Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Moss.
Hi Mark, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been into music my whole life. Whether it was listening to music, singing along or playing an instrument, it has kept my interest throughout many decades. Music speaks to the soul and I think it helps people through very dark times and some of the best times of our lives. Hearing a song brings back memories, smells, tastes, vivid imagery and most importantly – powerful emotions.
I was in a band at 16, in bars, singing in a rock band. I learned guitar at a young age (around 8) and picked it back up once I was in a band and started learning as much as I could. I studied theory, took classical lessons, all the while singing along to some of the greatest rock songs ever written.
I started composing songs in my late teens and continue to this day. Writing music comes from a place of deep reverence mixed with whimsical folly in my case.
I played with many, many bands through the years, but didn’t start seriously recording until my 20s.
I released a progressive rock album “Vicious Circle” in 2001, all original.
Shortly after I wrote a solo acoustic album in 2005 “One Last Day of Denial,” and another in 2007 “Perspectives.” One of the songs “Questions” was on a syndicated TV show called “Long Lost Family” in 2017.
I was in a band with guys I grew up with and collaborated on another rock album “Super Size Seven” in 2013 which was rock / pop punk / high energy and got some radio play out of that album.
Since moving to Texas I have been involved in numerous projects in the live music scene. I really miss releasing songs and am currently working to remedy that.
The tribute scene in Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex is astounding. I never thought I would be in a tribute band, but if that is what venues want and you’re a working musician, you adapt!
I perform as “Billie Joe Armstrong” in a Green Day tribute called “Green Dazed” which has been around since 2016.
I did some acoustic duo work with the “Arghh Pirates” which was acoustic rock covers, dressed as (you guessed it) pirates – which was a hoot.
I then joined “Dallas Boston Xperience” aka “DBX” in 2023 which is a tribute to the music of Boston and Kansas. I sing and play acoustic in that project.
Mutual band mates asked me to join “Double Vision” in 2024 which is a tribute to the music of Foreigner. I play electric and sing backups in that project.
The guitarist of DBX always wanted to do acoustic Led Zeppelin, so we started “Zep Unplugged” to do just that. It’s full-on rock just done with acoustic instruments.
The latest project is “Bombshell” which is a tribute to arena rock that covers a couple of decades with a rotating cast of vocalists that look and dress the part they perform. Def Leppard, Guns ‘N Roses, Motley Crue, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benetar, Whitesnake, AC/DC and more.
All of these projects have been performing around the midwest, to Florida, Colorado, Oklahoma and elsewhere wherever there is a thirst for the music!
I never knew where the passion for music came from. Music always made sense to me and I realized early on I could do things others couldn’t. That piqued my interest even more regarding my background since I knew I was adopted.
Being an adopted child made me wonder about the whole “nature versus nurture” aspect as my family was very involved in music. I searched my whole life for those answers with the encouragement of my family since all those records were sealed.
In 2017, thanks to my wife submitting an application to “Long Lost Family” on TLC, I found out. For reference, it was Season 2, Episode 6.
They were able to locate my extended biological family. Lo’ and behold, my mother achieved a full college scholarship for cello and apparently could sing like a bird. My biological father was a touring musician and classically trained on tube, sousaphone, and bass.
I found out that it was in my blood and that many of my blood relatives were classically trained performers. My biological mother passed away in 2008 so I never had a chance to meet her. My biological father was still performing at the time and we still keep in touch weekly. As chance would have it, my folks met him and his wife and they are very close as well. More love to go around, perhaps I’ll write more music about it!
You can always find out where I”m playing next at markmoss.net.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Never a smooth road! Between being ripped off, underpaid, bouncing checks, double bookings, and driving long distances to never recoup your expenses, it’s definitely a passion from within to tolerate these things.
The biggest struggle is getting your name out and getting recognition. It’s a very competitive field. Staying relevant and promoting yourself is difficult because of all the work that is done behind the scenes.
Worse still is when you end up with a cold and can’t sing. Luckily, I’ve only canceled 2 shows in my life. One was due to weather. The venue didn’t answer their phone either because there wasn’t any power in an ice storm. The other was extreme sickness which turned out to be pneumonia.
It’s hard work, but the goal is to make it look easy. It’s like the proverbial duck on the pond, you only see the graceful movement above water and not the feverish paddling of the feet below the surface!
Then as you make headway, and make some money, you spend more than you’ll ever make on better gear! And there is ALWAYS better gear to be had for sure.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an engineer, involved in the sales of automation to manufacturers. Anything that involves motion and controlling motion safely and efficiently is what we do. From robotics, to hydraulics, and pneumatics. We’ve made some very, very massive solutions that are jaw-dropping.
I’m known for being an engineer that can communicate effectively. I understand complex solutions and have the ability to boil down the complex and relate it to customers in simpler terms.
The job transfer to Texas in 2015 brought me to an opportunity that I’ve helped grow by over 4000%, I’m very proud of that.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m a dog guy. The funniest song I have ever written was with with my dog “Tuscan.” Tuscan wasn’t a normal dog, he was a border collie and wicked smart!
I recorded him howling while I was playing guitar. He would literally howl in key. I then used his howling on the recording of a song I wrote about him.
Every time that song came on he would go crazy singing along with it. It’s on YouTube and includes some of his crazy antics (like chasing ceiling fans).
I still have border collies, but they don’t sing (yet).
I help with a local dog and horse rescue based in Argyle. I grew up on a farm and nothing can gross me out (they said I was a perfect fit).
My wife and I kept the adoption cycle going and adopted our son from Russia in Siberia who is now in college and killing it, so we couldn’t be more proud of him!
I’m a Jeep guy, you might see me tearing around in my old 73 CJ5 (usually with a dog in tow).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.markmoss.net
- Instagram: @markmosstx
- Facebook: @markmossmusic
- Youtube: @markmossmusic
