Mark Collie is a man of many talents-recording artist, record producer, songwriter, filmaker, andphilanthropist. Born in Waynsboro, Tennessee, Mark developed a passion for writing and performing musicearly in life. This passion eventually led him to Nashville where his blues-based rockabilly soundexploded onto the national country music scene in 1991. "I've come a long way from where I started," hesays with a laugh, "but there's a long stretch of road ahead."
Collie found success with his fresh and unique style of music. His five albums on MCA Records, HardinCounty Line, Born and Raised in Black and White, Mark Collie, Unleashed, and Tennessee Plates havespawned country hit after hit. "Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying", "Born To Love You," and "HardLoving Woman," earned him songwrting awards with BMI and ASCAP in the category of "Most Performed Songsof The Year".
In addition to penning the majority of songs on his albums, Mark's tunes have been recorded by many ofcountry's top hitmakers, including Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, George Jones, Alabama, Martina McBride,Billy Ray Cyrus, and Randy Travis to name a few.
When he embarked on a film and television journey, it took him in a distinct creative direction. Hemade his acting debut opposite Steven Seagal in "Fire Down Below". He also appeared in televisionfavorites, "Walker Texas Ranger," "Early Addition," and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." His most recentfilm character was the infamous "Harry Heck" in "The Punisher" with John Travolta.
Marks song, "In Time" which he wrote for "The Punisher" (2004) is featured on the Windup RecordsSoundtrack and recently went Gold. Mark had the distinction of being the only country music performer onthe rock album. His acoustic rendering of this song is a stand out and continues to gain listeners inboth Rock and country genres.
Mark co-wrote and produced an independant film and portrayed American icon Johnny Cash in the criticallyacclaimed "I Still Miss Someone." The short Film won the coveted Tennessee Spirit Award-Best Short Filmand the Tennessee Arts Commissions Purchase Award. "Never in our 30 year history has a film won moreawards, created such a buzz and required so many addtional screenings," says Nashville Independant FilmFestival Director Michael Catalano. "I Still Miss Someone" garnered over five major Independant Filmhonors including the New York and LA Film Festival Awards.
When Mark is not writing, performing or acting, he is very involved in US Military USO tours. Thesetours have taken him from Greenland to the Middle East and Bosnia. He co-chaired the project "OperationPeace Endeavor" for military personnel serving in Bosnia. Among his most prized awards was the "AmericanSpirit Award" bestowed on him by the US Department of Defense for contributions to his country. Thiswas especially meaningful for Mark because he has four brothers who all served in the military. Hisyoungest brother just returned home from Iraq in 2005.
A man respected for his talents and honored for his creative and charitable contributions has his lifein perpective and always takes the time to give something back. He continues to write and perform. Withsix albums, numerous hits, television and film awards, Mark is always ready for the next project on downthat stretch of road.
Mark as "Harry Heck" From the hit movie "The Punisher"
