Mark Sallings was born and raised in the Arkansas Delta, near Helena, Arkansas, close to Memphis, TN. Ronnie Hawkin's the catalyst for The Band, who also hails from a small Arkansas town, Brashears dated Mark's Aunt Sue. Ronnie and Sue babysat Mark one night, and "The Hawk" (as he is known now) rocked Mark to sleep by playing the Harmonica! This is Mark's first memory of hearing the instrument; at about age three.
By the time Mark was in junior high, he was already playing the clarinet and the saxophone. He began sax playing professionally at age 14. He performed along what is known as the "Chitlin" circuit; playing clubs like The White Swan. On the drives home, Mark would lay in the back seat and listen to WLAC with John R. resonating the blues out of Nashville. He recalls those late night blues shows as "haunting, digging deep into his soul."
Mark was working in Memphis, straight out of high school, as a session player at Stax Records, with J.R. Brewer, Steve Cropper, and Ron Capone. He also played in several bands: the first being the Uncle Jam Band, where he met drummer Bill Marshall (who went on to drum for Hank Jr.) shortly after Mark played with Don McMinn. Mark went to work recording with Don McMinn at Sonic Studios, operated by engineer and producer Roland Janes. This was Mark's first encounter with Roland. Mark then moved to New Orleans for a year, where he played in the French Quarter, for tips, and this is where he learned to play the harmonica.
Upon returning to Memphis, Mark had the opportunity to record several times, once again under the direction of Roland Janes, at Sonic Studios, with Frank Frost, Jack Johnson, Don McMinn, Bobby Ray Watson, Sam Carr, and large cast of local Memphis players assembled by Bobby Ray Watson. Later, Roland Janes went hired by Sam Phillips, former owner of Sun Studios and Sun Records, to run his Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, TN. on Madison Avenue.
Mark also had the opportunity to record at Phillips Recording Studios, working on radio and t.v. commercials with co-writer Terry Shirley; once again Roland Janes was the engineer/producer. It was during this time that Mark became aware that Roland Janes was the original guitar player in the Sun Rhythm Section. During this same time Mark was working with Coon Elder and Brenda Patterson, recording demos at Onyx Studios on Airways Blvd. in Memphis, where Stan Kessler, bassit for the Sun Rhythm section had an office. It was during this musical evolutionary process that Mark got to know Roland Janes.
When David Less (Memphis Interantional Records www.memphisinternationalrecords.com ) convinced bassist Stan Kessler to put together the first reunion of the original Sun Record's Rhythm Section, (from the original Sun Studios) who hadn't played together for 31 years, Roland Janes, guitarist for the rhythm section, suggested they bring along young sax player: Mark Sallings.
It was not long after this, Jud Phillips, who was working as VP for Mercury Records, signed Mark and The Coon Elder Band featuring Brenda Patterson, along with drummer Bill Marshall from Mark's Stax session days. The Coon Elder Band made it to the cover of Billboard Magazine.
Mark's musical history in the Memphis Music scene carried on with gigs such as Mark performing with Jerry Lee Lewis, and later as taking on role as band leader for Jason D. Williams. At age 25 Mark was asked by the Center for Southern Folklore, to record with blues legend, Son Thomas. The project was for the Library of Congress in Washington DC. However, when the folks in DC found out that the harmonica player was a young white guy who had never been on stage with Son, they opted to set the recording aside; nothing was ever done with the project. However, it is still in existence, but whether or not the person or persons, who own the masters will or can ever release this recording, has yet to be seen. Around this time-line are numerous impressive musical associations; such as opening for Muddy Waters, Albert King, and a host of other "blues" events took place in Mark's career. We'll try to highlight more of that in a later update to this site.
Mark is a member of the Memphis Chapter of the Recording Academy and is a Premier Player Winner as well as being a four-time nominee. He has worked with a long list of legendary performers from rock to country, and blues; hence the tongue in cheek moniker band name The Famous Unknowns. Mark also designed and taught for 8 semesters, the first blues harmonica course at The Univeristy of Memphis, (formerly known as Memphis State). Mark is also endorsed by both Hohner Harmonicas and Peavey Electronics. Back to the name "Famous Unknowns..."
The band name evolved out of Mark's time spent playing with Polygram Recording Artist David Lynn Jones. After Jones hit success as a song-writer with his patriotic tune Livin' in the Promised Land he decided that he would take some time off from touring. Mark and a couple of members of Jone's band, decided to go out on their own. Some of the musicians that backed Jones included guitarist Barry Bales, Gerry Moss and Jerry Bone. Mark would often remark that they were all "famous unknowns," backing "famous artists." Out of that mindset, when deciding to put together a full-time blues entity and leave behind the side-man role, Sallings suggested the band name The Famous Unknowns.
The first official Famous Unknown Guitarist was Barry Bales. Bales stepped up to the stage when Jone's disbanded and Moss left for six months to pursue recording opportunities in California. Upon Moss' return, he hit the stage with Bone and Mark. The three stayed together working as the Famous Unknowns until late 1994 when guitarist, Gerry Moss left to embark upon a solo recording career. Jerry Bone, bassist left the band almost a year later and opened Glass Gate Recording Studios with two of his life long buddies Ron Helm and Vic Hall. It was there he recorded and released his own independent project, Miracle at a Reasonable Price. Moss and Bone currently perform with John Ware (Hot Band Drummer-Emily Lou Harris) in The Mossman Band. Mossman is a rootsy-blues, adult alternative rock band titled after the unihibited and energetic Gerry Moss. You can read more about The Mossman Band at http://www.themossman.com
During their time spent with David Lynn Jones, Sallings, Moss and Bone, performed in three top ten country videos, including High Ridin' Heroes which featured Waylon Jennings; as well as performing at three of the first Farm Aid Festivals, as well as appearing on the Ralph Emery Show on CMT.
In 1994, when Moss and Bone left the Unknowns went their separate ways, it was then that Sallings put his name out front. Mark Sallings and The Famous Unknowns was born. Although Sallings legally owns the band name Famous Unknowns, placing himself out front as the lead man, after sharing that position with Gerry Moss wasn't an easy task and at times was not readily received by die-hard FU fans. The transition was tough and Sallings was met by a miriad of responses. However, Mark hung on, the fan base grew and grew and 12 years later The Famous Unknowns is an entity that is still alive and kicking!
In keeping with the name Famous Unknowns, Mark only hires players who are truly Famous Unknowns and have paid their dues as side-men to well known artists. Mark performs at festivals across U.S., and has been featured in three top ten videos. His recording experiences are extensive and most recently he appears on Ruby Wilson's latest CD, and legendary Jim Dickinson's (piano player for the Rolling Stones Wild Horses and world renowned producer) new CD: Voodoo Tiger, which was released March of 2006.
In 1992 The Famous Unknowns were the first house band at BB Kings Blues Club on Beale, in Memphis, TN. The Unknowns released an independent CD titled after one of Mark's original tunes: Up Close and Personal. The disc was produced by legendary Jim Dickinson. In 1995 Mark was signed to Indie Label, Vent records, out of Birmingham, AL., and released two CDS: Let it Be Know and Talkin' To Myslef. Mark recently released an independent project titled: Temporary Life.
Mark is often sited as one of the best contemporary delta blues harmonica players around. Despite lack of major label representation and hype, Mark has through much dedication to the blues, developed a large international following; which continues to grow daily. He's not just a great harp player, but a sax player of the highest caliber. The Famous Unknowns, predominately blues, add an element of soulful R&B to their delta mix! Mark can't escape his R&B roots and integrates a jump blues sound with hints of Stax and Motown! The Famous Unknowns, perform at festivals and clubs across the U.S..
In 1999 Mark did a two week stint in Australia, playing at the world renowned club: The Basement, and topping off the tour as headliner for the Thredbo Legends of Blues Festival! During this tour in Australia, Mark was backed by some of Australia's finest musicians: Ray Beadle, Guitar; Harry Brus, Bass; and Roscoe Clark on drums. Ray Beadle toured the U.S. in 2000, and while he was in the Memphis area, he recorded with Mark and is featured on Mark's latest CD Release. The CD: Temporary Life, was a longt time in the making. Recently, Mark performed on legendary, Jim Dickinson's new CD, Voodoo Tiger, as well as Memphis Blues Queen, Ruby Wilson's 2005 release. Rooster Blues, off of Dickinson's disc, aired on The Elwood Blues-House of Blues Radio Hour, on November 16th, 2006.
Mark's music is played on radio stations across the U.S. and internationally!
To Buy Mark's Latest CD Release: Temporary Life, Click here!
Copyright 2006 Famous UnknownsTM-Mark Sallings-All Rights Reserved
