so please call before you make the drive.
I’m hoping for the best !

Summer is here and it’s a great time to get those kids
busy …. and some adults too!
So I will continue  teaching guitar students over the internet for the time being.

In closing I want you all know that if you need anything and I can help, or if you just want to call and say hi, don’t hesitate. Now more than ever we need to stay in touch.

626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Stay Well……Mark

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

How are we doing friends ?
I hope everyone is safe and as healthy as can be.

The Good News..

I received a phone call last week from a couple 
that have come to see me work for many years
and offered to send me a gift. My heart melted.
I told them I was fine and I didn’t spend everything.
I’m fortunate and thanked them for reaching out.
Thank God for the good folks in this world 
….Blessed

So…..In all my spare time now I wrote and recorded
a new piece of music, a bit different, but fun !
I sent it to my friend Phil Brickner and he
came up with a cool video. It’s posted on YouTube
“A Surf With No Name”  by Mark Carter.
Get ready to ride the waves !!

And..
The past 3 years I have become a Yoga student and a friend of mine was a Yoga instructor at a local
gym that had to close their doors. So Linda is giving me online Yoga classes overFacetime. 
She’s excellent and knows how not to hurt us folks
…..over 30     🙂 
If you want to get rid of some of that quarentine..
contact her at   Ctlindatan@gmail.com

And …
I’m adding a few more guitar students this month over the internet. If you are interested, 
please feel free to call or email me at
626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

Stay Well……Mark

Dear Friends Fans and Music Lovers

Sending out my prayers and love to all.
May we be safe in this world 
from this virus that has taken so many and
praying for a speedy recovery for those in need.
Amen.

I have been teaching AND studying guitar since I was in Jr. High School. Now after 47 years of performinig
on a weekly basis performing it is no longer an option.

So now what ?
I am involved in online Guitar Lessons.
Using Zoom, Skype, and FB Messanger
I am teaching children and adults the
in’s and out’s and joy of music.
You or your children with time on their hands 
might want to explore this world.
It’s a great place to put your energy in times like this
or actually anytime.

If you are interested, 
please feel free to call or email me at

626-485-9266
mcpgtrtrax@aol.com

With all my love and prayers
until we meet again
Mark