Fill Up My Tank: New Single from Mark Newman
Singer/songwriter Mark Newman has released his first single for the new year, entitled “Fill Up My Tank“, (written by Chris Armata) to Spotify and all the major music services.
The song is about a long road trip taken by bike (motorcycle). Mark was in the studio working on Chris Armata’s original version of the song, when Chris said, “You should cover this song. It’s more in your wheelhouse.” Acoustic guitar, Dobro and finger snaps by Chris Armata and upright bass played by Mike Hall.
Drivin’ down the long road
Destination up ahead
Look so far, the mountain’s high
Gonna smack me in the head
Been a trip up and down
Don’t know how it’s gonna end
My gauge is low, my tires worn
Will I make it to the end
I gotta fill up my tank
It’s almost empty
There’s no other way
I’m gonna make it up that hill
Engine’s warm, the tach is high
Thought it would be an easy trip
Look up there, see the sky
Got a clearing for a bit
There’s no choice, can’t break down
Gotta make it to the end
Come this far, I can’t quit
No excuses to defend
In the rear view mirror I can see
The road disappearing from sight
I’m so tired, I’ll keep on goin’
Even if I drive through the night.
Almost there, can smell it now
Been a long, long road
Can’t believe I made it this far
Man it’s been a long road
Mark Newman is a well traveled and in demand professional whose musical prowess has taken him around the world several times over; working alongside many soul, blues, and rock greats of our time including John Oates (Hall & Oates), Jim McCarty (The Yardbirds), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), Sam The Sham, Bobby Whitlock (Derek and the Dominos) and Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), as part of these bands Mark has shared the stage with stars such as Sting, Elvis Costello, Travis Tritt and Carla Thomas as well. As an opening act, Mark and his original band have played many dates with acts like Delbert McClinton, Les Dudek, The Doobie Brothers, Don Felder of The Eagles, David Bromberg and many others. Mark is currently touring intermittently with The Hitmen as well as with The Blues Project (led by original drummer Roy Blumenfeld) and his own original project internationally.
Originally from New York, The Blues Project are possibly the best unsung American rock band of the sixties. The music of The Blues Project defies description, ranging from folk-rock to soul, from rock ‘n’ roll and blues to jazz, all blended together to produce a tremendously wide spectrum. They have played alongside artists such as Big Joe Williams, Son House, Bukka White, Skip James, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Otis Spann, to name a few.
A multi stringsman, Mark has mastered electric/acoustic/lap steel guitar as well as the mandolin and dobro. Past music releases include the singles “At The Border” which was originally written with the struggles people were experiencing fleeing the war in Ukraine in mind, but is also inspired by the millions of people all around the world trying to escape oppression and hunger on an ongoing basis, “Tulsa”, a song and video created in remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and “From Me To You”, a cover of the Janis Ian song for her Better Times Project of 2020. His most recent studio album, “Empirical Truth” was the 2019 Winner of The Long Island Blues Society Best Album Category, and represented the NY area in competition at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Earlier records include 2006’s “Must Be a Pony”, 2010’s “Walls of Jericho”, and 2015’s “Brussels” – a live acoustic-driven EP.
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