Mark Gardner's CDs

Specializing in the History of the West in Narrative and Song

Songs of the Santa Fe Trail and the Far West

Documented songs and instrumentals of the 19th-century American West

performed with period instruments (banjo, fiddle, parlor guitar, and bones)

and using historic playing styles. Selections from this CD have been featured

on several television documentaries, including the nationally broadcast PBS

documentary The U.S.-Mexican War, 1846-1848, available on PBS Home

Video. Nominated for an Indie Award in the Traditional Folk category from

the American Association for Independent Music. In addition to Mark's

playing and singing, this CD also includes the musical talents of Clarke Buehling,

Tom Verdot, and Kelly Mulhollan, members of the famed Arkansas stringband

The Skirtlifters.

Song List: Uncle Sam and Mexico (2:36), Uncle Sam's Song to Miss Texas

(1:34), California Bloomer (2:39), Joe Bowers (4:40), Calabra Waltz (2:18),

The Battle Call (3:15), Fort Dodge (3:20), Fandango (3:05), Home! Sweet

Home! (3:30), Jim Along Josie (1:23), Marcha de los Novios (1:25), Doni-

phan's Expedition (2:26).

Availble for sale online from Native Ground Music. Or send a check or money

order for $16.95 ($14.95 plus $2.00 shipping) to Mark Gardner, P.O. Box 879, Cascade, Colorado 80809.

Praise for Songs of the Santa Fe Trail and the Far West

"Extraordinary music....Several of the songs can be heard nowhere else, never before having been recorded.

Marc Simmons, Santa Fe Reporter

A "groundbreaking recording of important historical music." Old West Journal

"Historian Mark Gardner and a veteran stringband from Arkansas perform songs and instrumentals of 19^th-century

American trails west using period instruments....The politics and sentiments are period pieces as well, but songs like

the poignant Joe Bowers are timeless. A trip to the frontier past." Cowboys & Indians Magazine

"This is as close as you'll get to hearing what music sounded like on the range 150 years ago." Western Music Advocate

"Probably the best available source out presently on the period music performed in the most authentic manner."

Smoke & Fire News

Frontier Favorites: Old-Time Music of the Wild West

Hold on to your hat! Here are 21 rollicking renditions of some of the Old

West's favorite songs and tunes. Wanting to convey the the rich scope of

the Western experience, Mark and "living historian" Rex Rideout included

selections ranging from the early minstrel show to the Victorian parlor, as

well as a healthy dose of music from the Mexican, Civil, and Indian wars. It's

a history buff's delight, performed with period instruments (fiddle, banjo, man-

dolin, guitar, bones, and jawbone) and using historic playing styles.

Song List: Old Dan Tucker (2:23), The Arkansas Traveller (1:36), Oh!

Susanna (3:20), De Boatman's Dance (2:40), Buffalo Gals (2:07), Red

Haired Boy (1:33), Turkey in the Straw (1:35), Old Rosin the Beau (4:13),

Camptown Races (1:25), Old Joe Clark (3:12), Soldier's Joy (1:50), Song

of Texas (2:20), Capt. Jinks of the Horse Marines (2:27), The Girl I Left

Behind Me (1:31), Garry Owen (1:18), The Battle Cry of Freedom (4:21),

Gen. Pike's Dixie (3:43), Lorena (6:14), Grandfather's Clock (2:06), The

Santa Fe Trail (3:28), Barlow Knife (1:57).

Available for sale online at cdbaby.com. Or send a check or money order for $16.95 ($14.95 plus $2.00 shipping) to Mark Gardner, P.O. Box

879, Cascade, Colorado 80809.

                                                          Praise for Frontier Favorites: Old-Time Music of the Wild West

          Rideout and Gardner bring the frontier alive....None can argue with the authenticity of classics like "Oh Susanna" or "Buffalo

            Gals," traditional favorites sung with gusto and verve. The unpretentious style of this endearing CD, whether vocals or instru-

            mentals, pulls the listener back in time: you can almost smell the prairie wind, watch the riverboats and join the dance. If you're

            a history buff or just love traditional folk music, this recording is a must.   True West Magazine

            This is no revisionist project, with smooth 21st century licks played on $10,000 humidified guitars, and vocals sung in 1990�s

           Texas-speak by slicks who likely think Garry Owen is a game show host. No, this is history, with all its beauty and warts intact.

           It is eerily accurate, performed with skill and devotion by musical historians who could easily be transported to 1850 and not be

            found out! Mark Gardner and Rex Rideout have done more than just record the tunes of the American Frontier. They have

           recreated the music through exacting research combined with impressive musical ability. What they bring to the listener is the

           prototype for Country, Americana, Western and Folk music; before Nashville, before Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams and

          Uncle Dave Macon.     The Cowboy Chronicle



            Gardner and Rideout sound almost too authentic. Vocals are kind of hollered out; fiddles are scratchy. It's like you're

            listening not to real singers but to a couple of down-on-their-luck gunslingers in some one-horse town.   Dirty Linen Magazine

I leave this rule for others when I am dead,

be always sure you're right -- THEN GO AHEAD!

David Crockett