By Daniel Offner
Great Neck musician Mark Newman will be performing at The Space at Westbury, on Nov. 6, as the opening act for Don Felder, former lead guitarist of The Eagles—one of the highest selling American rock band’s of all-time.
“Being an opening act is tough,” Newman said, “but I am thrilled to be doing it.”
Newman, both a master stringsman and an original singer-songwriter, has been performing for nearly 30 years and has even shared a stage with such big name artists as Sting, Elvis Costello, John Oates, Jim McCarty, Gloria Gaynor, Martha and the Vandellas and Sam the Sham.
“Maybe it was when I started hearing The Beatles and The [Rolling] Stones that made me want to play guitar,” Newman said. “With singing, I was always just the guy in the band who wasn’t the worst with the vocals.”
Music was something that had always appealed to Newman, who was enamored by the sound of Traffic and soul musicians such as Otis Redding.
“[Traffic was] different than everybody else,” Newman explains. “I was totally intrigued by how they were able to combine every single influence that they had together. That’s what I loved about it.”
His passion for music has taken him all around the world, from touring across Europe with the late-Academy Award nominated singer-songwriter Willy DeVille to playing jazz clubs in Japan with Sam Moore of the classic soul/R&B duo Sam & Dave.
“They really love soul and they love jazz over [in Japan],” he said. “The audience was just glued to Sam [Moore]. They tend to be more respectful of the music. But, I’ve played some great concerts in the states.”
While he is also known for playing mandolin and lap steel guitar, Newman has taken to performing solo since Brussells—a six-song live EP featuring acoustic renditions of songs from his 2006 album, Must Be A Pony—was released in March.
“I’ve played The Space [at Westbury] before, but I played in the lobby,” he said. “It’s an honor to be opening up for someone like Don Felder… the guy has had a tremendous career. It’s always a little intimidating, but I’m thrilled to be doing it.”
To catch Mark Newman on Nov. 6, visit www.thespaceatwestbury.com or call 800-745-3000. Doors open 7 p.m.
To hear more Mark Newman, check out his new EP, Brussells, now available on iTunes, or visit his website at www.marknewman.us.
