Mark Newton
Fifty Years and Beyond
This is the story of Mark Newton, a veteran bluegrasser, promoter, and ambassador whose journey in music and life clearly reminds us of how precious life is. If not for unwavering faith, a support system of family and friends, and a team of top-notch medical staff, this story would have appeared in the obituary section of this publication. Newton has undergone two organ transplants, liver, and kidney. Owing his life to two individuals who donated their organs, Newton beat the odds to which most people would have succumbed. His spirituality and determination compel readers to admire his fortitude and faith when faced with multiple life-threatening medical issues. It is envisioned that Newton’s story will provide insight into the history of bluegrass music, the fragility of life, the power of prayer, and sheer determination.
Childhood, Adolescence, and Music
In Paducah, Kentucky, Newton was born in February 1957, to his dad, Alvin “Frog” Newton, and his mom, Lawanda, and has one sister, Starr Wanda Newton. Mark is a cousin to the legendary entertainer Wayne Newton. Growing up in a rich southern culture, Newton’s family and friends shaped his love of music and performance. His sister is five years older, and both share a love of music. Newton informs, “Church was the first memory I have as a kid. I remember my mother took me to church and, in this church, playing instruments and singing was a big part of the service. That’s when I first saw people playing instruments and the power or spell it had on me and the joy it brought to people. I felt that as a young kid. I didn’t know at the time that music would have the impact on me in the years to come. Music was a part of our upbringing and household. Bluegrass and country were my roots, but we listened to all genres of music. At age seven, I became a Beatles fan and later purchased their first album. My mother played piano and grew up in the big band era and she would play tunes like “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller but she also would play “Saint Louie Blues,” tunes like that or gospel tunes. My sister and I listened to anything from James Brown to Frank Sinatra. My dad listened to bluegrass and country.”
While some might describe Newton as eloquent, others might add that he’s talkative, affable, and a potential friend. Newton recalled a humorous childhood story which goes something like this: “I remember my mom said when she worked as a switchboard operator in Paducah, of course, they would connect the calls. Hank Williams and The Drifting Cowboys played in Paducah in the 50s at the Kentucky Theater. Hank’s wife Audrey happened to be in the hospital for some reason and she put the call into Audrey from Hank. Dad went and saw Hank’s show and said he opened with ‘Love Sick Blues’ and the crowd went crazy. What fond memories.” In 1960 the Newton family moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where his father was from and where his father’s family lived. Mark’s father’s large family (he was the youngest of eleven children) were all musicians and Mark remembers them getting together and playing music often. Mark’s grandfather was a fiddle player and Mark’s father played guitar. Mark said, “That was how they socialized. The Newtons were a family in that area that was known for music.”
From the Heights of Grass to Knoxville Grass
In his late teens, Newton played guitar with his father’s band and other local bands—one calling themselves Cabin Hill. He started to take interest in the mandolin along that time and a job offer presented itself with a group from Richmond, Virginia called the Heights Of Grass. Newton became a member of that band playing mandolin in 1977, which presented an opportunity for him to expand his musical horizon. They played regionally and nationally, enabling Newton to meet more musicians.
Paul Brewster was leaving the Knoxville Grass to join the Osborne Brothers and they were looking to audition people. Newton recalls, “I got the job and became a member of the band playing guitar late in 1978. That band elevated my presence on a national stage. That’s when I met more players and singers like Jerry Douglas, Skaggs, and many others. Buddy’s Barbecue was our homebase and everyone in bluegrass played there at some point during the year and I was able to meet more artists. I recorded two records Live at Buddy’s Barbecue and Painted Lady which got national exposure.”
The Virginia Squires
After leaving the Knoxville Grass Newton went home to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and worked in the acoustic department at a music store Pickers Supply. After Mark had left Heights of Grass to join Knoxville Grass, Donny Grubb, an original member of the Heights of Grass, hired Sammy Shelor and Rickie Simpkins. Mark rejoined the Heights of Grass after returning to Fredericksburg and Ronnie Simpkins also joined the band at the same time. Ronnie and Mark decided that this was an opportunity to work with Sammy and Rickie, and they could get back into a group with talented people.
The Simpkins brothers, Mark and Sammy worked together with Donny Grubb and the Heights of Grass for about a year and decided that by the end of that year, they would leave on their own and form the Virginia Squires with the four of them. Newton recalls, “We had our traditional roots, had chemistry, and felt this was an opportunity to play our music. We also liked other styles of music and incorporated that influence into our music including the Rolling Stones and Beatles. People said we were ahead of our time. We were just four young guys in our twenties who played music like we felt it. We wanted to do original music combined with musicianship and vocals. We approached the music honestly and I think the fan base felt that as well as our fellow musicians.”
Squires band members befriended the Rice brothers when they met at the Withlacoochee, Florida festival. The Squires played their last set with the three Rice brothers joining them. Recently, the Squires had a reunion set at Floyd Country Store, which was broadcast live on their website. Jessee Smathers, of The Lonesome River Band, sat in for the reunion.
Other Bands
Like many veterans, Newton has been a member of various bands after his early days with The Heights of Grass, Knoxville Grass, and the Virginia Squires. From roughly 1993 to 1997, he joined banjo legend Bill Emerson to form Emerson & Newton. Starting in about 1996 he briefly played with The Tony Rice Unit occasionally filling in on mandolin for a few summers. In 1997 he filled in with the Seldom Scene when John Duffy unexpectedly passed away. From 1998-2007 he led the Mark Newton Band and in 2012 he joined with fiddler Steve Thomas and performed as Steve Thomas and Mark Newton.
Graves Mountain Festival of Music
In 1993 Newton was approached by the Graves family and asked if he had an interest in putting together a 3-day festival. He felt from a historical standpoint it was an opportunity to keep the music and history alive. Newton spent the next 30 years planning that festival. Newton reflects, “We accomplished a lot at Graves and brought that to the forefront on a national/international landscape that was good for our industry. As I reflect on my time with that event and if I would advise people, my mentors always encouraged me to learn all facets of the business, which I tried to do.”
The Health Journey- From There to Here and Now
For someone who loves the music and performing, it was ten years that Newton didn’t play a lick. In his own words recalling the traumas he faced, Newton poignantly informs, “I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C which led to liver failure and cirrhosis of the liver which, when untreated, can lead to death. If you’re not familiar with liver disease the symptoms are horrible. You have episodes of Hepatic Encephalopathy, which affects your memory, balance, typing, texting, driving, walking, and eating. It can last 2-7 days for each occurrence and would frequently require hospitalization to treat. You have episodes where you’re not able to function. I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital countless times.
“You walk in circles not knowing what you’re doing or who you are, you’re not able to speak. They would ask ‘What’s your name?’ I couldn’t get it out. They would ask, ‘Who’s the president?’ I couldn’t get it out. They would ask you, ‘What’s your birthday?’ I couldn’t get it out. It took five days each time I went to the hospital before my mind came back. The toxins build up in your body. I had 55 paracentesis treatments to drain fluid off my abdomen. It took ten months before they found me a liver. By then, I was hospitalized and bedridden and I had lost so much weight that my doctors said if I hadn’t got my liver, there was a good chance I would have died within two weeks. I could only communicate through hand signals or my eyes. I had this apparatus in my mouth so I could breathe.
“Fortunately, I got my liver and after a six-hour surgery, I woke up in two days and bounced back over a long time of recovery. That was on February 26, 2022. Then I had kidney failure and I had to have a kidney transplant on October 31 (Halloween), 2022. You’re a patient that requires a lot of medical attention. The #1 thing is having a support system in place. In my case my family was that: my wife (Tami), my daughter (Carly), and my sister’s family. It requires so much care. Getting to your appointments, driving back and forth to the hospital, staying with you around the clock in the hospital, managing all these things and trying to juggle that with their own work schedule. It’s a hard thing to do. Especially the mental aspect of staying strong and supportive through the journey. I think through the power of prayer—locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally—and people putting me on their prayer list and family, friends, and the musical community I was able to live. I’m forever grateful and very blessed. The thing is two people had to pass away who were organ donors and their families lost loved ones in order to give me life. That’s the part of the story that should be honored and recognized.”
Square One
Historically and at present, Newton has honored tradition while simultaneously seeking out original songs that resonate on multiple levels. His single “Square One” was released on all digital platforms in October 2024. The song immediately resonated with Newton, as it captured his fiery journey, and Sirius XM, Bluegrass Junction, and many other stations put the song into their rotation playlist later in October. It reached #4 on the Bluegrass Today chart. Newton advises, “As artists, we all hope to have a song that allows us to express our true emotions. I’ve lived this song, and I’m thrilled to reconnect with the music that I was born and raised on and love.”
Jerry Douglas has known Newton since his rise into bluegrass popularity and heaps high praise, especially about his most recent release. “If there is an award, real or imaginary, for tenacity, belief in self, and family strength, it should automatically go to Mark Newton. I’ve known Mark since the glory days, with his band, Knoxville Grass, and mine, Boone Creek, as we used to trade out Saturday nights at Buddy’s Barbecue in Knoxville.
Mark has gallantly fought the statistical odds of life twice and come away a winner. If there were a song that could sum up what Mark has been through, and that would be a tall order, he has found his Standing Stone on which to carve his name along with those who are lucky to join him in living a full life against the odds. I love the message of this song and can only imagine Mark’s joy in finding it. I invite you to listen to “Square One,” a song that encapsulates Mark’s battle and winning attitude. Thank you, Mark, for being a shining beacon for life in a world of uncertainty. All my love – Jerry Douglas.” (Note: “Square One,” has been submitted for IBMA’s prestigious award for Song of the Year, perhaps channeling Jerry Douglas’s wish for Newton.)
Musicians on the track include Mark Newton (lead vocal), Clay Hess (rhythm and lead guitar and baritone vocal), John Wheat (banjo), Darrell Turnbull (mandolin chop and lead and tenor vocal), Brennan Hess (bass), and produced by Clay Hess.
“Square One” songwriter Kenny Thacker said, “My hope is that this song sparks hope in you. I don’t know if Mark chose this song or if it chose him, but either way, I’m thrilled he’s cut it, and I think you will connect with it big time and love it.”
Newton’s Instruments
Newton’s present instruments include a mandolin and a guitar. He informs, “I play a Wade Custom F-5 Mandolin – Made by Yoichi Ueda, Serial number: #20062BM established in 1988. He has a custom shop in Osaka, Japan. His website is www.wadeguitars.com, and he makes guitars and mandolins. I was touring in Japan in 2009, and I was in Osaka and saw this guy walk into the club I was working who had a replica of Monroe’s 1923 Gibson F5 Loyd Loar. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s a spitting image of Monroe’s mandolin. Yoichi was at the performance and I asked if he would make me one. There are only three in the world, and it’s a replica of Bill Monroe’s Gibson F-5 1923 Loyd Loar that in 1945 he bought in a barbershop in Miami, Florida, for $150.00. It’s my way of paying tribute to Bill Monroe every time I hold that mandolin.
About his treasured guitar, Newton says, “I play a 1952 Martin D-28 that my wife purchased and gave it to me on Christmas morning. I’m not sure of the history but it was owned by several people and that the story indicates it came out of Louisiana.
The Future
At 68 years of age, Newton would like to live the rest of his life enjoying playing and singing. He hopes to continue to record and be creative. After his trials and tribulations, Newton’s philosophy and advice is welcomed. “You have a different perspective on life when you’re faced with life or death. I would like to have more passion for people and be sensitive to one’s needs. Understand it can be taken from you at any moment. Continue to be involved in bluegrass/country and be able to sing play and perform my songs over decades at a high level. Be able to play dates during the year. If it comes a point in time that I feel I’m not able to perform to my standards, then thank the good Lord for the career and life he provided for me and walk away content and happy.”
Artists and Friends’ Impressions of Newton
Mark Fain: Fain heaps accolades on Newton and admires him for bridging the gap between traditional bluegrass, gospel, and newgrass. Fain says, “I’ve always been a fan of his music, when I was a kid, I’d see him play with Knoxville Grass. He is not afraid to push boundaries on songs he’s passionate about and seems to find the best songs out there.”
Terry Herd:“Seeing all of the great music he’s made down through the years aside, Mark is just a great human being. He has a smile and demeanor that is totally disarming. Even after all the health challenges he’s been through, that light of optimism and can-do-ism is still shining as bright as ever. I’m sure a body language expert could explain it better, but if you’ve met Mark, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Let it suffice to say, he’s someone who wins your trust with the first handshake and protects that trust forever. And that is the secret sauce to friendship. It’s who Mark Newton is, and it’s a rare quality in today’s world.
Shortly after Mark moved to Nashville in the late 90’s, I took him to meet Dixie and Tom T. Hall at their home in Franklin, Tennessee. In their retirement, they worked with bluegrass musicians, sharing their recording studio and songs with anyone serious about the music. They were off to the races. After that first meeting in Dixie’s kitchen, the first body of work to come out of that friendship was Follow Me Back To The Fold, which won Recorded Event Of The Year from the IBMA in 2001. The world is a better place because he’s here.”
Carl Jackson: Jackson lauds Newton, “I always knew of Mark’s music but really didn’t get to know him until he contacted me about producing a record for him. When we got together to discuss doing a project. I really took a liking to him and that friendship led to Hillbilly Hemingway, an IBMA nominated and award winner for best graphic design in 2007. Mark is one of the finest guys I know and we shared the same goals in the studio… to make the best album we possibly could. I’ve been known to be pretty tough on folks behind the microphone, always striving to get the best performance possible, but Mark wanted that and it led to an album I’m truly proud of. I believe he is too. I’m so grateful to the good Lord above for allowing my dear friend Mark to remain with us and continue to contribute to bluegrass music.”
Claire Lynch: “I’ve always been a sucker for a good singer. So, when I heard Mark sing in the Knoxville Grass and Virginia Squires days I was hooked. As the years went by Mark showed what a great businessman and networker he was. From the Graves Mountain Bluegrass Festival to the Follow Me Back to the Fold project, I’ve been honored and privileged to be included in his creative endeavors and to call this warmhearted man my friend.”
Sammy Shelor: Shelor recalls, “I first became aware of his music when Knoxville Grass recorded their project Painted Lady and Mark’s vocals were on that instead of Paul Brewster. In 1981, I moved to Richmond, Virginia, and worked with the Heights of Grass. We were playing a club gig, and Mark and I met. We jammed and struck up a friendship. In 1982 Newton came back to Heights of Grass, and that evolved into the Virginia Squires. We started recording and touring. We were together for a six-year period with Squires, with five albums. We had a good run, and Mark was always good to work with and travel together. Mark is a hard-working guy, who has worked hard to stay in this business. He a blessed man to still be walking.”
Larry Stephenson: Stephenson fondly recalls that Newton is a go-getter and very organized. Newton’s close childhood friend remembered that they competed in high school basketball games and that Newton being a Kentucky boy, was quite the athlete, and “his team slaughtered ours.” Stephenson got to know Newton’s Dad before meeting his son. Stephenson reminisces, “His father and I played music around the Fredericksburg area before Mark started playing. First time I saw Mark he played on his high school basketball team. I got to know him better after high school, in King George County, Virginia.”
Larry and Mark played together on a live album. Mark did coordination of the project live album, Mr. Bs. Mark started his entertainment agency around the late 1980s. Stephenson notes, “He’s a survivor. I was working a gig and my phone rang early Saturday and my thoughts were “oh no! He wasn’t doing well then. Tami said he got his first transplant. We talked right after that. With a great support system, he’s a walking miracle and we are all happy for him.”
Recordings and Publications
Newton’s bluegrass resume is replete with album recordings. From 1977-2014, he had twenty-five recordings with the Virginia Squires on Rebel Records, four from the Mark Newton band, and most recently in 2024, “Square One” an independent single. Gracing the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, in 1980, 1984, 1998, 2003, and 2014, Newton was well publicized for his efforts and achievements in our genre. In 2002, he was featured in Billboard magazine for Follow Me Back To The Fold: A Tribute To Women In Bluegrass.
Notable performances include but are not limited to Kennedy Center, Washington, DC., for Coach Gibbs of the Washington Redskins; 1980 -US Department Of Defense with Knoxville Grass – toured, six weeks in Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Iceland; 1982-1984- performed for US Department Of Defense, and participated in three tours with the Virginia Squires, in Alaska, and the east and west side of the Caribbean; 1984 – performed with the Virginia Squires – with The Pontiac Symphony Orchestra in Pontiac, Michigan.; 1990 – performed with Bill Monroe; and between 1990-2010, did two tours in Japan.
The part of Virginia in which Newton was raised had three major festivals; American Legion Park in Culpeper, Virginia, Whippoorwill Lake in Warrenton, Virginia, and Watermelon Park in Berryville, Virginia. In the mid-sixties first- generation acts would work the DC, and northern Virginia markets to help further their careers. Newton recalls, “That was the beginning of country and bluegrass outdoor festivals to become popular. You would see George Jones followed by the Stanley Brothers, or Buck Owens followed by Jimmy Martin. I was exposed to all that at an early age. Bill Emerson was a huge influence on me. We shared a lot of music and he taught me a lot. I think that was the beginning that defined me as an artist and me wanting to pursue music. I had a chance to see and hear the first-generation artists and bands and as I got into my teens and early adult years, I began to see that other people my age around the country and world had the same interest that I had. That was the beginning of thinking I had a chance to pursue music and make a living. At that point, I felt it would be my destiny, and I wanted to play music.”
Discography and Awards
1980 – Knoxville Grass – Painted Lady One of that year’s best recordings;1992-Recognized by the state of Kentucky with honorary Kentucky Colonel induction; 1998- Mark Newton – Rebel Records project Living A Dream, recognized as a best record of that year; 1998-through-2024- Countless charting records and charting singles; 2001- Won the IBMA Recording Event Of The Year: Follow Me Back To The Fold; 2001, won IBMA Instrumental Album of the Year the Accutab Sessions; 2002-2003- Mark Newton Band nominated at the IBMA Awards: Emerging Artist Of the year; 2007- Hillbilly Hemingway – One Of The Best Recordings of that year; Also won the IBMA award for the best graphic design award; 2009- Newton’s hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia, presented him with the key to the city for his community service and ongoing dedication and effort to his boyhood home; 2011- Recognized by the State of Tennessee with a Tennessee Squire induction; 2011- Recognized by BMI as one of the best bluegrass artists on the roster; 2011- Recognized by the IBMA and nominated for Graves Mountain Festival of Music Live: CD- Produced by Mark Newton- featuring Mark Newton, Carl Jackson, IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Lou Reid and Carolina and many others; 2011- IBMA nominated Graves Mountain Live for Instrumental, Album of The Year.
Newton has also been extensively involved in planning and promoting bluegrass music festivals, including 1993-2023, The Mountain Festival Of Music. Newton started the festival along with the Graves family; 2010-2011- Associate Director of Lyric Frizzell Foundation along with Corey Frizzell nephew of Lefty Frizzell who was in Nashville: This was co-produced with Corey to bring awareness for childhood cancer and the ongoing struggle to find a cure. They partnered with Monroe Carell JR. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Newton booked all the talent, programmed and coordinated acts which featured Vince Gill, Shawn Camp, Jim Lauderdale, Black Hawk, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, Larry Cordle, Marty Raybon, Missy Raines, The Grascals, Jenee Fleenor, Mark Johnson, Cia Cherryhomes, Billy Yates and many others; 2014- “Ashes of Love” benefit for Steve Thomas. After Thomas’s house burned, Newton assembled a group of longtime friends and associates to help Steve and his family. Newton coordinated all the talent featuring, Del McCoury, Grascals, The Band of Ruks, Bobby Osborne, Marty Raybon, Claire Lynch, Larry Stephenson, Carl Jackson, Melonie Cannon, Dale Ann Bradley, Paul Brewster, Aubrey Haynie, Mike Bub, and Scott Vestal.
