With three-decades of songwriting under his belt, Mark Wayne Glasmire has received nationwide recognition through songwriting contests such as Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase (2008), Dallas Songwriters Association Songwriting Contest (2008) and most recently the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at MerleFest in 2010. In 2012 he released his 7- track EP MWG, which Glasmire scored a #1 on the European charts with the single “I Like You” in 2011. This Friday, October 12, Glasmire will release Can’t Be Denied, his first album in 6 years, featuring his current single “I’ve Got A Feeling.”
We caught up with MWG to talk about his influences, the musical journey that took him from state to state and his new album,
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
MWG: Sure! I was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA. I fell in love with music at a young age and got my first guitar, as a Christmas present, when I was 10 years old. I was able to pay for the bulk of my college education, by playing, clubs, frat houses, restaurants and pretty much anywhere people would pay me to play. I eventually started writing my own songs, which over time, led me to Nashville, where I lived, wrote and performed for 10 years. I moved to Texas in 2005, where I currently live. I perform all over North America, including Canada, Mexico and of course the US.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
MWG: I grew-up in the ‘60s, so most of my influences were from that era. The Beatles where a major influence. I grew-up on the East coast and was not exposed to a lot of “real Country.” Instead, I listened to a lot of singer/songwriters like John Denver, Harry Chapin, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Cat Stevens and the like. I could totally relate to their stories and started writing in the same vein.
CN: While born in Pennsylvania, you currently reside in Texas. Can you talk about the ways each location has impacted you as an artist?
MWG: I have always felt fortunate to have grown-up in Bethlehem, PA. Bethlehem was a steel town (home of the once mighty Bethlehem Steel Co). As a result, it had a very diverse culture, made-up primarily of people from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Puerto Rico (now part of the US) and other countries. These were/are hard-working people, that had different religious beliefs and musical styles. Having been exposed to different cultures set the foundation for my ability to observe, learn and absorb a lot about people. In the part of town, I lived in, we also had corn, wheat and soy bean fields, as well as, the foothills of the Pocono Mountains. I lived on” Chicken-town Road,” with my family for a while in an old farm house. So even though we had the steel company and “city living,” we also had lots of open country. There always was/is a very rich musical culture, in that area. Music was still taught in public school when I was growing up. Our two public high schools had and still have outstanding, award-winning, marching bands, that have performed all over the world. Bethlehem is also home to the world renowned “Bach Choir.” Just 5-10 miles north of Bethlehem is Nazareth, PA, home of Martin Guitars. One of the largest music festivals, in North America, is held in Bethlehem every year. It is called Muzikfest, spelled like that due to the German heritage prevalent in the area. PA is in my DNA!
Believe it or not, there are a lot of similarities between PA and TX. Lots of the same types of hardworking people, from the same diverse places, founded and call TX home. They value God, family, and country. They are proud of who they are and loyal to their heritage. The music in Texas comes from the same diverse origins as the music from PA, with lots of German and Irish influences. Hence the Country/Folk/Americana, or “Red Dirt” music, as they like to call it here, thrives here. So, although at first glance, it appears these two places are drastically different, in a lot of ways they are very similar. So, for me it has been an easy musical and cultural transition.
CN: You also lived in NYC for a short while. What was your experience like being a country singer in the Big Apple?
MWG: I never actually “lived” in NYC. Sometimes people make that assumption because I spent a lot of time there. NYC is about 70 miles from Bethlehem, so I spent a fair amount of time driving back and forth. I was there 2-3 times a week for years, while still holding down a full-time construction job in PA. At the time I was performing there, I was considered more of a Contemporary Folk singer than I was a Country singer. As a result, I performed with a lot of popular “Folkies” like Dave Van Ronk, Tom Paxton, Suzanne Vega, Jessie Winchester and a long list of others. It was a wonderful experience, full of great memories. The funny thing was, at the time, lots of people told me my music was more suited for Nashville. I moved to Nashville and they told me my music was more suited for Texas. Now I am living in Texas and they tell me my music is more suited for California!! Go figure! lol
CN: Your next album, Can’t Be Denied, is set for release on October 12. That’s quite an assertive title. Can you tell us the backstory behind it?
MWG: Music has been a part of my make-up, for a very long time. Even though I have always made a living doing other things, being a musician and singer/songwriter will always part of my identity. There are somethings in life, that are just meant to be, and just can’t be denied.
CN: Each track was either written solo by you, or you co-wrote with others. Can you talk about your songwriting process?
MWG: I started writing my own songs, late in my career. I always had something I wanted to say but wasn’t confident enough to say it on my own. As mentioned before, I was being encouraged to check-out Nashville and in particular, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). I ended up joining and attending their annual conferences, while I was still living in PA. This was a big boost to my confidence, as a writer and opened me to the idea of co-writing. The beauty of co-writing is that you have someone to share ideas with. Sometimes the other person(s) will complete a thought for you or take your idea in another direction. I have found, that if I find the right chemistry, it can be magical and easy. I have been fortunate to have had some great co-writers, throughout my career. We usually start off a 2-3-hour session with small talk. Once we are relaxed, we share ideas, both melody and lyric, that we have been working on. Typically, this leads to a back-and-forth of thoughts and ideas. If all goes well, we come away with a song.
CN: How did the collaborations on Can’t Be Denied come to be?
MWG: This CD is a collection of songs I had written or co-written over the past few years. Some have been around a while, but never recorded. As I looked through my catalog, it was like meeting-up with an old friend and realizing that they needed to be recorded. I guess you could say they “Can’t Be Denied”! lol
CN: Every song on the album is very personal, each almost like a journey entry for a different moment in your life. Could you possibly take us through the background of each?
MWG: “I’ve Got A Feeling” was co-written with my friend Debi Champion. Debi and I have written a few songs together over the years. We always had good chemistry. This particular song was created by a conversation regarding “love at first sight” and whether or not either of us believed in it or ever experienced it. One thing led to another and someone said,” I had a feeling that you were feeling that feeling”. We finished the song in one (3-hour) session.
“Those Nights” was written several years ago. Needless to say, being in any relationship can be challenging at times. It can be especially challenging, when your occupation requires you to be away, whether you are a musician, a traveling salesman or any job or activity, that takes you away from home. I personally believe it is much more difficult on the partner, that stays at home.
“Can’t Be Denied is a song about meeting someone that you have felt like you have known forever. There is a connection that can’t be explained and is so strong, that it can’t be denied, it was just meant to be. This song is based on my personal relationship.
“Without You” is another song that was written a while ago. It is a true story and one that is more relevant in my life today, then it was when I wrote it. The song is pretty revealing and self-explanatory. I am amazed at how many people can relate to this song in their own lives.
“Alysia” is based on a one-day experience that my co-writer Lucas P Gravell experienced, while surfing in California. It is a tale of love-at-first-sight. A totally innocent connection that lives on in our memories.
“Borderline” was written with my good friend Tom Guardino. I had come-up with the melody and guitar licks and the idea of this dream-like story. It was loosely based on a combination of western movies. It is one of my favorites because, even though it is purely fictious, it really paints a visual. If you allow yourself to follow the story, it will take you on a little trip.
“Feel Your Love” was written after a particularly long week. In this world and particularly this business, there can be a lot of rejection. It can feel very personal and at times it is difficult to keep trudging forward. I have been at this a long time and continue to believe that you have to stay true to who you are. You may strike out a lot, but if you keep swinging for the fences, eventually one is going to connect.
“Gone Too Soon” was originally written during a vacation to the Outer-banks in the Carolinas. There were a lot of ship-wrecks along that coast and lots of young dreams died, as a result. This is the true story of a grand-father reminding their heir of the fact that life goes really fast.
“This Too Shall Pass” co-written with my good friend Bob Saporiti (AKA Reckless Johnny Wales). Bob has always been one of my mentors, regarding the music business. One day while in Nashville, he handed me a set of lyrics and said, “this is for you.” I took it and tweaked and added and changed some things and came-up with this song of reflection. It is one of the favorite songs I have been part of.
“Deep Inside My Heart” is another love-at-first-sight themes. It is loosely based on a real-life experience.
“Out Of The Frying Pan,” co-written with Craig Holland, is purely fictious. We met many years ago, at a NSAI conference. It was the first time I had ever co-written a song. This is a fun, upbeat song, with lots of energy. It is a crowd favorite and is in the running for my next single.
“Thru My Eyes” is a song I wrote about my relationship with my father. I have often said, that it is a song that I regret writing, but had to be written. My father is gone now and I wish I could talk with him and reassure him about how much he was loved and now missed.
CN: “I’ve Got A Feeling” was released as the lead single in July, and a beautifully romantic music video followed in August. Who came up with the idea behind the story of the video?
MWG: The video concept was a collaboration between myself and my videographer, Nolan Harper. Nolan is very creative and had some great ideas. The concept was to depict the creation of the song, with the actors visually telling the story, laid down on paper by the writer. I wanted a young couple, but not teenagers, to play the parts. The actors in the video are married in real life and were friends of a friend. People have commented about the on-screen chemistry between the two. Neither are professional actors, but they really tell the story.
CN: What do you hope fans, new and old, get out of Can’t Be Denied?
MWG: I hope they can relate to the stories. It can be very reassuring to know that we are not alone in our feelings. I hope they find the stories uplifting, positive and fun. I hope that it gives them a reprieve from daily life and of course I hope they each tell 100 of their closest friends about how great the songs are!!!! lol
CN: Do you have a dream collaboration in mind?
MWG: I would love to have a chance to write a song with Paul McCartney! I could die the day after and feel complete! lol
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
MWG: Solid. For the most part, I am grounded. I think I am loyal and dependable. I have never felt the need to be famous or desired a lot of attention and consider myself a team-player. I am willing to do whatever you need me to do, as-long-as, it does not violate my personal ethics and integrity. I have been fortunate to have worn a lot of hats in my life and work experience. I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO. I very grateful for that.
CN: What’s next on the horizon?
MWG: More and more music!! Live life to the fullest and try to continue to spread a positive message. Continue to be grateful for every day and never, ever give-up!
For more information on Mark Wayne Glasmire, visit his website at www.markwayneglasmire.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.