Mark decided to stay in the guest room and forego spending the night at the hotel. We were pleased that he had felt so comfortable. In the morning, we relaxed some more and Mark said that he would love to return to spend more time with us. On that note, Mark asked me to check out potential venues for a future concert and send him the information. He also promised to send me his new September 2010 concert poster before leaving on the next leg of his tour. A few days after he left, two signed posters appeared in the mail with a handwritten postcard from Mark. He is a man that makes good on his word.
On the ride to the airport we discussed his apartment in San Francisco, his love interests, and his family in Ohio. Mark also made several interesting observations about our own family dynamics. We talked more about his music, as I had strategically peppered him with questions throughout his stay. I asked him if he had ever had a problem with some of the unique covers that he has recorded. He said Neil Diamond threatened to sue him for a Cameron Crowe-commissioned cover for Elizabethtown. Apparently, Neil wasn't "comfortable" with Mark's reinterpretation of "Kentucky Woman," failing to realize that he might actually have a chance to be relevant again.
We parted with Mark at the airport and exchanged hugs at the curb. Mark reiterated that he had a great time and looked forward to coming back. Over the past twenty-four hours, we had become friends. No doubt his music will never be the same.
Enjoy an alternative acoustic version of "Salvador Sanchez" from 2003's Ghosts of the Great Highway.
2 comments:
D Man,
I've enjoyed reading your recaps of your time with Mark, but I'm curious to know how you know him and how you got him to perform for your family in Utah.
Desmond
Excellent question. Before that weekend, we didn't know Mark from Adam (except for, of course, his music). But we reached out to Mark and opened up a dialogue with him that ultimately landed him here. Everything had to fall into place perfectly, including Mark's current touring schedule, and it did! Still cannot believe it happened.
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