We’re with the Band: Mark Thornton

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville might be within walking distance of Music City’s most famous event venues, but behind the more obvious attractions, there exists a hugely talented and largely undiscovered musical underbelly to Nashville, ready for visitors to discover.

In this edition of “We’re With The Band” we spotlight Mark Thornton, a celebrated guitarist, producer, and sound engineer, who after making his mark in the Los Angeles Country & Western scene in the 1980s, spent ten years as the guitarist for country music legend Jerry Reed.

After a busy time both on the road and recording, Mark eventually settled in Nashville, where he now performs with a multitude of artists as well as his own band The Sidekicks, in addition to staying busy recording and producing for other artists in Music City.

The Artist

Mark Thornton is a versatile and respected guitarist among his peers in Music City, known for his virtuoso talent of the fingerpicking style by those who are lucky enough to catch one of his shows, and for his gentle and unassuming demeanour by those closest to him.

Growing up in Iowa, Mark picked up a guitar at an early age, and to his own admission, “skipped a lot of school” to master his craft.  After hitting the road for Los Angeles with his four-piece high school rock band, his outfit played shows around town, and by day, Mark worked at The Autrey Museum of The American West, as well as a local radio station.

“The Palomino Club was the place that we all went to.  Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance was something we would do every Tuesday.  So, I met a lot of people out there,” explains Mark, referring to Los Angeles’ prevalent country and western scene in the late 1980s.

After around five years in Los Angeles, Mark moved to Nashville in 1992, and found himself in demand, working and touring with a number of bands, as well as on a long running production project called “Pickin’ On” that began in 1994, that enabled him to build up a studio and collaborate with a lot of musicians, leading to a significant development in his career.

“Through that I met Pat Flynn, who told me that Jerry Reed was looking for a Chet Atkins-style guitar player in his first band, so he took me over to meet Jerry at his house and audition for him.  And with that I ended up working with one of my guitar heroes!”

Mark’s spell as Jerry Reed’s guitarist lasted ten years, ending a year before Jerry’s death in 2008 at the age of 71.

Q. How would you describe the music you play?

“My style is definitely on the traditional country side, and my guitar playing is more of a finger-style approach to playing,” explains Mark.

Q. Where could folks find you playing at the moment?

“I do have a monthly gig at The Star Rover Sound in Germantown with my band The Sidekicks.  Recently I started to do some shows at The Station Inn, and I also play with a guy called Todd Day Wait every Tuesday and I have a few road dates with him coming up,” says Mark.

I play certain Fridays at The Local with Timbo, and I also play with Luke Munday on occasion.  And I’ll fill in every now and then for Timbo and Luke in their duo, The Country Cousins.

Q. As well as playing and recording, what else do you do?

“Well, I also operate an event company called Nashville Show Truck.  It’s a vintage, 1937 farm truck with a stage on the back, that I take around and rent out to folks for private music shows, outdoor parties, weddings and other special occasions.  It’s a lot of fun!”

Q. What advice would you give to our guests visiting Nashville and wanting to experience its music scene?

“Well, 3rd and Lindsley every Monday night, probably one of the best swing country bands you’re going to find is The Time Jumpers.  I would also recommend my stomping grounds such as The Station Inn, The Underdog, Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge and of course, Robert’s Western World,” says Mark.

Four Seasons guests can find Mark Thornton’s website here as well as staying in touch with his music events on his Instagram and YouTube channels.

A stay at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville is the perfect jumping off point for your discovery of Music City.  Visit our property website to review the latest stay offers or call 615 610 6995 to discover more and book.