Mark and the Music

When Mark was a boy he dreamt of getting a band together and calling it “Mark and The Markers,” maybe headlining on The Ed Sullivan Show or American Bandstand. It was a short-lived dream and the American public was denied the thrill of ever seeing Mark and The Markers appear on national television.

Apparently his interest in basketball and baseball distracted him enough to make him forget about his musical aspirations. It wasn’t until 1983 that Mark, minus The Markers, made his radio debut at KANW after successfully completing a radio broadcasting class at T.V.I..

Mark saw this prospect as an avenue to play his favorite music, the music of Santana, Tito Puentes, Malo, War, Tower of Power, Gloria Estefan, Jose Feliciano, Axteca, etc. This also presented Mark with a challenge and an exciting “hobby” to dabble in on his days off from his job at U.S. West.

As it happened, Mark hit the ground running and quickly earned a regular spot on Saturday mornings at 89.9 KANW FM. Mark was ecstatic about the opportunity to introduce listeners to “The Latin Magic Hour” which began at noon following “The Spanish Show.” Disappointment followed after a few years of his popular noon time program as it was canceled for supposedly not attracting enough listeners. I thought about that as I savored every drop of the recent telecast of the First Annual Latino Grammy Awards Show. It was Mark's hope that one day he would be allowed to revive “The Latin Magic Hour.”

Mark turned his full attention to “The Spanish Show” and relished the idea of waking-up the “gente” of New Mexico. Songs like “Las Mananitas,” “Crei,” “Flor de Las Flores,” y “Arriba Nuevo Mexico” became his wake up calls for family and friends across the state. The dedication and request line rang off the wall and Mark needed help answering the calls. That’s where I came in. He figured since we were classmates in the radio broadcasting class, and being his twin sister, I had the minimum qualifications necessary to join him on Saturday mornings. Our Saturday morning chitchat and banter included quibbling over whose turn it was to bring in the breakfast burritos. All the sibling-sass was actually embraced by the listeners.

Mark began to think of ways to showcase the musicians and music of New Mexico. Drawing on his own wits, determination and resources, he organized the first “Latin Music Festival,” From obtaining an appropriate venue to accommodate the event, insurance, sponsors, security, to parking, food, beverages and rest rooms. Mark covered all the logistics. Entertainers like Roberto Griego, Al Hurricane & Jr., Chris Abeyta & “Lumbre Del Sol,” and “Red Wine” eagerly rallied around Mark in support of his endeavors from the get-go. Non-profit organizations became benefactors of the proceeds earned from the concerts and Mark was glad to be able to put back into the community.

Mark blazed trails in his efforts to promote New Mexico music and he was a champion of the highest caliber in satisfying the hardy appetites of his beloved fellow New Mexican’s who were hungry to hear and see their hometown, musical favorites. Little Joe Y La Familia, Ram Herrera, Jose Feliciano and Tower of Power were among the internationally known musicians brought in, as people gathered at local parks and plazas by the thousands to celebrate the savory music.

What mattered most to Mark besides his precious Nancy, Mark, Maria Elena and Sophia, was the music. Listeners taped the music and Mark took pride in knowing that the distinctive flavor of New Mexico was being heard all over the world. During the Persian Gulf conflict in 1992-93 men and women from New Mexico wrote to request songs and make dedications to their loved ones back here, at home. We received the most endearing correspondence from those deployed out at sea aboard carriers and ships. The musica nortena, including the rich, rancheras, cumbias, and mariachi sounds resonated in barracks and battalions across the other side of the globe.

All of Mark’s time and energy devoted to promoting the music was done on a volunteer basis. The rewards of his hard work were priceless. Mark and I became part of the hearts and homes of our family of listeners, and that is what kept the fire going in Mark. His infectious enthusiasm generated an excitement about New Mexican music that was awesome to witness.

Mark’s relentless pursuit of promoting la musica de la gente was stellar and was done with a combination of respect, humility and pride for the people who played and listened. Today Mark is regarded by many in the local and international music industry as a good-humored man of integrity and remains our “Mark of Excellence.”

by Mary Ellen “Maria Elena” Ipiotis
September 2000