Mark Kesson w/ Bobby Pennock

Mark Kesson is a local composer, musician, and performer.  He grabbed hold of his first guitar in his early teens and never let go.  Quickly learning songs by ear Mark cut his teeth performing with various bands over the years covering oldies, motown, country, blues and classic rock.  Mark also was an assistant Choir Director and eventually a Choir Director for Divine Savior Catholic Church in Westland, MI for over 10 years.

Although Mark never had formal guitar training, he studied music history, theory and choral conducting at the University of Michigan.  During these years Mark also studied voice privately at the University of Michigan.

Eventually Mark found the time to explore one of his passions, musical composition.  The breadth of music and life experience over the many years is the foundation and influence of his new CD release It’s Been Something.  Coming into his writing and composing later in his career, Mark’s style of music blends together familiar modes and sounds, with a refreshing new take and twist on musical ideas and themes.

Joining Mark for this special celebration is Bonnie May (vocals), Donna Kallie (keys) and The Fossil Band. 

Bobby Pennock is an accomplished singer/songwriter whose style, albeit unique, is reminiscent of those celebrated folksingers of the 1960s and 70s, like Paul Simon and Harry Chapin (with a heaping helping of The Beatles thrown in), crafting songs that catch you off guard with lines like: “Don’t try to reason – a little thought might give you heed/You don’t need to be wise when pleasing all your wants/By disguising them as needs…” Listening to him perform is like watching a good magician. When it’s over, you can’t help but ask: How did he do that?