?Life is good.? That?s Mark?s catchphrase, and the way he lives his life. He was fortunate during Katrina, losing very little, and snuck back into town, eluding the roadblocks, so he could play his standing gig at The Old Opera House on Bourbon Street as soon as it opened. Playing guitar and writing songs is his life. He fell in love with the guitar when he was 12 and has made his living strictly by playing music for 35 years. Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, studio gigs, writing songs, directing a band, joking with his audience, he loves it all.
Mark has earned the respect of local musicians, who consider him a staple of the New Orleans music scene. He is heart-and-soul a New Orleanian. His soon-to-be released CD and another in the works for this winter will reflect that. In his usual humble way he says, ?This is what I look like, this is what I sound like. You like me, hire me, buy me a Cadillac.?

Mark Penton

I play the guitar and sing. Mostly on Bourbon st. They pay me for it. They let me drink at work--alot. Thats good. Call me and buy my CD cause they don't let me drink for free.