A1 Artist Spotlight.Com/Mark Farner

A1 Artist Spotlight.Com

Listen to full podcast interview HERE

A1 Artist Spotlight featured a phone interview with Mark about
his CD For The People.


Mark Farner’s newest CD is called For the People. He is the self proclaimed Rock Patriot. As a proud citizen of the United States of America, Mark Farner is telling the Americans that there is a big problem going on in this county and you better wake up to it before all your freedoms are taken away.

The title track “For the People” and “Where Do We Go From Here” in my opinion should be required listening by all American citizens.

These two songs are the most important songs any American can hear this year. If Bob Dylan put these songs out the media would be screaming about what Dylan has written.

They’d be telling you in the papers, on the radio, and on TV, “this is the most important song Bob Dylan has written since “The Times They Are A Changing”. Well this may be the most important song since “The Times They Are A Changing”, but Mark Farner The Rock Patriot wrote it, and hardly anyone is playing it.

Thanks to Mark Kerr’s Blues Nation podcast, I’ve got to hear the song “For the People”, a lot. What’s wrong with the radio stations? Why have they not taken the time to play these important songs?

This is not some guy their listeners have never heard of, this is Mark Farner the man who gave us “I’m Your Captain”, “Footstompin’ Music” and “We’re An American Band”. The leader of Grand Funk Railroad, one of the biggest American bands of all time.

The media has ignored this record but you can save the day. Call your local radio station and demand them to play these songs. Mark said the reason he wrote “For the People” is to provoke people to think about where we are as a nation and how we got here.

Mark’s tired of the media and the government telling us lies about everything. The war, the oil, the money. Who is really in control of these things? Why are we as a nation doing what the people of America do not want our government to do?

Who is really running this country, the government or rich Europeans that control our banks? What ever happened to “by the people and for the people”?

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Mark is "The Rock Patriot"

Mark Visitng the Vietnam Wall
photo: Lesia Farner

Mark Farner, "The Rock Patriot"
by Donna Teresa, Homefront Journal

Sunset Beach sits 16 miles south of Santa Cruz. In the 1970s, it was a popular site for families, surfers and for anyone who just loved going to the beach. You knew it was going to be a great beach day when you could hear Grand Funk Railroad playing on the radio.

With songs like "We're an American Band "or "Some Kind of Wonderful," their concerts were legendary. Grand Funk's lead singer, songwriter and guitarist, Mark Farner, has been doing his part to appreciate America's veterans and troops for many years, by tirelessly giving his time and music to appreciate and celebrate our veterans. It's no secret that his inspiration to lend a hand to veteran causes is true and deeply heartfelt.

"My father was a World War II veteran, a tank driver in the Seventh Armored Division. My mother was the first woman to weld on Sherman Tanks at General Motors Fisher Body plant in Flint Michigan. Some of my friends from school didn't make it back from Vietnam and I miss them" Farner said.

Farner has been entertaining troops since the 70s. "The first 'Guitar Army' show put on by and for Vietnam Vets at Harpo's was in Detroit. It was a theater turned into a huge night club and it rocked! Other veteran benefits and shows where we were able to entertain and speak to those who are personally responsible for the preservation of freedom. It's an honor to be with brave people."

Farner also enjoys sharing the story about doing a Grand Funk Railroad show for the troops in Schweinfurt, Germany. There were 10,000 troops and they also sold tickets to civilians.

"The stage was made up of two flatbed trailers backed up to each other. The spotlights for the stage were target lights on the barrels of three tanks setting out in the field in front of us, pointing directly at you know who," Farner said. "Every time I would make a move the turrets would turn and three highly skilled tank drivers would follow me closely!"

While entertaining the troops, Farner has had opportunities to meet many veterans.

"There aren't many vets whom I have spoken with personally who were all that willing to share personal stories about their military involvement. I would never pry or even ask specific questions," Farner said. "I will only wait for my turn to speak and do it respectfully as we could only imagine the emotional trauma these beautiful people may have had to contend with.

"We don't see much being done for our troops on the Federal level for personal recognition. It would show a lot of love if there was more national exposure of the lives of the soldiers, their sacrifices and their level of commitment, it would certainly help. This could only build troop morale that must sometimes be far away from love of family and friends because of their loyalty to their commitment. To know the nation they served was watching a special program about them would be nice," Farner said.

If you would like to read more about Mark's work with veterans, and his music go to http://www.markfarner.com/. It is full of terrific information about Mark past and present and his highly anticipated new record. Mark has a special message to all the veterans out there, "I love these people without end. God bless our men and women of the U.S. military."

Thank you Mark Farner for your great and generous kind heart and for making our troops feel appreciated and giving them the welcome home they deserve. You have truly helped make them feel closer to home.

Donna Teresa can be reached at donnateresa@sbcglobal.net. Donna writes for the Homefront Journal at http://www.montereyherald.com/.

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Mark Farner - The Rock Patriot

Mark Farner - The Rock Patriot
For The People
© 2006 Righteous Rock Music/ Mark Farner (783707370408)
CD price: $13.99
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Classic Rock & Roll Artist retains feel with new funky R&B influenced release.
tracks
1 For The People
2 Cry Baby
3 Nadean
4 Girl
5 You Know Who I Am
6 Same Ol' Feelin'
7 You're My Girl
8 This time
9 Waiting Here for You
10 Symptons
11 Where Do We Go From Here

Mark Farner The Rock Patriot
Apple iTunes

Notes from CD BABY

Long revered and acknowledged as a primary force in popularizing the American power trio, Mark Farner re-emerges with both guns blazing and perhaps his most defining album of his solo career, For The People.Rock icon Mark Farner’s latest album portrays a return to his roots--the roots of American rock. Laden with powerhouse tracks, For The People harkens back to the artist’s definitive style that has been embraced by tens-of-millions of fans worldwide. The inimitable knack for a well written song, perfectly placed power-chord, hooky melody line, blistering guitar solo and, of course, an ever-soulful vocal makes this album perhaps Farner’s high-water mark as a solo artist. “For The People” leads off the album with a political message that doses the listener with a driving guitar that seamlessly weaves itself into the lyric creating a perfectly meshed pop track. “Nadean” follows suit and has been likened to Farner’s “Bad Time To Be In Love,” often cited as a pure pop classic. “You’re My Girl” again, slams into the realm of powerhouse rock with Farner’s take-charge rock attitude in full bloom. “Where Do We Go From Here” poses powerful political questions and reminds fans that Mark Farner has many layers to this persona that go way beyond Mark Farner, Rock Star. Long-time fans will readily recognize his message and new listeners will perhaps be enlightened by his inspired point of view. No matter how you approach this record, For The People has something to say and the artist takes that message on the road live this summer in support of this defining work.Mark Farner has a rich history that sometimes overshadows his solo work. This is a syndrome that is common to so many great artists that were vital members of iconic bands, i. e., John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Ironically both artists emerged simultaneously onto the late-sixties rock scene to great acclaim and Farner and his band mates in Grand Funk Railroad proceeded to blow the roof off the rock world in 1971 by selling out New York’s Shea Stadium faster than The Beatles! With monster hits including: “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home),” “The Locomotion,” “We’re An American Band,” “Bad Time” and “Mean Mistreater,” Grand Funk Railroad went on set attendance records and record sales throughout the world. Mark Farner remains in touch with that legion of fans and has truly made and album, For The People.

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