In 1984, Mark McVey and Galen Williams began to record an album of original music with some very dear friends and amazing musicians. This was a true labor of love. Broke musicians without investment or contracts seldom have the budget to record in professional studios. But, somehow - they always found a way. They self-produced. There was something special in these songs and the band had something to prove. Mark and Galen were well on the way to creating a great album. But life got in the way. Marriage, divorce, births and deaths. Building businesses while building families. And the clock on the wall kept ticking away. Oblivious to the day. 15 years passed. The band members had all but vanished into echos of the past. These songs needed to be saved. And heard. Mark McVey gathered up all of the deteriorating master tapes and sent them to Nashville to be baked in a last-ditch attempt to salvage what was recorded. Then, with only one play left in the masters, Mark booked a major recording studio in Tampa and then transferred all of the songs to ADAT digital tape. A few songs were lost in the process. But most were saved. Then, once again, the project was shelved. Business commitments, another marriage, a move across the country, two children, a move back across the country and another divorce. Somehow, another 19 years slipped by. Now, Mark had a new problem. The “then” cutting edge format of ADAT digital tape was now an antiquated technology. Not a studio could be found that could translate the tapes. But - Mark had an itch that needed to be scratched. Finally, in 2018 Mark found Mach 1 studios in Tampa Florida - who could work with the antiquated format. The owner of Mach 1, Dan Mockensturm, diligently searched and found an ADAT machine. Mark and Dan then transferred all of the ADAT tracks to ProTools. And then mixed the tracks down to the final tracks. It took 34 years for these songs to greet the world. Some would say that it is impossible that they even exist. But ask Mark McVey and he will tell you - a project worth doing is a project worth finishing.
Music is the universal language of love.
To write music that moves people to connect with their emotions.
Bring clean water to all parts of the world.
Tough question as there are so many. "Good vibrations" sticks out.
Beatles, Yes, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Beach Boys, Moody Blues, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Police
Creating something uniquely mine. The love of playing and the camaraderie of being with my bandmates.
Love, peace and understanding.
Great! I love the interaction with the audience.
It is tough for an artist to gain any traction. Gigs pay the same now as they did 20 years ago. Making money is almost impossible.
Very cool. Easy to use. Dig the vibe.
People don't seem to really listen anymore.
You bet! I attend concerts regularly and frequently check out new bands.
First, they better be good! But they also need to understand the technologies available. A big fat bank account would help get their music heard.
King's X - the most underrated band in the world. Ty Tabor is one of the finest guitarist on the planet. Kirk Henderson - an amazing musician. Todd Jensen is a monster bass player who has played with David Lee Roth, Paul Rodgers, Neil Schon, Steve Perry, Ozzy Osborne, Alice Cooper, etc.. All these guys are great friends and have been a big influence on my life.