In the summer of 1979 or 1980 I went with a friend to a bluegrass festival at a small outdoors venue in the woods north of Spokane. Although I am a devoted amateur guitarist, it was my first exposure to bluegrass music in any meaningful way. Mark O'Connor was the headline act. I was totally unprepared for the incredible artistry I was about to experience. It still ranks at THE best and most enjoyable musical performance I have ever witnessed.
Mark if I'm not mistaken, I believe I was there when you gave this fiddle to the Hall of Fame a number of years ago, I recall something like that, memories getting a little foggy. The best to you.
Saw Mark in (1978 or 79?) in Calgary when he showed up at a local fiddle contest and took home most of that Canadian cash prize. I got some decent photos too. I think he was on some kind of contest circuit chasing prize money and probably making a good dollar. Anyway, it was not too many years after this video was made. Porter's band did a decent back-up job although Mark might have preferred that steel player to back off a little. Ha!
SUCH A GIFT! I first heard and saw you when you joined The Dregs. I became a big fan then and still regard you as one of my favorite musicians. Thanks for the cool footage!
In the summer of 1979 or 1980 I went with a friend to a bluegrass festival at a small outdoors venue in the woods north of Spokane. Although I am a devoted amateur guitarist, it was my first exposure to bluegrass music in any meaningful way. Mark O'Connor was the headline act. I was totally unprepared for the incredible artistry I was about to experience. It still ranks at THE best and most enjoyable musical performance I have ever witnessed.
circa2088 3 days ago
That's it! I'm taking up the flute!
raherql 5 days ago
The best!
Tonefid115 1 week ago
Mighty fine quality video from that long ago. What a treasure. And that was some great fiddle playing!
kjfitzgerald593 1 month ago
A great performance, and a sign of greater things to come in a stellar career.
olmmbill 2 months ago
Some very precious moment that not many people didn't find out
Thanks for posting it Mark
streetpunkradio 2 months ago
Mark if I'm not mistaken, I believe I was there when you gave this fiddle to the Hall of Fame a number of years ago, I recall something like that, memories getting a little foggy. The best to you.
MelBesher 2 months ago
what is that steel player doing?? it sure ain't working
dukeofearlbanjo 4 months ago 2
Saw Mark in (1978 or 79?) in Calgary when he showed up at a local fiddle contest and took home most of that Canadian cash prize. I got some decent photos too. I think he was on some kind of contest circuit chasing prize money and probably making a good dollar. Anyway, it was not too many years after this video was made. Porter's band did a decent back-up job although Mark might have preferred that steel player to back off a little. Ha!
G.P.
safeandsound100 5 months ago
The only other fiddler I have seen move their fingers that fast is Ruby Jane, a protege of Mark's. Mark was certainly a big boy.
cowboy229 6 months ago
Dang Mark...how tall were you at 13?? Do you still have that fiddle??
trkcop 6 months ago 2
Born to do what he is DOING...from then until now...
Hoosierfiddler 6 months ago
SUCH A GIFT! I first heard and saw you when you joined The Dregs. I became a big fan then and still regard you as one of my favorite musicians. Thanks for the cool footage!
nintzelj 7 months ago
great Mark!
rogervazz 1 year ago
Mark was as slick as greased owl shit even then.
donnyaldridge 1 year ago
That's just crazy good, Mark!
JazzLark 1 year ago
Thanks for this nice footage Mark.
nasty5oh 1 year ago