Don,

Short answer is yes. A very short list of some of the contests he won follows.

Quote:

Awards: Winner of National Old Time Fiddle Championship, 1973-76, National Junior Fiddle Championship, 1974-77, National Guitar Flatpicking Contest, 1975 and 1977, Grand Masters Fiddling Championship, 1975 and 1980, and Grand National Fiddle Championship, 1979-81.



When Mark was in a contest, everyone else was essentially competing for second place, regardless of the instrument.

Mark not only played in the national contests, he played in state and regional contests across the country. I know he won the Kentucky State Flatpicking Championship at least once and maybe twice. Fortunately for me, he wasn’t there in 1992 whenever I won the contest. I think that was the same year I met him. I didn’t get to play with him because we only had one instrument between us, and that was my guitar. That’s when he played the solo set for me. I really wish he’d had an instrument with him so I could have played with him. Now that would have been something to remember!

In spite of his immense talent on guitar, fiddle, mandolin, etc., he is a very humble person when you meet him. Very nice guy.
I think it was Darol Anger who said that Mark was the only person he'd ever met that as soon as he had a musical idea in his head, he could instantly play it flawlessly!

Last edited by bobcflatpicker; 10/03/10 02:35 AM.
Bob
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