Mark Andersen is a guitarist, singer and songwriter born and raised in Hanover Massachusetts. He is currently lead guitarist for the New England road house legends the Fat City Band.
He began his musical journey on the usual stuff growing up in the 60’s, The Beatles, growing into the British rock and blues scene, learning to play lead while listening to Creams “Wheels Of Fire” and such. He then took a turn into Country, playing in his first Country band in a bar at the age of eighteen. He wa...
Mark Andersen is a guitarist, singer and songwriter born and raised in Hanover Massachusetts. He is currently lead guitarist for the New England road house legends the Fat City Band.
He began his musical journey on the usual stuff growing up in the 60’s, The Beatles, growing into the British rock and blues scene, learning to play lead while listening to Creams “Wheels Of Fire” and such. He then took a turn into Country, playing in his first Country band in a bar at the age of eighteen. He was schooled on the classic country of Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and others of the era. At this time he also began his love of the LA Country Rock movement bands, Eagles, Poco, Loggins and Messina were very influential on his playing and writing skills.
At 19, he received a call from a bass player he had worked with to come to Nashville and work with him with a Nashville artist named Wyatt Webb. This began a 12 year southern country experience.
After a year with the Wyatt Webb Show, traveling the country a week in each city, he met up with Randy Parton, Dollys brother. They formed a band called “Southern Gallery” and played for about a year or two in Nashville, working on their brand of country and southern rock. Dennis Bottoms, the great Nashville Banjo player was also a part of this outfit before leaving to work with Jerry Reed and others.
Randy wanted to go on as himself, so Mark was able to audition for his Sister, Dollys road band, and got the job. His first tour with Dolly was at the age of 21 on her “Here You Come Again Tour” At this time he began writing with Dollys sister, Freida Parton. In 1980, they wrote “Sing For The Common Man” which appeared on her “9 to 5” album, and they produced a demo album under the name Albatross, which garnered a song “Powers Of The Night” featured on the Grassroots comeback album of the same name, and a record deal with the legendary Albert Grossman at Bearsville Records.
Freida suffered a back injury in 1981, the album didn’t come out until 1984, (A video of “Oriental Dolls” is still viewable on VH1.com archives) Things fizzled out, they never reached their potential, and Mark came home to Massachusetts where he settled down with the love of his Life. Patricia and has three beautiful daughters and a great life. He still enjoys writing, singing and performing, and can be seen regularly in the southern Massachusetts area.
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