Recently I was able to visit with popular singer/songwriter, Mark Bishop. Many will remember Mark from his days singing with his Dad and brother in the very popular trio, The Bishops. But, Mark has a great solo ministry and is passionate about his songwriting and sharing what the Lord has put on his heart. Here's a peek at our conversation.
Jennifer Wilkerson: Tell us what you've been up to lately?
Mark Bishop: As you might imagine, my time these days revolves around keeping up with the business of properly maintaining this long career of music ministry. I have been doing this for well over two-dozen years now, both with my family and as a soloist, and there is a lot of day-to-day administrative stuff that has to be taken care of before I can go out and sing at the concerts. Along with the paperwork, the calls and emails, the mail-orders, the inventory, the bills, etc… I still have to find time in there to write a new song every now and then.
A lot of fans remember your family group, The Bishops. What's your Dad and Brother up to these days? Do they still sing?
Of course! They are Bishops… they’ll never stop singing. They just don’t travel like we used to. That will never change just because the group isn’t singing anymore. God can still use our voices to glorify Him. Kenny is currently working in the state capital in Frankfort. He has a talent in the political environment. My dad is pretty much retired, although he does have a few interests that keeps him busy.
You have a new project that just came out a few months ago, I Still Need Him. Tell us about it and what some of the highlights are.
There was a time many years ago when I worried about having enough songs in me to maintain a life-long career… but God seems to inspire new songs in my heart all the time. Nowadays, I feel like my life won’t be long enough to write all the songs that he has given me to write. This new album is a collection of songs that I could have easily written for the group many years ago. There is a “newness” to them in terms of style and delivery, but there is also a timeless message that fits right in with what I was singing about ten or twenty years ago. If folks have liked my music or The Bishops music in the past, I think they will get that same feeling as they listen to this new album.
What can fans expect when they come to a Mark Bishop concert? Do you still sing any of the songs you wrote or performed with The Bishops?
Of course! I love those songs still to this day. But there are some songs that were uniquely Kenny’s or Dad’s that I don’t sing, just because I didn’t sing them then and I might not remember all the words right now. The greatest compliment that I ever receive at one of my concerts is that the time seemed to fly by. I love hearing that! That means that the songs and the stories, the laughter and the tears, they were all working together to make an engaging experience for the listener. My concerts are very casual and personal. Yes… lots of music, but very fun and “down-to-earth”.
What does the future hold for you?
Hmm… let’s consult the toy Magic 8 Ball… wouldn’t that be great if it actually could be of any help!? I can’t say that I can read God’s mind, so I have no idea. There is a line in on one of the songs on the new album that says… “I don’t know what waits around the bend, but I know He’s in control. I still need Him. Yes, I still need Him.” That just about sums it up. If I’m still writing songs and singing them, another ten years from now, that will depend on God’s will for my life. I just have to be willing to go where He sends me. I have to “consider the lilies…”
Tell us about your family.
Carolyn and I have been married for about 28 years now. We have two daughters. Courtney is in her junior year of college… whew! (Keep buying those Mark Bishop CDs folks!), and Haley is going to be in the 8th grade this fall. I love doing things with my girls. It’s what brings me true joy. When I am eventually dead and gone, I want to be remembered as a good dad and a good husband. That’s much more important to me than to be remembered as a good songwriter or singer.
How can fans contact you?
How can fans not contact you these days? There is the website… http://www.markbishopmusic.com You can sign up for a free email newsletter there and get our schedule for free. We have a facebook page… http://www.facebook.com/markbishopmusic… come join us there for almost daily interaction. Mail us at MB Music, PO Box 587, Waco, KY 40385. Or call our office at 606-723-5028
Anything else you want to say/share with everyone?
Thanks for supporting this wonderful, wonderful music. I am as big a fan of this Southern Gospel Music as anyone out there. I love it. I hope that future generations will embrace it like it deserves. Thanks to everyone that ever called a station and requested one of my songs; to everyone that ever attended a concert; to anyone that bought a CD or a DVD or a songbook; thanks to everyone that ever voted in an awards presentation. And especially, thanks to anyone that ever said a prayer on my behalf. The people that listen to this music are the absolute best in the entire world!
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Written: 08/01/2011
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Great article! We have enjoyed Mark Bishop's music for quite a few years and we love his way of ministering and sharing the message of Christ by telling stories through his songs! May God continually enrich and bless the life and ministry of Mark Bishop! 
Amazed in His presence and humbled by His great love!
“God makes everything happen at the right time.” (In His Time) Eccl. 3:11
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