professional singing career
began as the 15 yr. old rockability vocalist in an Idaho country group known as Freddy Chapman & the Idaho Playboys. Freddy was a DJ at the country station KFXD out of Nampa, Idaho and recruited Mark after hearing about "a real talented kid" who had just won a local talent contest
A year later, when Freddy's radio career took him out of the area, Mark heard about a band that was playing the local I.O.O.F. Hall, so new that they didn't even have a name yet. He took off his thick glasses, walked up to the stage, and asked to sing a song--"Crazy Arms". Overcome with shyness, he ran off the stage after his performance.
The next day, Mark was at his job at McClure's bakery, and the bandleader (Paul Revere Dick) stopped by to pick up an order of buns for his drive-in restaurant. He was telling Mark (who was unrecognizable in his baker's hat, thick glasses, and light dusting of flour) about the show of the previous night, and how "this crazy kid" got up on stage with them. "How was he?" asked Mark nervously. "Not bad!" admitted Paul. Mark whipped off his hat and glasses and announced, "It was ME!" Shortly thereafter, he was the official lead singer for still-unnamed band.??????????
