Full Name: Mark Blaine Given, SR                                   

Nickname: Pops

Birthday: 7/25/56

Myspace Site:

Facebook Name: markgiven

Instruments Played: vocals / trumpet / trombone / keyboards / tambourine / cowbell / claves / vibraslap / Chinese bells / wind chimes / tinkle sticks / woodblock / drums / finger cymbals / vocal twits / malorica chava / tambrica formada / oracle timbale  

Off-Stage Responsibility: yell louder then should be humanly acceptable / bad attitude

Musical Influences: Bill Chase / Freddie Hubbard / Maynard Ferguson / Chicago / Blood Sweat and Tears / early Elton John / Count Basie / Peter Frampton / Disco baby!

Top 5 CD’s: I don’t buy cd’s anymore. I have an Ipod!

Education: Elon College – BA Music Performance / Online University – PHD Neurological Linguistics

Favorite Food: Mexican / Chinese

Favorite Store: anything online!

Favorite Song: Whenever I See Your Smiling Face – James Taylor

Favorite Artist/Band: Chicago / Earth Wind and Fire / Kenny Loggins / Diana Krall / Shrimp Shack Shooters

Favorite Book: Book of Mormon / The Success Principles

Favorite Movie: Ishtar

Favorite TV Show: American Idol

Favorite Vacation Spot: Maui

Favorite Gig: Yours

Just once, I’d like to be asked: Are you available to perform in Europe?

The question that I get asked the most is: Are those really all your kids?

What Makes Me Laugh? My family

What Makes Me Cry? Sincere kindness and unrighteous unkindness

Pre-show Ritual: grumpy, fuss, laugh, and of course the bathroom(too much information)

Toughest Crowd: Valentines party for the singles at the fairgrounds!

Monster Trucks or Ballet? Jazz baby!

Saddest Ending: The night my dad died – He was my hero! But now I have Janice and the kids and they have replaced him!!

Describe A Big Night Out: Temple and P.F. Changs with the fam