Mark & Gretch

AMERICAS BANDSTAND is the response to our most successful show to date at Millies. In true 50's and 60's sock hop tradition, this newest of Mark and Gretch shows features some of the most memorable rock and roll, R&B and Motown favorites. Together with our newest member, Jo Hodgins, we've pulled out the stops on the vocal harmonies -check out the show dates and song samples on the JukeBox (upper left) - CDs are on sale at Millies and at the online store. See you at Americas Bandstand!

* Carl Perkins / Elvis / Chubby Checker / The Marcels / Sha Na NA / Neil Sadaka / Martha and The Vandellas / Ronnie Spector and the Ronnettes / Roy Orbison / The Temptations / The Foundations / The Spinners / Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons *

Check the JUKE BOX (upper left) for brand new RADIO DAYS samples.

We've been busy! We've recorded a new CD and produced an amazing live show titled RADIO DAYS.

*Some of you may know that Gretch had some serious health problems and was unable to sing for almost 6 weeks! We enlisted the talents and vocal skills of a wonderful friend and performer - Mary Jo Hodgins - she has recorded much of the female vocals for the CD and has been doing a spectacular job of singing live shows with us. Gretch has been able to rest her voice and is starting to do some singing again. We want to publicly thank Jo for her tremendous contribution to our music and business.

*Brand New RADIO DAYS CD is now available for sale in our online store and at our live appearances - it is easily one of our most imaginative projects to date - preserving some of the greatest treasures in music history - the golden age of radio - Duke Ellington, The Glen Miller Band, The Andrews Sisters, Vaughn Monroe, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Patti Page, Ray Price and Peggy Lee and more!

There are three new shows scheduled for the 2010 schedule at Millies, in Delevan, WI. Each of these shows have been created with our audiences in mind, showcasing music that will be sure to captivate your hearts! Read on and see if you don't agree!

* RADIO DAYS - scheduled for spring and summer - Take a nostalgic look back at life through the Golden Age of Radio with irreplaceable artists like Duke Ellington, The Glen Miller Band, The Andrews Sisters, Vaughn Monroe, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Patti Page, Ray Price and Peggy Lee.

* AMERICAS BANDSTAND - Remember the prime-time 60's dance shows like Shindig, Hullabaloo, American Bandstand, and Shivaree? Hits by Neil Sedaka, Elvis, Carl Perkins, The Ronettes, The Everly Brothers, The Temptations, Chubby Checker, Roy Orbison, Sonny & Cher, Martha and the Vandellas, The Foundations, Ella Fitzgerald, The Spinners, and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

* And don't forget our yearly holiday shows opening the second week of November throughout December!

Gretch and I want to thank everyone who have come out to support our shows - we have had great audiences for all of our Gifts of Christmas performances!

* I believe we have just 5 more shows for this holiday season - we hope to see all of our musical friends and family at the remaining shows.

We know the weather is daunting and the snow is falling - but its warm inside at Millies and we want to see you for fish fry this Friday! Our Gifts of Christmas show and fish - whats not to love!

* We will see you there!

Gretch and I want to thank Diane Vey and Brenntag in Wauwatosa, WI for a really nice evening - we loved the Radisson and the whole Christmas party was first class!

* Shout out to Rhonda Pottinger and Alpine Christian Academy for a amazing fund raising event in Rockford - it was great to be apart of such a worthy cause.

Gretch and I are in the middle of a busy run of Gifts of Christmas shows - tonight is Tickled Pink in Williams Bay at 5:00 - then our 6:00 Friday night fish fry show at Millies in Delavan. We might stop back to Tickled Pink for after our Millies performance to visit with friends, sing and raise a cup of cheer!

* Check out our SHOWS schedule - the performances are coming fast and furiously this time of the year - we want everyone to come out and experience the music.

* Did I mention that we appreciate all of you? We truly do!

We are playing at Del Webb Sun City in Huntley, IL - December 2nd at 7:00 pm - tickets are $10.00 - available from the activities director at the club house. We hope to see any and all of our friends from Del Webb and the surrounding area.

It was really special to have our friends Dwayne and Pam Barker, our twins and our favorite niece, Helena out to our Sunday Gifts of Christmas show!

* We're gearing up for a busy 10 show week! - everyone come out to Del Webb in Huntley, IL for our 7:00pm show December 2nd! Tickets are available at the Del Webb Sun City clubhouse!

We were back at Millies today for another Gifts of Christmas show for 3 groups of Red Hatters! These ladies are dress up and decorated for Christmas all year long! It was a fun show as always with the Red Hats.

* We are playing at Del Webb Sun City in Huntley, IL - December 2nd at 7:00 pm - tickets are $10.00 - available from the activities director at the club house. We hope to see any and all of our friends from Del Webb and the surrounding area.

Gretch and I wish you all the best on this Thanksgiving Day!

No, not Rock and Roll - a little rest and relaxation! We get four days free - kinda the lull between the storms. Just got back from Des Plaines, IL - playing for the Lady's of the Elks celebration. It was a fun evening - but it is nice to mellow out for a couple of days, then its back on stage. We will be burning it up until Christmas.

* Make sure to check out the new Website - there are great audio samples (jukebox upper left) and downloads (media page) - our releases page and store are well stocked for Christmas - so buy some CDs! Come out and catch a show. Thanks for your support - love all of you!

Now is your chance to collect all MARK AND GRETCH CDs! You will also find the announcement of 2 new CDs for 2010! You are just in time for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers!

We are always asked where we are playing, in addition to our scheduled public shows at Millies - we are playing a number of private and public events during the holiday season and although we post all of this on our SHOWS page, we thought we would highlight them here and now!

* We are performing a LEGENDS show for the LADY ELKS of Des Plaines, IL on November, 22nd. This is a fund raising event and our show there will be part of a banquet and night of entertainment in honor of their organizations 70 anniversary!

* We are doing a HEARTFELT CHRISTMAS show at Del Webb, Huntley, IL at 7:00 pm, December 2nd. Expect to hear selections from all three of our holiday CDs at this show - tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the club house.

Gretch and I will be playing December 4th for Brenntag Christmas Party in Wauwatosa, WI. This will be a combination of holiday music, dinner and dancing.

* It is our honor to be appearing December 6th, 7:00 pm in Rockford, IL at Alpine Christian Academy for their annual Dinner & Auction - this is a festive holiday celebration and fund raiser for a wonderful school.

* On the 9th and 10th of December Geneva Lake Manor is hosting 2 concerts with us for their annual Family Christmas Party - this is the retirement home where Carl and Helen Hladish reside - that's mom and dad to us!

* We will also announce here and more later! Millie's New Year's Bash, 2484 Country Rd O, Delavan, WI 6:30pm Dinner & Party - reservations are required 262-728-2434

After 5 Gifts Of Christmas shows are history we are excited to look forward to the rest of the season. Those that come out to a holiday show early in November are the "die-hard" Christmas nuts! But it is an indication on how popular this show will be - with the rest of us normal Christmas people!

* CHECK OUT NEW AND IMPROVED JUKEBOX OFFERINGS - we are going to continue to post samples from each show and CD here on the JUKEBOX (upper left) and post downloadable songs from our CDs on the MEDIA page.

We played our debut show of The Gifts of Christmas - today - November 12th, at Millies in Delavan, Wisconsin. It was a sold out show and the audience response was enthusiastic! We are going to have a great season - its a fun show with a great set of music. We are really proud of this new recording.

* You might think after 3 holiday recordings in 4 years we would lose excitement for making a new record. Not a chance! It was truly an adventure figuring out a new list of songs and recording this project. Now we get to bring it to the audience - that is always the greatest pleasure in creating new music. Come out and celebrate with us the Gifts of Christmas!

* Click on the upper left Jukebox and check out a little sample of the new Gifts of Christmas CD! Or if you wish, go to our media page and download Carol of the Bells / Do You Hear What I Hear. Hey, its free from us to you!

We could not be happier with the new design for our website! We will be able to keep you all informed on our shows, new music and CDs so much easier. We wanted to wait until everything was ready before making alot of noise about this change - it all takes time, but as you can see - its all worth the wait!