Dallas Marks



Some say it takes years to create an overnight success. You take small steps and work your way up. That may be the rule, but country singer Dallas Marks may prove to be the exception. Few artists have achieved what Dallas has in so little time. He has won two dozen vocal competitions; performed standing room only shows; recorded with a gold record producer; fronts a band of musicians that has played with top country stars; and secured a record deal with an Indie label in under six months. Not bad for a few first steps! In addition, Dallas Marks, the twenty-four year old baritone finished out his first year in music completing his debut CD entitled "Tin Roof". His label is looking to follow it’s release an intensive promotional plan that includes showcases through out the U.S. According to Dallas Marks, he’s been on the run since the beginning. "I have to remind myself to catch my breath now and then," says Dallas. His sprint began October 2001 when the 6’3, blue-eyed Marks won a vocal competition at a George Strait concert. This contest, one of twelve Dallas had won that year, required him to beat out 1,500 other participants to win a recording session in Nashville in November. It was there that he met songwriter, Tom Barnishin and A&R rep Tom Hill from Pinnacle Artist, Development & Records. After a brief first meeting, Hill had sensed opportunity and sketched out terms for a contract on the spot. As Dallas finished up in Nashville, song material was being prepared in New York City for a January 1, 2002 recording start date. Marks later met up with producers in a West Virginia studio to lay down rough tracks before moving on to Nashville to complete the main body of work. While the final mixes were under way, Grammy nominated gold record producer DJ Strobe, who handled both pre and post-production for "Tin Roof", was creating dance mixes from two cuts off of the CD. Strobe says "A song with cross-over potential brings value to a project and widens your market through exposure." These tracks will circulate the dance/pop community before the release of "Tin Roof". By March, Dallas had finished recording tracks for twenty songs in between photo shoots, band auditions, and rehearsals. "Management has had me running since day one and they say that this is the easy part but I look forward to the challenge." Recently, while visiting a country dance hall, Marks had the chance to preview the public’s reaction to his songs. The DJ honored Dallas’s request to play "Turn to You" and "Follow You Down". Marks, who was overwhelmed by new fans, later remarked. "By the end of the second song I had signed over 200 autographs!" Other songs featured are "Too Many Wrongs", "Small World", "Burn You Like a Fire", "Stop Pretending", as well as others. Dallas currently performs with his band who have played with the likes of David Allen Coe Tanya Tucker; Red Sovine and Brad Paisley.

Bill Gendron (Drums)



I've been playin drums since I was a small child & have been playing professionally since 92. My musical spectrum is pretty diverse. I've been in heavy rock bands, classic rock and had an all original band called SPORADIC which played everything from Jazz to progressive funk, reggae, soul with a little hip hop.

I've had the opportunity to open for acts like Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead Bassist), Lee Rocker, The Jerry Garcia Band, Derek Trucks, played the side stage at Dave Matthews and most recently opened for Randy Travis. I listen to pretty much every genre of music from country to jazz and everything in between.

Justin Brown (Bass)



I started playin bass in 1989 after joining a jazz group, where the piano player was better than me. I went to CMU & Slippery Rock summer music camps. Started in Jazz. Then played in Oldies Bands. Then Blues. Some Calypso. Then Rock. Then Reggae. Now country, which I really like. Most memorable moment was playing with John Coltrane's son and him diggin me. Opened for Taj Mahal. What I like about music most is the infinite possibilities with any song at any time. Plus I like the ladies.

Bands I played in: The El Capris, The Memories, The Ink Spots, R.H. Factor, Rodney McCoy, Jimmy Ponder, Sleeping Giants, Push, The Sleaze, Crawlin Low Band, Daryl Flemming, Fuzzy Comets, Chismo Charles, Random Play, Kehonia Koncept, Pitt Jazz Band, Erin Burkett, Billy Mancini, Paul Tabacheneck.

Vince Commute (Pedal Steel)



Pedal Steel Player from North Hills, PA