Most everyone knows that you started singing with your Dad and brother. Give us a little history about how you guys got started.
We started singing in church. At first, our mom sang along with Kenny, myself and dad. As we started going other places to sing, mom didn't want to stand in front of people and sing, opting to sit and listen. When Grannie Bishop wasn't able to come hear us sing at church because of her health, we recorded an album so she could still hear her son and grandsons sing. It started mushrooming from there.
Who were your musical influences when you were developing as a singer?
I listened to a lot of music growing up. Mom and dad had a couple dozen albums and I remember listening to Gospel albums by Elvis and Ray Stevens, The Swanee River Boys and a lot of albums by The Rambos. A little later I discovered Doyle Lawson and Quicksiver. It was in his music that I discovered the joy of singing the different harmony parts.
Now that you've been singing as a soloist for a few years, what are the challenges in singing by yourself, as compared with singing with your family?
The job itself is in many ways the same. Write and put out meaningful music that connects with the listeners heart. When you are granted the privilege of standing on stage, do not waste your audience's time... have something to say in your music. The difference's I suppose are in the presentation and I have learned a lot about the differences in the dynamics of a solo presentation and an ensemble presentation. A group has the luxury of "tag-teaming" the audience and that makes for a seamless sense of constant motion on stage. The challenges as a soloist are finding ways to keep variety in the presentation. It's much harder to do that as a soloist, but when you figure it out, it becomes less daunting and you enjoy the freedom of singing exactly what you need to sing for the moment.
Your song writing has gotten you a lot of attention lately. What is your inspiration for your songwriting? Is your best song yet to come? Do you prefer writing or singing?
I love both... I really do. For me, singing and writing is what I do and they both go hand in hand. I love writing songs that I will later get to share firsthand with an audience. Some of my friends who are writers must give their songs over to other artists for another layer of interpretation. Some singers can stand up and sing a song a thousand times and never hear what the songwriter intended. I am blessed to write a song that touches my soul and to turn around and share that feeling with an audience. There is no middle man in a Mark Bishop concert and that may be why it works for me.
As far as my best song being yet to come... This summer, folks will hear the album that I have always wanted to write. It will engage the listener like never before into a beautiful story of faith and love. I have always loved writing songs that tell stories. This new album, entitled "The Fields of Love" is an epic story, told over the length of the entire album. It's really very novel and unique... I know we've all heard that a hundred times before but when you hear it, you'll know that it wasn't just hype. If folks would like to know more about it (commercial plug alert...) they can visit http://www.thefieldsoflove.com after June 1st.
What should a Pastor expect when Mark Bishop shows up for a service?
First thing? A handshake and a smile. Beyond that, a person who has something to say...about a variety of subjects! A person who is excited about the subject matter he's exploring with the audience. Anyone who knows my music... has listened to the albums... knows that I won't record songs that don't have something to say. I try hard not to waste the audiences time, precious as it is these days. The greatest compliment is when I'm finished and folks don't realize how much time has passed. That means to me that they were engaged in the experience.
What has the Lord been teaching you lately?
Definately to experience and enjoy the now. I can be so guilty of looking ahead and anticipating, that I forget to live where I'm at. Of course, that is also a product of the times we all live in. Think about it... our generation lives in hyper-drive compared to preceding generations. For the sake of my family though, I have a wife and two school-age daughters, it is important that I be there physically and mentally for them. God reminds me of this in subtle ways... that our time here is fleeting.
How has your ministry changed in the past 5 years?
I would say that it is much more focused. I traveled for seventeen years with my family and a few other talented singers and musicians and there was always an ebb and flow to the mood and temperament of the whole thing. With so many personalities and dispositions, it could be hard to get the whole herd running in the same direction. When it did, it was greater than great. When it didn't, it could be a frustrating thing. At this point in my life and my ministry, there are less hurdles on the track. I can sprint the whole way.
What song in your whole library do you feel has touched the most people? Why? What song touches you most as you are ministering? Is there a song that you heard and immediately said, "I wish I had written that."?
Wow... I hear songs all the time that I wished I had written. Or at least, I wish that I had explored the idea that they have written about... what a lot of songwriters call "hooks". I like writing about ideas. I like writing about small things that turns out, are large. I guess that's why my inclanation is toward songs that tell the listener a story. When a listener listens to a song where a character is forced to make choices or air out their feelings, well something clicks for the listener. They process the situation with themselves in the cast and suddenly, they are somewhere else. It is a very gratifying way to enjoy music.
Which song has touched the most people? I couldn't say. Should I pick out the songs that were at the top of the charts? The number one songs? Those would be obvious choices because they were heard by a lot of people, but I feel God has a different use for different songs. God may have inspired me to write some songs for a specific person, at a specific time, completely unknown to me. It might have been a completely ineffectual song commercially, but in the bigger picture, God might have gotten the glory from it in his plan.
If someone wanted to get in touch with you for a booking, how would they do that?
They can call the wonderful christian folks at The Harper Agency- 615-851-4500
Visit Mark Bishop online at http://www.markbishopmusic.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 06/01/2008
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 4
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I remember when The Bishops came to Greenville MS. around 1990. My son was 9 years old and had started playing drums. When The Bishops called him up to play on a couple songs, he was EXCITED! Our son went on to be an awesome drummer as the years have gone by. From that gesture of taking time for a kid drummer, the name Bishop will always be honored and welcomed in our home. We have followed their various ministries and we have not heard a song we don't like. Thanks for taking time for a kid and some proud parents!
I love the story songs, Mark. Keep up the good work.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Mark - we always enjoy SO MUCH each time we are privileged to see and hear you in person... There is no song of yours which is a favorite - each one has a special meaning to it! I am thankful we get to benefit from your gift of music and writing - thanks for allowing God to work through you.
The Bryants
Yeah, Mark!
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