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April 22, 2023

I met Mark and Jon in August of 2000, thru a chance meeting, between Randy Meissner and myself.  But we know, nothing really happens by chance.    

Randy heard me sing spontaneously (in his ear) in a little place called The Boulavard Café on Chicago’s North side. He made me laugh and we became fast friends. He said “I need you to meet two friends of mine, they’re brothers. ”   

He set up a meeting between “the brothers” Mark and Jon, and myself. We were set to meet at Randy’s place in Chicago on Rockwell.  The house belonged to a percussionist named Hy Kite.   Hy was already friends with Randy, Mark and Jon and he welcomed me into the club, w/open arms.     

We met at 4:10 p.m.     Introductions were made.  

Jon played guitar, Mark was at a keyboard. They played their new song “Love in the Box”     I was mesmerized.  Mark’s voice was heavenly, it was Holy.  I had goosebumps.  

After 25 years of being in the music business, praying to God to meet somebody with authentic talent and a shared vision, I knew in that instant  that God arranged this meeting, … nothing happens by chance. 

Then Mark & I sang a few songs together and it was a perfect blend.  We knew we had something very real, very special and extraordinary.  That first meeting ended at 4:15 a.m.  

12 hours of musical BLISS followed by 12 YEARS of composing, singing, performing and recording w/Mark, Jon & our band, Just Listen.  We named our sacred practice space “Treehouse Studios” starting at the apartment on Sheridan Rd., then moving to Jon’s house on Landon St. in Winthrop Harbor, including rehearsals and co-writing in Chicago at my apartment and then at my ranch house, including our studio in Buffalo Grove, which belonged to our amazing arranger, Jon Thiel.  We were a family.  

We took 2 years to record our album at Rax Trax Studios and upon completion one of Mark & Jon’s originals off the album, entitled “Blessed” was used as the title track to a full length independent movie called “The Place.” 

It was Mark’s voice and his sensitive delivery that the Director was drawn to and the voice he wanted for his film. 
We were all so excited. So proud.  The Director won an Emmy…I have no doubt that it was Mark’s voice and THAT song, that launched that Emmy Award.      

Singing together with Mark was the greatest joy in my life.  He was an extraordinary vocalist, a brilliant composure, a humorist, a gentle heart with immense talent.  He was a story teller, a balladeer, AND he could easily belt out a rock or pop song with crystal clear lyrics and a powerful delivery.          

On top of that, his sense of humor was contagious – he made us laugh until we cried. Then he would casually sing out a few lyrics from a new song he and Jon were working on and we all fell into place, effortlessly.  Our bond was encoded as everlasting and we deeply loved each other. 

Mark was all about creating unity through music, with a commitment to sharing peace and harmony through songs.  He was the real deal.  He was my musical soul mate. The last words we said to each other was simply 

“I LOVE YOU.”   Nothing more needed to be said.  I will take those words with me until I see him again.