Drummerszone - Mark Beckett

Eric Darken

Paul Leim

Mark Beckett

United States

* September 22, 0000

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Artist biography Mark Beckett

Mark Beckett's father, Barry Beckett, was part of the legendary Muscle Shoals Swampers, so you could say Mark was “born into a musical family.”

He began playing drums after hearing the great Eddie Bayers. Prior to joining the Opry, Beckett toured extensively with four-time Grammy winner and pop icon Olivia Newton-John.

Some of his previous performances include shows at Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Flamingo Casino during Newton-Jonn's Summer Nights Las Vegas residency, and tours in the United States, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, South America, and the United Kingdom.

He previously worked with: Vince Gill, Lisa Marie Presley, Toto, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Peter Frampton, and more.

He was born in Florence, Alabama, just across the river from the R&B music hub of Muscle Shoals.

As a teenager, he regularly skipped school to act as a "fly on the wall" during major recording sessions, observing his father and Eddie Bayers. He would take home session cassette tapes from his dad to practice along with them. Remarkably, he landed his first professional recording session just 18 months after first hitting a snare drum.

His major breakthrough into the upper echelons of Nashville session work came in 1997 when he played on John Michael Montgomery's album Leave a Mark.

Over his 30+ year career, he has recorded or toured with icons including Olivia Newton-John (serving as her touring drummer for years across venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House), Vince Gill, Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Peter Frampton, and Jo Dee Messina.

In May 2009, Mark joined the Grand Ole Opry Band as a house staff drummer. In an incredible full-circle moment, he shares the Opry drum chair with his childhood idol and mentor, Eddie Bayers.

He was nominated for the ACM Drummer of the Year award in 2010 and has earned multiple gold and platinum record credits for his studio playing. He is officially endorsed by premier musical brands such as Yamaha Drums and Zildjian Cymbals.

Mark Beckett has recorded for and/or played live with such artists as Vince Gill, Barry Gibb, Kenny Chesney, Olivia Newton John, Merle Haggard, TOTO, Aaron Neville, Uncle Kracker, Tommy Shaw(Styx), Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, James Burton, Charlie Daniels Band, Paul Williams, Lisa Marie Presley, Robben Ford, Keb Mo, Michael W. Smith, Michael McDonald, Patty Loveless, Billy Bob Thornton, Rodney Crowell, Dolly Parton, Little Jimmy Dickens, Joe Diffe, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Steve Cropper, Brad Paisley, Ronnie Milsap, Emily West, Daryle Singletary, John Kay (Steppenwolf), Peter Frampton, Steve Wariner, Luke Bryan, T.G. Shepard, Ray Benson, Eddie Floyd, T. Graham Brown, Gary Puckett, Jimmy Webb, Con Hunley, William Bell, Kim Carnes, Candy Staton, Larry Gatlin, Judy Rodman, Restless Heart, Al Jardine (Beach Boys), Chris Young, Eric Heatherly, Delbert McClinton, Marty Stuart, Mel Tillis, Gail Davies, George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Justin Moore, Jim Glaser, Leona Williams, Sam the Sham, Andy Timmons, Warren Ham, Felix Cavaliere, Frankie Ballard, Sarah Darling, Casey James, Gretchen Wilson, Oak Ridge Boys, Joy & Rory, Mark Farner (Grand Funk RR), Confederate RR, Ricky Skaggs, Kip Moore, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, John Michael Montgomery, Mike Farris, John Anderson, Easton Corbin, Roy Clark, The Lennon Sisters, Darius Rucker, Eddy Raven, Doug Stone, Kelly Pickler, Sunny Sweeney, Lynn Anderson, Thomas Rhett, Jesse McReynolds, Joe Stampley, Jimmy Fortune (Statler Brothers), Charlie McCoy, Bill Gaither, Ronny Robbins, Montgomery Gentry, Tony Joe White, Point of Grace, Beth Nielson Chapman, Johnny Lee, Billy Burnette, B.J. Thomas, Mac Davis, The Funk Brothers, Thompson Square, Dallas Frazier, Ed Bruce, The Wrights, Sonya Issacs, Josh Turner, Lulu Roman, Andy Griggs, Trick Pony, Dailey and Vincent, Sherri Austin, Jack Ingrahm, The Issacs, Laura Bell Bundy, Josh Thompson, George Jones, Jo Dee Messina, Sammy Johns, Jon Randall, Jamey Johnson, Peter Gallager (OC), Hunter Hayes, Randy Montana, Andrew Peterson, Tyler Farr, David Frizzell, Randy Owen, James Wesley, Paul Overstreet, Steel Magnolias, Crystal Gayle, Dobie Grey, B.B. Cunningham, Jim Horn, Jimmy C. Newman, Johnny Reid, Dennis Linde, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, The Whites, Jesse Winchester, Josh Kelly, Vern Gosdin, Duane Eddy, Bobby Osborn and the Rocky Top Express, Lee Brice, Percy Sledge, Albert Lee, Billy Yates, David Ball, Gene Watson, Colt Ford, Jan Howard, Jimmy Hall, George Hamilton IV, Rob Schneider, Shelly West, Jesse Keith Whitley jr., Bucky Covington, Curtis and Lucky, Linda Davis, Brothers of the Southland, J.D. Myers, Holly Williams, Senator Lemar Alexander, Barbara Mandrell, Leroy VanDyke, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Striking Matches, Deana Carter, Eli “paperboy” Reed, Serebee (Voice) and American Idolist Bo Bice, Scotty McCreery, Casey James and Lauren Alaina.

Beckett has also worked with numberous Nashville songwriters, including Jason Matthews, Gary Nicols, Gary Nicolson, Wynn Varble, Roxy Dean, Craig Wiseman, Luke Laird, Dean Dillion, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Marv Green, Phillip White, Leslie Satcher, Tom Shiparo, Brett Jones, Brett James, Jessi Alexander, John Mabe, Tim Nichols, Ashley Monroe, Jarrod Niemann, Shawn Camp, Jeffrey Steel, Monty Holmes, and Brice Long.

Mark has done extensive touring and performances with Olivia Newton John, including performances at Royal Albert Hall (2013) and Sydney Opera House (2012), as well as her Christmas Tour (2011), Australia/SE Asia Tour (2012), US tour (2012), and UK tour (2013).

Additional highlighted shows, televised appearances and tours include: Country Family Reunion TV Shows (2011-2012), WSM CMA Music Fest (2010-2013), Inspirational Country Music Awards (2005, 2011, 2013), house band for the Musician’s Hall of Fame Induction shows (2007, 2008, 2009), performances with Grammy winner Steve Wariner (2011-2013), house band for the ACM Honors (2011), house band for Steve Cropper - TJ Martell at the Ryman Auditorium (2006-2007), Merl Fest with Earl Scruggs (2004), Opry Live (GAC) from 2009 to the present, and continues to be the staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry (May ’09 to present).

Top Accolades include: