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 by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2006, 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 O’Connor, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 5 March 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Mark O’Connor who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Mark O’Connor
This quote was submitted on Sunday 5 March 2006.
‘I enjoyed adding my fiddle to Gene’s records.
His was such a classic voice, I felt I could really move my playing into a deeper place with his song interpretations.
It was a stand out for me, playing on his songs in Nashville’
Thank you, Mark O’Connor, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Mark O’Connor…
Mark O’Connor is a native of Seattle, Washington where he was born on Saturday 5 August 1961, and is a virtuoso on guitar and mandolin.
At the age of six, Mark O’Connor began guitar lessons. When he was ten years old, Mark O’Connor won his first contest and, by the time he was eleven, he could play mandolin, banjo, steel-string guitar and Dobro.
While still attending high school, Mark O’Connor was signed to Rounder Records, where he saw the release of the following six albums:
• ‘National Junior Fiddling Champion’ (Rounder Records, 1974)
• ‘Pickin’ In The Wind’ (Rounder Records, 1976)
• ‘Markology’ (Rounder Records, 1978)
• ‘On The Rampage’ (Rounder Records, 1979)
• ‘Soppin’ The Gravy’ (Rounder Records, 1979)
• ‘False Dawn’ (Rounder Records, 1982)
As a teenager, Mark O’Connor won national championships on the guitar and the mandolin, as well as the fiddle.
Mark O’Connor’s mentors were Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson (Thursday 22 April 1909 – January 1984), Jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli (Sunday 26 January 1908 – Monday 1 December 1997) and Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001).
In 1983, Mark O’Connor made a move to Nashville, where he soon became a popular, and much in-demand, session player. Mark O’Connor devoted himself to session work and appeared on nearly five hundred recordings in just over six years.
In 1987, Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) saw the release of her highly acclaimed album, ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Your Love’ (written by Beckie Foster and Tommy Rocco) (No.12, 1987) / this track, which also reached No.13 on the Canadian RPM Chart in 1987, featured background vocals from Ricky Skaggs
‘Talkin’ To Myself Again’, which was written by Jamie O’Hara (Friday 18 August 1950 – Thursday 7 January 2021) (No.16, 1987) / this track, which also reached No.23 on the Canadian RPM Chart in 1987, featured background vocals from The O’Kanes (Kieran Kane & Jamie O’Hara)
‘Beneath A Painted Sky’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) and Bucky Jones (No.25, 1988) / this track, which also reached No.28 on the Canadian RPM Chart in 1988, featured background vocals from Emmylou Harris
Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Steve Buckingham, featured extraordinary musicians and guest vocalists, including the following:
Ricky Skaggs: background vocals on ‘Your Love’ (written by Beckie Foster and Tommy Rocco)
Gene Watson: background vocals on ‘Tempted’ (written by Al Turney)
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009): duet vocal on ‘Some Things Will Never Change’, which was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes: Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
Emmylou Harris: background vocals on ‘Beneath A Painted Sky’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) and Bucky Jones
Vince Gill: background vocals on ‘I Wasn’t Meant To Live My Life Alone’ (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet)
Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin & Rudy Gatlin: background vocals on ‘Higher Ground’ (written by Steve Buckingham)
The O’Kanes – Kieran Kane & Jamie O’Hara (Friday 18 August 1950 – Thursday 7 January 2021): background vocals on ‘Talking To Myself Again’ (written by Jamie O’Hara)
Harry Stinson, John Wesley Ryles & Ricky Van Shelton: background vocals on ‘A Slow Burning Fire’ (written by Jan Buckingham and Valerie Smith)
Paul Overstreet: background vocals on ‘There’s No Heart So Strong’ (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet)
Rodney Crowell & Jeanne Smith: background vocals on ‘All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad’, which was written by Guy Clark (Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) and Richard Leigh
Musicians who participated in Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987) recording sessions included the following:
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, mandolin, guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Mark Casstevens, Steve Gibson and Steve Buckingham (guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar, Dobro)
Tom Robb (bass)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Randy McCormick (piano)
Jay Spell (accordian)
Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
Mark O’Connor played fiddle, on all tracks, on Gene Watson‘s ‘Honky Tonk Crazy‘ (Epic Records, 1987), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Honky Tonk Crazy’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Ron Peterson (No.43, 1987) / the track also reached No.30 on the Canadian RPM country music singles chart in 1987
‘Everybody Needs A Hero’, which was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) No.28, 1987) / the track also reached No.46 on the Canadian RPM country music singles chart in 1987
In 1988, Mark O’Connor played fiddle, on all tracks, on Gene Watson‘s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver) (No.5, 1988)
‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) (No.20, 1989) / this track also reached No.24 on the Canadian RPM country music singles chart in 1989
‘The Jukebox Played Along’, which was written by Ken Bell and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) (No.24, 1989) / this track also reached No.40 on the Canadian RPM country music singles chart in 1989
‘The Great Divide’ (written by John Lindley and Randy Travis) (No.41, 1989)
In 1990, Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) saw the release of ‘Walkin’ In The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1990), an album which marked Glen Campbell’s return to Capitol Records, and included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘She’s Gone, Gone, Gone’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.6, 1989) / this track, which was Glen Campbell’s last Top 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart, was released via Universal Records, a short-lived record label, which was founded by Jimmy Bowen
‘Walkin’ In The Sun’ (written by Jeff Barry) (No.61, 1990)
‘On A Good Night’, which was written by Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) and Keith Stegall / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
‘Somebody’s Leavin’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016), Rafe Van Hoy and Don Cook / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
Glen Campbell’s ‘Walkin’ in The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘You Will Not Lose’, which was written by Allen Toussaint (Friday 14 January 1938 – Tuesday 10 November 2015) / this track was a duet with Steve Wariner
‘If I Could Only Get My Hands On You Now’ (written by Larry Gatlin)
‘William Tell Overture’ (written by Gioachino Rossini) (arranged by Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) and Dennis McCarthy
‘Woodcarver’ (written by Rusty Wolfe) / this track, which was a duet with Lacy J. Dalton, also featured guest vocals from Steve Wariner
‘Cheatin’ Is’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Tied To The Tracks’ (written by J. Fred Knobloch and Gary Scruggs)
‘Jesus On Your Mind’ (written by Keith Stegall)
Personnel involved in the recording of Glen Campbell’s ‘Walkin’ in The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1990) included the following:
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Larrie Londin (Friday 15 October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) and James Stroud (drums)
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Pat Flynn (acoustic guitar)
David Hungate and Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
Glen D. Hardin and Larry Knechtel (piano)
Mike Lawler and David Innis (synthesizer)
Mark O’Connor (mandolin, fiddle)
Béla Fleck (banjo)
Conni Ellisor (violin)
John Cowan, Debby Campbell Olson and Gail Davies (additional background vocals)
Background vocals on ‘Jesus On Your Mind’ (written by Keith Stegall): Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin, Rudy Gatlin, Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Alan Jackson, Kathy Mattea, Paul Overstreet, Eddy Raven, Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White, Keith Stegall, Karen Staley, Cheryl White Warren, Buck White and Chris Zann
On Tuesday 29 January 1991, Pam Tillis saw the release of ‘Put Yourself In My Place’ (Arista Records, 1991), which was produced by Paul Worley and Ed Seay, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Don’t Tell Me What To Do’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.5, 1990)
‘One of Those Things’ (written by Pam Tillis and Paul Overstreet) (No.6, 1991)
‘Put Yourself In My Place’ (written by Carl Jackson and Pam Tillis) (No.11, 1991)
‘Maybe It Was Memphis’ (written by Michael Anderson) (No.3, 1991)
‘Blue Rose Is’ (written by Pam Tillis, Bob DiPiero and Jan Buckingham) (No.21, 1992)
Pam Tillis’s ‘Put Yourself In My Place’ (Arista Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘Melancholy Child’ (written by Pam Tillis and Bob DiPiero)
‘Draggin’ My Chains’ (written by Pam Tillis and Rick Carnes)
‘Ancient History’ (written by Bob DiPiero and John Scott Sherrill)
‘I’ve Seen Enough To Know’ (written by Pam Tillis and Radney Foster)
‘Already Fallen’ (written by Bob DiPiero and Pam Tillis)
Personnel involved in the recording of Pam Tillis’ ‘Put Yourself In My Place’ (Arista Records, 1991) included the following:
Eddie Bayers and Paul Leim (drums)
Bruce Bouton (steel guitar)
Dennis Burnside and Matt Rollings (piano)
Larry Byrom, Steve Gibson and John Jorgenson (electric guitar)
Ashley Cleveland, Vicki Hampton, Karen Staley, Harry Stinson and Tricia Walker (background vocals)
Carl Jackson (acoustic guitar)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, mandolin)
Pam Tillis (lead vocals, background vocals)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Pam Tillis’ ‘Put Yourself In My Place’ (Arista Records, 1991) reached No.10 on the included the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, No.69 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1991, and No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1991.
On Tuesday 16 April 1991, Mark O’Connor saw the release of ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), which was a country music album produced in conjunction with a variety of other musical artists.
Mark O’Connor selected a group of over fifty Nashville musicians, many of who had worked with him as session musicians. ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) was intended to ‘showcase the instrumental side of the Nashville recording scene’ (as stated in Mark O’Connor’s album liner notes).
Mark O’Connor’s ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) was awarded two Grammy Awards: ‘Best Country Instrumental Performance’ for Mark O’Connor, and ‘Best Country Collaboration with Vocals’ for Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs & Steve Wariner for their performance on ‘Restless’, which was written by Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998); this track also reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Mark O’Connor’s ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Restless’, which was written by Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998) (No.25, 1991) / this track featured Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs & Steve Wariner
‘Now It Belongs To You’ (written by Steve Wariner) (No.71, 1992)
Mark O’Connor’s ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘Bowtie’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Nashville Shuffle Boogie’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Pick it Apart’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Traveler’s Ridge’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Granny White Special’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Cat In The Bag’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘The Ballad of Sally Anne’ (traditional, lyrics written by Alice Randall, arranged by Mark O’Connor and Harry Stinson)
‘Swang’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Dance of The Ol’ Swamp Rat’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘A Bowl of Bula’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Limerock’ (traditional, arranged by Mark O’Connor and Edgar Meyer)
‘Sweet Suzanne’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Orange Blossom Special’, which was written by Ervin Thomas Rouse (Wednesday 19 September 1917 – Wednesday 8 July 1981)
Mark O’Connor’s ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) reached No.44 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, and also reached No.14 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart the same year.
Mark O’Connor won a Grammy Award for ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
It was also in 1991 when Vince Gill earned his first CMA ‘Vocal Event of The Year’ Award for his performance with Mark O’Connor & The New Nashville Cats (featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner) on Mark O’Connor’s ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
In 1991, Mark O’Connor contributed to Gene Watson‘s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991); Mark O’Connor played fiddle on the following tracks:
‘At Last’, which was written by Jay Booker and Jack Keller (Wednesday 11 November 1936 – Friday 1 April 2005)
‘This Could Go On Forever’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver)
‘Only Yesterday’ (written by Bob Regan)
‘This Country’s Bigger Than Texas’ (written by Hugh Prestwood)
Mark O’Connor also contributed to a further two tracks on Gene Watson‘s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991); Mark O’Connor played fiddle and viola on ‘I Catch Myself’, which was written by Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), and fiddle & mandolin on ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing).
On Tuesday 6 October 1992, Suzy Bogguss saw the release of ‘Voices In The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1992), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billlboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Letting Go’ (written by Suzy Bogguss and Doug Crider) (No.6, 1992)
‘Drive South’ (written by John Hiatt) (No.2, 1992)
‘Heartache’ (written by Lowell George and Ivan Ulz) (No.23, 1993)
Suzy Bogguss’ ‘Voices In The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Wanna’ (written by Cheryl Wheeler)
‘How Come You Go To Her’ (written by Suzy Bogguss, Michael Garvin and Anthony L. Smith)
‘Other Side of The Hill’ (written by Chuck Pyle)
‘In The Day’ (written by Suzy Bogguss and Doug Crider)
‘Love Goes Without Saying’ (written by Doug Crider and Tony Haselden)
‘Eat At Joe’s’ (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)
‘Lovin’ A Hurricane’ (written by John Hiatt)
‘Cold Day In July’ (written by Richard Leigh)
Personnel involved in the recording of Suzy Bogguss’ ‘Voices In The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1992) included the following:
Suzy Bogguss (lead vocals, backing vocals)
Bucky Baxter (electric guitar, pedal steel guitar)
Eddie Bayers (drums, backing vocals)
Gerald Alan Boyd (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals)
Sam Bush (mandolin)
David Campbell (string arrangements, conductor)
Bob Carpenter, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Doug Crider, John Guess, Jeff Hanna, Ted Hewitt, Jimmy Ibbotson, Abe Medic, Mike Reid, Karen Staley, Harry Stinson and Janie West (backing vocals)
Dan Dugmore (pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar)
Jimmie Fadden and Kirk ‘Jelly Roll’ Johnson (harmonica)
Vince Gill and Brent Rowan (electric guitar, backing vocals)
Mike Henderson (slide guitar, electric guitar, backing vocals)
John Barlow Jarvis (keyboards, DX-7 Synthesizer)
Mark Morris (percussion, backing vocals)
Johnny Neel (keyboards)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, violin)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Matt Rollings (piano, backing vocals)
Leland Sklar (bass, backing vocals)
Suzy Bogguss’ ‘Voices In The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1992) reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1992, and No.116 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1992.
For six years in a row, between 1991 and 1996, Mark O’Connor was named ‘Musician of The Year’ by The Country Music Association (CMA).
Mark O’Connor has crossed musical genres, composing, arranging and recording folk, classical and jazz music.
Mark O’Connors’ ‘His ‘Fiddle Concerto’ has received over two hundred performances, making it one of the most performed concertos written in the last fifty years.
Mark O’Connor recorded solo albums for Rounder Records, Warner Bros. Records, Sony and his own OMAC Records label.
Mark O’Connor has composed six violin concertos, string quartets, string trios, choral works, solo unaccompanied works and a new Symphony.
Mark O’Connor has worked and recorded with a wide variety of artists, including Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001), James Taylor, Michelle Shocked, Alison Krauss, Bela Fleck, Renée Fleming, Stéphane Grappelli (Sunday 26 January 1908 – Monday 1 December 1997), Patty Loveless, and The Dixie Dregs.
By 1991, when he released ‘The New Nashville Cats’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), which was a Grammy Award-winning album, Mark O’Connor was following a more independent career and was writing much of his own material.
On Tuesday 17 September 1996, composer Mark O’Connor, double-bassist & composer Edgar Meyer, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma saw the release of ‘Appalachia Waltz’ (Sony Classical Records, 1996), which was the first album from the trio, and included the following tracks:
‘The Green Groves of Erin / The Flowers of Red Hill’ (traditional, arranged by Edgar Meyer)
‘Appalachia Waltz’ (written by Mark O’Connor / arranged by Edgar Meyer)
‘Chief Sitting In The Rain’ (traditional, arranged by Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor)
‘Mama’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Butterfly’s Day Out’ (written by Mark O’Connor / arranged by Edgar Meyer)
‘Druid Fluid’ (written by Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor)
‘First Impressions’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Étienne et Petunia’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘F.C.’s Jig’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘College Hornpipe’ (traditional, arranged by Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor)
‘Pickles’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Old Country Fairytale’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Schizoozy’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Star of The County Down’ (traditional, arranged by Edgar Meyer)
‘Speed The Plow Medley’ (traditional, arranged by Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor)
‘Fair Dancer Reel’ (written by Mark O’Connor / arranged by Edgar Meyer)
Personnel involved in the recording of Mark O’Connor, Edgar Meyer & Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘Appalachia Waltz’ (Sony Classical Records, 1996) included the following:
Mark O’Connor (violin, mandolin on ‘Butterfly’s Day Out’)
Yo-Yo Ma (cello)
Edgar Meyer (bass, piano on ‘First Impressions’)
In 2000, composer Mark O’Connor, double-bassist & composer Edgar Meyer, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma saw the release of ‘Appalachian Journey’ (Sony Classical Records, 2000), which was the second album from the trio, and included the following tracks:
‘1B’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Misty Moonlight Waltz’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Hard Times Come Again No More’, which was written by Stephen Foster (4 July 1826 – 13 January 1864) / arranged by James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer and Mark O’Connor
‘Indecision’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Limerock’ (traditional, arranged by Mark O’Connor and Edgar Meyer)
‘Benjamin’ (written by James Taylor)
‘Fisher’s Hornpipe’ (traditional, arranged by Mark O’Connor)
‘Duet For Cello & Bass’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Emily’s Reel’ (written by Mark O’Connor / arranged by Edgar Meyer)
‘Cloverfoot Reel’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Poem For Carlita’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Caprice For Three’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
‘Second Time Around’ (written by Edgar Meyer)
‘Slumber My Darling’, which was written by Stephen Foster (4 July 1826 – 13 January 1864) / arranged by Edgar Meyer)
‘Vistas’ (written by Mark O’Connor)
Personnel involved in the recording of Mark O’Connor, Edgar Meyer & Yo-Yo Ma’s ‘Appalachian Journey’ (Sony Classical Records, 2000) included the following:
Mark O’Connor (violin)
Yo-Yo Ma (cello)
Edgar Meyer (bass)
James Taylor (vocals on ‘Hard Times Come Again No More’, guitar on ‘Benjamin’)
Alison Krauss (violin on ‘Fisher’s Hornpipe’, vocals on ‘Slumber My Darling’)
Composer Mark O’Connor, double-bassist & composer Edgar Meyer, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma won a Grammy Award for ‘Appalachian Journey’ (Sony Classical Records, 2000).
In April 2000, Mark O’Connor premiered his fourth violin concerto, ‘The American Seasons: Seasons of An American Life’, at Troy Music Hall in Troy, New York.
‘The American Seasons: Seasons of An American Life’ was recorded with Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra and was released in 2001.
In August 2000, Mark O’Connor’s third concerto, ‘Double Violin Concerto’, received its premiere, along with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg as soloist and the Chicago Symphony, with Christoph Eschenbach conducting.
In November 2003, Mark O’Connor and Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg recorded the work with Marin Alsop conducting the Colorado Orchestra.
In June 2001, Mark O’Connor saw the release of ‘Hot Swing!’ (OMAC Records, 2001), which was a tribute to his great friend and mentor, the legendary French Jazz master, Stéphane Grappelli (Sunday 26 January 1908 – Monday 1 December 1997).
Released on Mark O’Connor’s own OMAC Records label, ‘Hot Swing!’ (OMAC Records, 2001) was recorded ‘live’ with Frank Vignola on guitar and Jon Burr on bass.
The ensuing Hot Swing album, ‘Live in New York’, received similar praise and ushered in a new group line-up with original member Frank Vignola on guitar and, new to the ensemble, guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi and vocalist Heather Masse.
In 2003, Mark O’Connor was commissioned by The Academy of St. Martin The Fields to compose a concerto for violin and chamber orchestra. Violin Concerto No. 6, ‘Old Brass’, takes its inspiration from a Beaufort, South Carolina plantation, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The recording, conducted by Joel Smirnoff, was released in March 2009 as the companion work to The Americana Symphony.
In November 2003, Mark O’Connor and Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg recorded the work with Marin Alsop conducting Colorado Orchestra.
Mark O’Connor recorded his String Quartet No.2, ‘Bluegrass’ and String Quartet No.3, ‘Old-Time’. The quartets were recorded with Ida Kavafian, Paul Neubauer and Matt Haimovitz, and was released in May 2009.
On Tuesday 13 April 2010, Mark O’Connor saw the release of ‘Jam Session’ (OMAC Records, 2010), which included ‘live’ acoustic recordings combining bluegrass and gypsy Jazz.
Mark O’Connor’s ‘Jam Session’ (OMAC Records, 2010) featured Chris Thile (mandolin), Frank Vignola (guitar), Bryan Sutton (guitar), Jon Burr (bass) and Byron House (bass).
• Visit Mark O’Connor’s official site at markoconnor.com