Songwriters Songs Music Publishing MP3 Free MP3's Magic Turtle Music Mark Ransom The Rhythm Beans

On the eastern slope of the Cascade mountain range in the center of Oregon grows a community vibrant with creative energy. The high dessert oasis of Bend is magnetic and inspiring for its natural beauty and groovy, small-town vibe.

Songwriter Mark Ransom moved to the area in 1992 searching for “a quality ski hill” and quality life.

The life-long musician began as a student of his father, a lap-steel, upright bass and ukulele player. He started composing his own material in college and continues his education today under Rich Hurdle, a knowledgeable Jazz guitarist, mentor and friend.

Mark’s passion for quality life and music are exemplified in his work as a performer, collaborator and recording artist. While helping his wife Shannon with her coffeehouse business, over the last decade Ransom developed himself as one of Bend, Oregon’s most talented and well-respected acts.

In 1998 Mark released his first CD, Man Of My Word--a folky collection of original love songs. Despite the “home-brewed” quality of this first recording effort, it was music to the ears of the Sisters Folk Festival--where he won the opportunity to perform his work on stage.

At about the same time he formed the acoustic trio, the Rhythm Beans (mandolin, string bass and acoustic guitar). In 1999 the Beans released Ocean In The Air, a “brewgrassy” masterpiece visiting scenes of snowy seclusion and real friends. Local press applauded the CD and the group--honoring Ransom as “Best Local Musician” in 1998 and 1999.

In 2001 Mark began working with a talented singer and pianist named Colleen Cordis. Through their collaboration a funkier, 70’s-style groove emerged and in 2003 they released Ransom’s third CD, Stride. With the help of engineer/producer Linken Olsen, Cordis and Ransom arranged some of Bend’s finest talent to help in the studio, and created the MagicTurtle Band--a live act that supported the record release in 2003 and 2004.

These days Mark is working on a new CD, playing a bunch of solo-acoustic shows, and collaborating with Eugene-gone-Bend troubador David Bowers in their new group, Ramshackle (Groovespoon meets Wilco).

As for me: I was born in California, 1970, and raised in the mid-west. The lure of mountains and western life pulled me to Colorado State University where I studied music, mythology and Journalism. I graduated in 1992 and landed in Bend, Oregon a month later, ready to start a rock band.

My cousin Eric Ransom and I formed the Allman Brothers tribute group, Eating Peaches in late ‘92.

Tapping a market which was ripe for our style of laid-back groove-rock, we connected with the Bend music community, and began a 13 year love-affair with this little mountain town.

Since Eating Peaches, Bend has grown from eighteen to sixty thousand in population. There have been some growing pains, but I still love being part of this village culture: performing in the clubs and coffeehouses, connecting with the community through music.

As a songwriter I reflect what I experience and try to offer hope.

I enjoyed the second coming of the Grateful Dead (from about 1985-1995) and consider others like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Bob Dylan to be direct musical influences.

My favorite band? Michael Franti and Spearhead. More Peace Please!

Thanks for taking time to review my press kit.
I hope you enjoy the music. Cheers!

-Mark