Presentng Mark Farner With The KEY To Hometown Flint!

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee has sent us another listless list of inductee's. And, no surprise, due to politics and swayed opinions, the name "Grand Funk Railroad" is bizarrely missing from the vote. Again and again, year after year, Grand Funk Railroad is missing from the list. But, let's not subscribe to all that nor the magazine Empire that makes the elite committee possible.

"It's better than being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"

In mid-August, as I remember it, standing there off to the side of the red carpet. I heard Mayor Dayne Walling present Mark Farner with an impressive black plaque holding the key to Farner's first hometown of Flint, Michigan. Mark was visibly humbled and proud and had this to say to the film crews and fans there on the red bricks of Flinttown: "It's better than being in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To think that the people of my hometown think that much of me means a lot." [See New's article]




August 14, 2009 Mark Farner receives the Key to the city of Flint for his achievements in music.





The little gold plaque Reads: "Mark Farner, Flint's Rock Patriot"





This dedication took place the day before the Atwood Stadium concert. After dinner the band went to do a night time sound check then, Mark did an awesome interview for Flint's own Kettering University radio station, WKUF 94.3
Find Mark with the Butcher Shop Brother's on the Pod Cast Player, Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/butchershopshow




Mark shakes hands with Mayor Walling. To Mark's right is Flint's hostess with the Mostess, Lynn Sorenson, Flint Revival Committee.

Pics by;
Mary N & Sue T

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The Hunk-Of-Funk Now Appearing On Billboards In Hometown

What's Mark Farner UP to these days you ask? Well, IN and Around Flint, Michigan, we'd say he's up to maybe 12 feet or more off The ground! It's Flint's finest marketing Mark with multiple Banners, Lighted Displays, Handbills and Billboards:

Flint's Farmer's Market Banner
Farner Tickets Sold Every Saturday



Raffle Poster
Proceeds To Benefit "Mission Of Hope"Homeless Shelter, Win An Autographed Guitar!
Contact: http://flintrevival.com/



Lighted Displays



Billboards




Photo credits:Terry Blankert



Forty Years Funkin' Collectors T-Shirts available at: MARKFARNER.COM

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Farner To Funk Flint This Summer

Let's start tripping through time and Myspace and rewind the time continuum to when Mark Farner made three's trips down from Petoskey (publically) to make spark's in Flint, Michigan. This time, you don't have to boomerang around the Sun to go back in time here. I have the pictures in my external hard drive!

In 2007...this is the exciting Touch Tunes Jukebox launch of his latest CD titled "For The People" Sample tunes on: MARK'S MYSPACE


TOUCH TUNES JUKEBOXES ARE LOADED WITH MARKS TUNES IN MIDWEST MICHIGAN
(requesting his 2006 CD be added to your local Jukebox is a cool idea-yes? We all need this Patriotic, country defining updated Funk~Right On!)

Anyway, The trifecta "Grip 'n Grin" session at three of Flint's fine establishments went well and many fans showed up to get items autographed or receive a big hug from this home town legend of Rock and Roll!

If that wasn't cool enough, a few months later when one of our favorite local journalist (Doug Pullen) moved on to Texas from the Flint Journal...Mark Farner showed up at the Going Away Party at Jester's Lounge in Flint for Doug and brought along Fabulous Pack member Curt Johnson plus Dennis Bellenger from Mark's 1968 band; The Coolie Group)

Dennis Bellenger, Curt Johnson, Rusty Wright and Mark Farner (pic by L. Wright)

Right at the start of the party Mark Farner and friends performed his signature song "I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home" and it was a very touching tribute to Doug and to the love the locals have for music (so much musical talent in attendance that night) and for Mark and his Grand Funk Railroad music!


(Video compliments of Mustard Seed)

Mark is so gracious when signing autographs! And when we joke that he'll sign whatever you bring...I guess that means even if all you have is yourself! So, just for FUN I'll include this picture!


Now, the big new's was announced at Blackstone's Eatery in downtown Flint!
This Summer, During the "Back To The Bricks Festival" on August 15TH, Mark Farner and his band "N'rG"[Energy] will take the stage at Atwood Stadium! The FUNK will Fly and spirits will be high!

The Media converged and took notes!
Mark's speech


Film at 11:00
The Newton's signed and framed album cover shown on TV


It's a beauty


"Thank You For Coming..."

(pics by Mary Newton)

C'Mon and show your Rock and Roll Soul!


More Information at: http://www.markfarner.com

For a Grand Funk Tour of Flint complete with the signing of a gigantic picture of Mark Farner in the local Flint music store CLICK HERE:
Good View's For Flint~Thank You Terry R. Bankert

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