Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) Episode 545: Mark D. Conklin
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK BRINGS
SCRIPTURE TO LIFE WITH MUSIC’S TOP NAMES
Gloria Gaynor, Rita Wilson, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Rhonda Vincent
and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Among Star-Studded Guests
Uniting a veritable who’s who of Gospel, soul and country music luminaries for a uniquely inspired collection of song and spoken word, The Gospel According to Mark is set for release May 17 from StowTown Records. Created by and featuring acclaimed singer/songwriter Mark D. Conklin, the project’s 12 standout musical collaborations are interwoven with 12 Scripture vignettes voiced by iconic songstress Gloria Gaynor.
Produced by Conklin who also wrote or co-penned each musical selection and GRAMMY winner Mark Prentice, the project offers fresh perspective on the New Testament book of Mark, chronologically conveying the account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. With Gaynor’s narrations anchoring every song, The Gospel According to Mark showcases musical contributions from renowned actress and singer Rita Wilson; internationally revered collegiate ensemble The Fisk Jubilee Singers; Gospel trailblazers The Fairfield Four; the “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent; Southern Gospel leaders Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; GRAMMY-winning recording artist John Berry; and ‘80s country hitmaker T. Graham Brown, among many others.
“While serving as the director of the GRAMMY Museum Experience at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, I had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary recording artist Gloria Gaynor in 2020,” Conklin recalls. “After spending time with her album and speaking with her about her unwavering dedication to the Lord, an awakening occurred within me. It ignited a long-dormant desire to embark on my own worship project dream I had put off for years.”
“Later, as I edited the audio of my interview with Gloria for a podcast, it hit me like a bolt of lightning,” he adds. “I knew THAT voice, HER voice, was the one! To my great delight and surprise, she graciously agreed to join me on my musical journey, and I will be forever grateful.”
“I’m so honored to have been asked to narrate The Gospel According to Mark and lend my voice to such an uplifting project that Mark D. Conklin has brought to life,” Gaynor shares. “To be part of such an amazing gathering of talent to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly a blessing for me.”
The Gospel According to Mark is highlighted by lead single “The Greatest is Love,” which is now available on digital platforms. Featuring acclaimed recording artist Wendy Moten, a runner-up on NBC’s “The Voice," the retro rock 'n soul track embodies the nostalgic sounds of Memphis and Muscle Shoals.
Additional album standouts include the Rita Wilson spotlight “Through the Storm”; “Oh, Lonely Day,” a stirring Good Friday anthem with vocal contributions from John Berry and Rhonda Vincent; and the soulful “Take This Cup” with The Fairfield Four, an emotive musical rendering of Jesus’ struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Conklin has also authored an exclusive devotional companion for The Gospel According to Mark. Unpacking scripturally-rooted insight behind each of the album’s 12 songs, the devotions present encouragement for daily living, reflective questions and directed prayers.
ABOUT MARK D. CONKLIN
A genre-spanning music executive, recording artist, songwriter and producer, Mark D. Conklin’s music has appeared on Billboard’s country, blues and bluegrass charts, as well as on such hit TV shows as “Grey’s Anatomy” and in various national advertising campaigns. He served as host of the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center's three online conversation series: "Off the Record,” “Behind the Songs” and “Mini Masterclass." In this role, Conklin interviewed more than 200 artists, including Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey; DJ Khaled; BTS; Ellie Goulding; Luke Combs; and Kane Brown. Returning to his first love as a singer/songwriter, the New Jersey native released his roots-country EP, Starting Over, in 2020.
ABOUT STOWTOWN RECORDS
StowTown Records was founded in 2011 by Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun and welcomed partners Landon Beene and Nate Goble in 2014. A powerhouse independent Gospel music label, StowTown is home to renowned pop/Inspirational artists David Phelps, Charles Billingsley, Cana's Voice, TaRanda Greene, Jody McBrayer and Tiffany Coburn, as well as acclaimed comedian Tim Lovelace, and some of Southern Gospel's biggest names, including Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Doug Anderson, The Browns, The Erwins, Legacy Five, The Kramers, Sunday Drive, The Perrys, The Steeles, The Taylors, and Zane & Donna King. Distributed worldwide via Provident/Sony Distribution, StowTown Records artists have garnered GRAMMY® nominations, multiple GMA Dove Awards and chart-topping releases. A burgeoning leader in multi-genre entertainment, the company’s StowTown Worship imprint serves the Church with a diverse range of music and resources and features renowned genre pioneer The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as its flagship artist.
For further information visit:
markdconklin.com, stowtownrecords.com, turningpointpr.com.
Follow Conklin on Instagram and Facebook.
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This song appeared on over 80 Spotify playlists this Advent Season. I want to thank everyone for listening and sharing it this year.
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Endorsements:
“A perfect and needed addition to any Christmas playlist this year. Rick Lee James bringing home the Advent Message.”
-CCM Magazine https://www.ccmmagazine.com/music-video/rick-lee-james-advent-hymn-watching-waiting-longing/
“I love Advent Hymn (Watching, Waiting, Longing), which gives newness to the phrases of Isaiah. Watching, waiting, and longing is what we do now, and these songs help us do that in confidence. I anticipate that this album will be received as a great gift by many who will find their faith nourished and awakened by it.”
–Walter Brueggemann (Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary)
"I've watched Rick grow as an artist and songwriter for many years. Congratulations brother on an excellent independent release."
-Paul Baloche (Dove Award Winning Songwriter)
"Rick Lee James is a poet and singer. You will not only enjoy listening, you'll be drawn into the source –Jesus."
-Mike Harland
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