Bio

Mark Cameron-Lead Vocals, Guitar

 Minnesota based singer, songwriter and guitarist Mark Cameron has been active in live music for over thirty years. Mark began his performing career in the rich folk-rock scene of the early 1970’s and brought this influence into several bands he founded during the 1980’s and 1990’s.  Today Mark’s focus is centered on crafting original Blues songs with strong melodies and memorable lyrics. The range of Mark’s material stretches the Blues beyond safe limits with a focus on “foot stompin, butt shakin” music that is built for a live audience.

 

After five studio releases in the 1980’s and 90’s, Mark turned his focus to the Blues with “Life of Illusion” in 2009. The song “Boxcar Blues” became an instant classic and packs the dance floor at live performances every time. In 2011 Mark released the ambitious project “Built to Bust” which featured the hipster-swing classic “Do Lovin Right” and the Chicago-Blues romp “Tough all over”.  Mark’s 2014 release “One way ride to the Blues” delivered a raucous Blues anthem “Life is good when you’ve got the Blues” and the gospel inspired classic “In this house”. In 2016 the new release “Playing Rough” is available both in digital release and in classic vinyl as well. The Mark Cameron Band is consistently a top finisher in Blues competitions over the past several years and was featured on the 2012 Minnesota Blues All-Stars album. The Mark Cameron Band made over 100 appearances during 2014-15 at nightclubs, concerts and festivals throughout the USA.

 

Known as a charismatic front man and soulful guitarist, Mark engages his audience directly in live performances and delivers his original compositions with a mix of sincerity, honesty and often a touch of humor. He is equally at home on acoustic or electrified instruments and retains writer/arranger credits on all of his recorded projects. Marks vocal range stretches from basement baritone to full-on growl and his original lyrics draw the listener in and paint a picture of the many worlds within the Blues.

 

 

Dan Schroeder-Drums

Dan Schroeder channeled his energies into playing drums from a very young age. His parents soon recognized that the constant tapping of feet and playing on knees was a sign and encouraged Dan to pursue his passion for percussion. Dan began playing in bands way back in 1976 and has extended his drum skills to include teaching along with his long history as a full time musician. Dan has shared the stage with an impressive variety of performers from a wide range of genres. From Don Williams to Brett Michaels, Dan has shared the stage with the best and is now known for delivering inspired performances that get people out of their seats and out on the floor.

In recent years Dan had scaled back his full-time performance schedule to focus on raising a family. He soon recognized the family-friendly environment within the Blues and has adopted a whole new family in the bargain. Dan is known for having “the best hair in the Blues” according to Cameron, and his addition to the Mark Cameron Band has “raised the bar” according to Blues writer Gary Eckhart.

 

 

Sheri Cameron-Sax, Flute, Percussion

 Ask Sheri Cameron and she will tell you she is not a musician. Ask her husband and band mate Mark Cameron and he will tell you that is precisely why she works so well as a member of the Mark Cameron Band: “Sheri does not have a musician’s inflated ego and will do whatever a song needs to sound better, without going overboard”.

 

After years of watching her husband play live music and record albums she finally decided: “If I am going to help haul this stuff I might as well play it too!”  Sheri has proved to be a crowd favorite over the past few years as a flute player and percussion guru.

 

Sheri first studio recording was the memorable flute solo on the 1990 release “Can’t take another night”. This song from the CD “Range of Emotion” became a popular song on Minneapolis radio and first brought Sheri to the stage as a member of the 1990’s Minneapolis band “Citizen’s Patrol”.

 

Today Sheri plays flute, bongos, shaker, guiro, tambourine, washboard, chimes and whatever else a song might call for. She puts the “tasty” in the Mark Cameron Band. Sheri provides female vocal parts and lyrical input in the recording studio as well.