Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2012, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Mark D. Sanders, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 19 June 2012.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Mark D. Sanders who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Mark D. Sanders
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 19 June 2012.
‘I’d only been in Nashville for a couple of years when my friends Randy Albright and Butch Paulson and I got together and wrote ‘Thinking ‘Bout Leaving‘ at the old Acuff-Rose building on 8th Avenue South.
It was the same place where Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) had first come in the door while Wesley Rose and his father Fred were playing ping-pong.
Dean May, who was there when Hank walked in, was still running the office. The actual ping-pong table was upstairs, and Floyd Cramer (Friday 27 October 1933 – Wednesday 31 December 1997) would come in at lunch time and play a few games with Wesley.
Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002), Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021) and Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) made regular appearances in the halls of that building. In other words, there was a whole lot of country music history around us.
When we finished the song, we felt like we might’ve added something to that history, maybe, or we might if some great country singer were to record it.
Of course, we never dreamed that Gene Watson would, and when he did, we were thrilled beyond belief.
Here was one of the most wonderful country voices ever, the voice that sang ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ and ‘Farewell Party‘, singing a song written by three unknown writers. It was stunning, I was ecstatic, we were honoured. All that plus we actually made a few dollars!
Since that time, I’ve been lucky enough to have some other great country voices record my songs, and it’s always exciting to listen for the first time, but there won’t ever be a moment quite equal to hearing Mr. Gene Watson sing ‘Thinking ‘Bout Leaving‘
Thank you, Mark D. Sanders, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Mark D. Sanders…
Mark D. Sanders was born Mark Daniel Sanders in Los Angeles, California on Thursday 7 September 1950. While majoring in literature, Mark D. Sanders also enjoyed playing basketball and surfing at Fullerton College and the University of California-San Diego.
Mark D. Sanders first wrote songs as a hobby, until Wednesday 5 March 1980, when he went to Nashville to give his first few songs a shot.
Mark D. Sanders worked at a variety of jobs, such as tour bus driving and substitute teaching, until he was able to develop his songwriting into a full-fledged career about a decade later.
In June 1986, Mark D. Sanders married Cindy Sasser whom he met while they were both working at Hillsboro High School in Nashville. In addition to a successful songwriting career, Mark D. Sanders has two daughters Kate and Sophie Sanders, a son Dylan Sanders, a step-daughter Jill Goodwin and a step-son Ethan Goodwin.
After spending a successful decade writing in Nashville, Mark D. Sander’s career began to skyrocket in the early 1990s, with his songs recorded by a number of country music artists, including Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence and John Anderson.
In 1995, Mark D. Sanders was nominated for NSAI ‘Songwriter of The Year’, a year which brought him five No.1 Billboard country music hit singles.
In 1996, Mark D. Sanders was nominated a second time.
It was also in 1996 when Mark D. Sanders won an award for ‘Country Song of The Year’ for ‘No News’, which was recorded by Lonestar.
In 1997, Mark D. Sanders was also awarded ‘Country Songwriter of The Year’.
Mark D. Sanders also won ‘Songwriter of The Year’ in 1995 and 1997 from the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP).
Mark D. Sanders held a previous staff position at Starstruck Publishing, Reba McEntire’s company, which was located on Nashville’s Music Row, working with many famous artists.
On Monday 7 November 2011, Mark D. Sanders released ‘History & Hope’, an album which featured him singing ten of his songs spanning his career.
Mark D. Sanders’ major career achievement, however, would be his collaboration with Tia Sillers on the Lee Ann Womack song, ‘I Hope You Dance’.
Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers had previously written ‘I Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere’ for Martina McBride in 1999, but it was their collaboration on the Lee Ann Womack song which gained them recognition.
‘I Hope You Dance’ became a Billboard No.1 country music hit single, and a Billboard Top 20 pop music hit single, for Lee Ann Womack; the track received a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Song’, as well as a Grammy nomination for ‘Song of The Year’.
‘I Hope You Dance’ also received Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards for ‘Song of The Year’ in 2000 and stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for five consecutive weeks.
The song’s popularity led to the release of a book, ‘I Hope You Dance’, another collaboration of Tia Sillers & Mark D. Sanders; the book contained poems and writings inspired by the song. There is also an ‘I Hope You Dance’ children’s book and journal. Mark D. Sanders & Tia Sillers later collaborated again on an inspirational book entitled ‘Climb’.
Other hit songs from the pen of Mark D. Sanders include ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero) for George Strait, ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ for Jo Dee Messina and ‘My Heart Has A History’ for Paul Brandt.
In 2009, Mark D. Sanders was inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame; the induction ceremony took place at the 39th Anniversary Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony in Nashville on Monday 19 October 2009.
Mark D. Sanders is a songwriter extraordinaire!
Gene Watson recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Thinkin’ ‘Bout Leaving’ (co-written with Randy Albright and Butch Paulson) and included the track on ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983).
Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘A Matter of Wine’ and included the track on ‘After All This Time’ (MCA Records, 1983).
Vince Gill recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Oh, Carolina’ (co-written with Randy Albright and Jim Elliott) and included the track on ‘Turn Me Loose’ (RCA Records, 1984); the track reached No.38 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
In 1984, David Wills saw the release, on RCA Records, of ‘Macon Love’ (written by Randy Albright, Jim Elliott and Mark D. Sanders), a non-album single, which reached No.69 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
The Forester Sisters (Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Reckless Night’ (co-written with Alice Randall) and included the track on ‘The Forester Sisters’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985).
Jeannie C. Riley recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I Tell It Like It Used To Be’ (co-written with Ron Hellard and Michael Garvin) and included the track on ‘Jeannie C. Riley’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1986).
Jeannie C. Riley recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Love Is A Winding Road’ (co-written with Lisa Silver and Lisa Palas) and included the track on ‘Jeannie C. Riley’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1986).
Holly Dunn (Thursday 22 August 1957 – Tuesday 15 November 2016) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Small Towns (Are Smaller For Girls)’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson and Alice Randall) and included the track on ‘Cornerstone’ (MTM Records, 1987).
Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Like A Hurricane’ (co-written with Pat Alger) and included the track on ‘Untasted Honey’ (Mercury Records, 1987).
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa & Teresa McCarter) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I Know Love’ (co-written with Lisa Silver and Randy Albright) and included the track on ‘The Gift’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988).
Tom Wopat recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘One More Time Won’t Kill Me’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Don’t Look Back’ (Capitol Records, 1988).
Garth Brooks recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Victim of The Game’ (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989).
Randy Travis recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Have A Nice Rest of Your Life’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on ‘No Holdin’ Back’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).
Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Here’s Hoping’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989).
Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Willow In The Wind’ (co-written with Randy Albright and Lisa Silver) and included the track on ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989).
Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I’ll Take Care of You’ (co-written with Karen Staley) and included the track on ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989).
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘That’s One You Owe Me’ (co-written with Jim Elliott) and included the track on ‘Boom Chicka Boom’ (Mercury Records, 1990).
Diamond Rio recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Mirror, Mirror’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Diamond Rio’ (Arista Records, 1991); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Trisha Yearwood recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Victim of The Game’ (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘Trisha Yearwood’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Linda Davis recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘From Him To Here’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on ‘In A Different Light’ (Liberty Records, 1991).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Running Behind’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Sticks & Stones’ (Atlantic Records, 1991); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
Michelle Wright recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘If I’m Ever Over You’ (co-written with Trisha Yearwood) and included the track on ‘Now & Then’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1992); the track reached No.33 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993.
Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 – Wednesday 9 March 2005) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy’ (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy’ (Liberty Records, 1992); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
Joan Kennedy recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Talk To My Heart’, which was co-written with David Roger Allen (Friday 8 September 1950 – Saturday 19 September 1992), and included the track on ‘Higher Ground’ (MCA Records, 1992); the track reached No.7 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992.
Collin Raye recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Many A Mile’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘In This Life’ (Epic Recods, 1992).
Matthews, Wright & King (Raymond Matthews, Woody Wright and Tony King) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘House Huntin’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Power of Love’ (Columbia Records, 1992); the track reached No.68 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
John Anderson recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Money In The Bank’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Solid Ground’ (BNA Records, 1993); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in July 1993.
Billy Dean recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘That’s What I Like About Love’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on ‘Fire In The Dark’ (Liberty Records, 1993).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Price of Pride’ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Ready For Love’ (Rounder Records, 1993).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Memories Remains’ (co-written with Randy Albright) and included the track on ‘Ready For Love’ (Rounder Records, 1993).
Nashville Bluegrass Band recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘When I Get Where I’m Going’, which was co-written with David Roger Allen (Friday 8 September 1950 – Saturday 19 September 1992), and included the track on ‘Waitin’ For The Hard Times To Go’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1993).
Nashville Bluegrass Band recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘On Again, Off Again’, which was co-written with David Roger Allen (Friday 8 September 1950 – Saturday 19 September 1992), and included the track on ‘Waitin’ For The Hard Times To Go’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1993).
Highway 101 recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘You Are what You Do’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘The New Frontier’ (Liberty Records, 1993).
Roger Ballard recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Way Beyond The Blue’ (co-written with Randy Albright and Lisa Silver) and included the track on ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ (Atlantic Records, 1993).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘House of Cards’ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Straw Into Gold’ (Rounder Records, 1994).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Spinning Straw into Gold‘ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Straw Into Gold’ (Rounder Records, 1994).
John Michael Montgomery recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘If You’ve Got Love’ (co-written with Steve Seskin) and included the track on ‘Kickin’ It Up’ (Atlantic Records, 1994); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in December 1994.
Reba McEntire recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Ed Hill, and included the track on ‘Read My Mind’ (MCA Records, 1994); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in April 1995.
Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Save This One For Me’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on ‘Looking For The Light’ (Columbia Records, 1995).
Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Bobbie Ann Mason’ and included the track on ‘Looking For The Light’ (Columbia Records, 1995); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Neal McCoy recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘They’re Playing Our Song’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘You Gotta Love That’ (Atlantic Records, 1995); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in July 1995.
Susie Luchsinger recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Love Will Carry The Load’ (co-written with Austin Cunningham) and included the track on ‘Come As You Are’ (Integrity Records, 1995).
Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Those Hands’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Rhett Akins, and included the track on ‘A Thousand Memories’ (Decca Nashville Records, 1995).
Faith Hill recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘It Matters To Me’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘It Matters To Me’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in January 1996.
Lonestar recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘No News’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Phil Barnhart, and included the track on ‘Lonestar’ (BNA Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in April 1996.
Lonestar recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Runnin’ Away With My Heart’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Michael Britt, and included the track on ‘Lonestar’ (BNA Records, 1995); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
Linda Davis recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘If I Could Live Your Life’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Some Things Are Meant To Be’ (Arista Records, 1996); this track was a duet with Reba McEntire.
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Yeah, Buddy’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Jeff Carson’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1996); the track reached No.69 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Get A Guitar’ (co-written with Jeff Carson) and included the track on ‘Jeff Carson’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1996).
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Preachin’ To The Choir’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Jeff Carson’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1996).
Jo Dee Messina recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Jo Dee Messina’ (Curb Records, 1996); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
George Strait recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Blue Clear Sky’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in June 1996.
Kenny Chesney recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Another Friday Night’ (co-written with Zach Turner and Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Me & You’ (BNA Records, 1996).
Sammy Kershaw recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Vidalia’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (Mercury Records, 1996); the track, which reached No.10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, was subsequently included on Sammy Kershaw‘s ‘The Ultimate Collection’ (Hump Head Country, 2008).
Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘See Rock City’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Learning As You Go’ (Sony Music, 1996); the track reached No.44 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Anytime’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Learning As You Go’ (Sony Music, 1996).
Ty England recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Backslider’s Prayer’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Two Ways To Fall’ (RCA Records, 1996).
Ty England recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Two Ways To Fall’ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Two Ways To Fall’ (RCA Records Nashville, 1996).
Randy Travis recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Don’t Take Your Love Away From Me’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on ‘Full Circle’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).
Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Don’t Get Me Started’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Rhett Akins, and and included the track on ‘Somebody New’ (Decca Nashville Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, and reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1996.
Paul Brandt recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘My Heart Has A History’ (co-written with Paul Brandt) and included the track on ‘Calm Before The Storm’ (Reprise Records, 1996); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
Ricochet recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Daddy’s Money’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Steve Seskin) and included the track on ‘Ricochet’ (Columbia Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in July 1996.
Reba McEntire recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I’d Rather Ride Around With You’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘What If It’s You’ (MCA Records, 1996); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Dreamin’ Out Loud’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in April 1997.
Aaron Tippin recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘A Door’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits…& Then Some’ (RCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.65 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Clay Walker recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I’d Say That’s Right’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Rumor Has It’ (Giant Records, 1997).
Lonestar recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Come Cryin’ To Me’ (co-written with Wally Wilson and John Rich) and included the track on ‘Crazy Nights’ (BNA Records, 1997); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in August 1997.
Lee Ann Womack recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Buckaroo’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Lee Ann Womack’ (MCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.27 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
George Strait recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘That’s Me (Every Chance I Get)’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Carrying Your Love with Me’ (MCA Records, 1997).
Blackhawk recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Love & Gravity (Was Fallin’ From Her Good Graces)’ (co-written with Henry Paul and Dave Robbins) and included the track on ‘Love & Gravity’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1997).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Time Is A Bandit’ (co-written with Lisa Silver and Randy Albright) and included the track on ‘Life Is A Journey’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘When Life Hits Hard’ (co-written with Steve Seskin) and included the track on ‘Life Is A Journey’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
Rich McCready recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Leave A Little Somethin’ Behind’ (co-written with Danny Worley) and included the track on ‘That Just About Covers It’ (Magnatone Records, 1997).
Chely Wright recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Your Woman Misses Your Man’ (co-written with Ed Hill and Chely Wright) and included the track on ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1997).
Chely Wright recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Just Another Heartache’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1997).
Jason Sellers recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I’m Your Man’ (co-written with Austin Cunningham) and included the track on ‘I’m Your Man’ (BNA Records, 1997); the track reached No.37 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Two Ways To Fall’ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Harmony’ (Rounder Records, 1997).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Fools Hall of Shame’ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Harmony’ (Rounder Records, 1997).
Regina Regina (Regina Nicks & Regina Leigh) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Big Bad Broken Heart’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Regina Regina’ (Giant Records, 1997).
Greg Holland recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Primitive Man’ and included the track on ‘The Exception To The Rule’ (Elektra Records, 1997).
Greg Holland recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Divine Intervention’, which was co-written with Phil Barnhart and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘The Exception To The Rule’ (Elektra Records, 1997); this track was released as a single in 1997, but it did not chart.
Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 – Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘What If I Do’ (co-written with Ed Hill and David Malloy) and included the track on ‘If I Don’t Stay The Night’ (BNA Records, 1997); the track reached No.26 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 – Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Other Side of This Kiss’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and David Malloy) and included the track on ‘If I Don’t Stay The Night’ (BNA Records, 1997); the track reached No.41 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Cheatin’ On Her Heart’ (co-written with Porter Howell) and included the track on ‘Butterfly Kisses’ (Curb Records, 1997).
Tammy Graham recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Houdini’ (co-written with Mark Narmore and Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on ‘Tammy Graham’ (Career Records, 1997); Career Records was a division of Arista Nashville Records.
Wade Hayes recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Day That She Left Tulsa (In A Chevy)’ (co-written with Steve Diamond) and included the track on ‘When The Wrong One Loves You Right’ (Columbia Records, 1998); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Better Than It Used To Be’ (co-written with Neil Thrasher) and included the track on ‘What Living’s All About’ (Decca Records, 1998); the track reached No.47 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Happy As We Wanna Be’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘What Living’s All About’ (Decca Records, 1998).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Wouldn’t Any Woman’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Michelle McCord) and included the track on ‘Where Your Road Leads’ (MCA Records, 1998).
Diamond Rio recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘What More Do You Want From Me’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Unbelievable’ (Arista Records, 1998).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Quittin’ Kind’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Phil Barnhart, and included the track on ‘A Night To Remember’ (Epic Records, 1999); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘She’s Still There’, which was co-written with Tim Johnson (Friday 29 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012), and included the track on ‘More’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1999).
Martina McBride recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘There You Are’ (co-written with Ed Hill and Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘Emotion’ (RCA Records, 1999); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 1999.
Martina McBride recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere’ (co-written with Tia Sillers) and included the track on ‘Emotion’ (RCA Records, 1999).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘New Orleans’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Steve Seskin) and included the track on ‘How Do You Like Me Now’ (DreamWorks Records, 1999).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I Hope You Dance’ (co-written with Tia Sillers) and included the track on ‘I Hope You Dance’ (MCA Records, 2000); the track, which featured guest vocals from Sons of The Pioneers, was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for four weeks in July / August 2000, and No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2000.
Darryl Worley recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Way Things Are Goin’ (co-written with Darryl Worley) and included the track on ‘Hard Rain Don’t Fall’ (DreamWorks Records, 2000).
Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Come Home’ (co-written with Ed Hill and Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘Chrome’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2001).
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Divine Intervention’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Phil Barnhart, and included the track on ‘Real Life’ (Curb Records, 2001).
Alan Jackson recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘That’d Be Alright’ (co-written with Tim Nichols and Tia Sillers) and included the track on ‘Drive’ (Arista Records, 2002).
Aaron Tippin recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Honky Tonk If You Love Country’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Stars & Stripes’ (Lyric Street Records, 2002).
Claire Sweeney recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘I Hope You Dance’ (co-written with Tia Sillers) and included the track on ‘Claire’ (Telstar Records, 2002).
Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Baby’s Gone’ (co-written with Tim Nichols and Tia Sillers) and included the track on ‘Comin’ On Strong’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2003).
Billy Currington recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Off My Rocker’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain and Billy Currington) and included the track on ‘Billy Currington’ (Mercury Records, 2003).
Jeff Bates recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Hands On Man’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain and Michael White) and included the track on ‘Leave The Light On’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006).
Josh Turner recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Loretta Lynn’s Lincoln’ (co-written with Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Your Man’ (MCA Records, 2006).
Vince Gill recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘A River Like You’ and included the track on ‘Little Brother’, an acoustic album included within ‘These Days’ (MCA Records, 2006), a box set; the track featured guest vocals from Jenny Gill.
Lori McKenna recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Drinkin’ Problem’ (co-written with Lori McKenna) and included the track on ‘Unglamorous’ (Warner Bros. Records / StyleSonic Records, 2007).
Lori McKenna recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Leaving This Life’ (co-written with Lori McKenna) and included the track on ‘Unglamorous’ (Warner Bros. Records / StyleSonic Records, 2007).
On Friday 17 October 2008, Mark D. Sanders was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s Songwriters Hall of Fame; the ceremony took place at Nashville-Renaissance Hotel.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Tulsa Sounds Like Trouble To Me’ (co-written with Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Speed of Life’ (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Records, 2009).
Reba McEntire recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘The Day She Got Divorced’ (co-written with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) and included the track on ‘All The Women I Am’ (Starstruck / Valory Records, 2010).
Jonathan Edwards recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘My Love Will Keep’ (co-written with Adrienne Young) and included th/e track on ‘My Love Will Keep’ (Appleseed Recordings, 2011).
Brandy Clark recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Take A Little Pill’ (co-written with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) and included the track on ’12 Stories’ (Smith Entertainment, 2013).
Brandy Clark recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Day She Got Divorced’ (co-written with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) and included the track on ’12 Stories’ (Smith Entertainment, 2013).
Alan Jackson recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Way Beyond The Blue’ (co-written with Randy Albright and Lisa Silver) and included the track on ‘The Bluegrass Album’ (Alan’s Country Records / EMI Nashville, 2013).
Brandy Clark recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘Big Day In A Small Town’ (co-written with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) and included the track on ‘Big Day In A Small Town’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2016).
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Mark D. Sanders’ ‘They’re Playing Our Song’, which was co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘Thin Line’ (Blue Cadillac Music, 2016).
Mark D. Sanders’ Career Highlights
• Two-time Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) ‘Songwriter of The Year’ (1995-1996)
• ASCAP ‘Country Songwriter of The Year’ (1997), among more than forty songwriter performance achievement honors, including two ASCAP ‘Song of The Year’ Awards: ‘No News’ and ‘I Hope You Dance’
• Best Country Song Grammy winner for writing Lee Ann Womack’s smash ‘I Hope You Dance’, also named ‘Song of The Year’ by Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)
• With co-writer Tia Sillers, authored book inspired by ‘I Hope You Dance’ (2 million books sold)
• Four Country Music Association (CMA) Triple Play Awards given for three No.1s in a twelve-month period
• Recognised as ‘Songwriter of The Year’ by industry publications, including Billboard, Music Row and American Songwriter
• Visit Mark D. Sanders‘ Nashville Songwriters Foundation Feature