Mark Steed Fosson (May 16, 1950 – November 2, 2018) was an American singer-songwriter and American primitive guitarist who grew up in Ashland, Kentucky, where he began writing songs while he was still in his early teens. He got his start in the mid to late 1960s, playing in local rock bands until going into service with the Air Force in 1971, and returning home around 1974.
Mark was a native Kentuckian, and his playing on six- and twelve-string guitars and banjo communicated a deep and soulful connection with the traditional music of the region. From an early age, he was involved with music, writing songs as a teenager and bringing his playing to a virtuoso level.In the late seventies, Fosson sent a number of demos to Fahey’s West-Coast label Takoma. Fahey was impressed with what he heard and offered Fosson a recording deal. In turn, Fosson moved from his Kentucky home to Los Angeles and embarked on a number of recordings with Fahey. Due to great misfortune, however, the Takoma Records label (in financial difficulty) would shortly fold. Crucially, though, Fahey would let Fosson keep possession of those prized master tapes of the sessions. They were found in his garage many years later by his niece, Tiffany Anders.
Now located on the West Coast, Fosson met fellow songwriter Edward Tree, and the two began working together, forming the Bum Steers, a country-tinged group, in the late 1980s, eventually being invited to play the Grand Ole Opry at the request of Porter Wagoner. Fosson's material appeared on several soundtracks through the 1990s. In 2001, he began collaborating with singer-songwriter Lisa O'Kane, who recorded several of his songs, including the No. 1 European single "Little Black Cloud." Music in this vein was released on his album Jesus On a Greyhound in 2006.
It was those treasured sessions with Fahey that proved most sought-after, however, and in 2006 (some thirty years later) Chicago based Drag City Records would finally release “The Lost Takoma Sessions”. The record drew positive reviews and Fosson was frequently compared to Americana music artists such as Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Joe Ely, John Prine and Guy Clark. The years had only increased the profound impact of Mark's playing, and he was soon seen as a vital member of the late 20th century's American Primitive movement.
In August that year Fosson came to Chicago to play at the Million Tongues Festival. Mark had already been ill, but he carried himself cheerfully, laughing easily and playing like an absolute master.
On November 2, 2018, Fosson died of cancer in Catonsville, Maryland.
(Edited from Wikipedia, Fractured Air & Drag City)
