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MARK WILLS
Permanently

Since bursting onto the country charts in 1996 with "Jacob's Ladder," Mark Wills has captured the collective hearts of music fans across America. The gifted Georgia native is no longer a newcomer. With powerful No. 1 hits like “I DO (Cherish You)," "Don't Laugh At Me," and "Wish You Were Here" (which stayed at No. 1 for an incredible three weeks), Mark has clearly established himself as a soulful song stylist and charismatic performer.

Though unassuming and down-to-earth, there's an intensity, a slow-burning energy and inner confidence that shines on Mark's third Mercury release, Permanently. "I wanted this album to show how much I've grown as an artist and as a man," the reigning ACM Top New Male Vocalist explains. "It was important to me that this album was more diverse than the first two, and I think we accomplished that. I want my fans to know who I am. I’m a sensitive guy, but I also like to have fun. My first album was a good start, I think "Jacob's Ladder" and "Places I’ve Never Been" gave everyone a taste of my personality. Wish You Were Here took that a bit further, and it's a tough album to follow up because we had songs that really spoke to people's hearts. But I think the songs on this album take my music to a new level.

As he evolved as an artist, the likable 26-year-old matured personally as well. While his self-titled debut album was working its way up the charts, Mark got married. Shortly after the release of the Platinum-selling Wish You Were Here, Mark and Kelly welcomed their first child, daughter Mally, into the world. "Having a family changes everything," Mark admits. "The baby's made me stand up and take notice a little bit. She's so little yet she demands so much.' Kelly and Mally are everything to me."

Some of the songs on Permanently are obviously autobiographical. As a tribute to Mally, Mark co-wrote the tender "In My Arms” with Monty Criswell and Michael White. "The song basically sums up the way I feel about Mally," Mark says. "Monty and Michael heard me talking about being a dad and they said, 'Man, that would make a great song.' We sat down and started writing things down. We didn't even have to think about it. It flowed so easily because it was straight from my heart."

"Rich Man" is a sweet and simple mid-tempo tune that speaks to what is truly important in life: I just want to Iive my life/raise my kids/love my wife/like my dad did/I may never be a millionaire/but l’ve got more than enough/I’m a rich man/rich in love. "In today's world people are often measured by their level of success, what kind of car they have, if they're a member of the country club, how much money they have in the bank," Mark says. "This song states very simply that if you have love, you're a rich man."

The other cuts on Permanently are just as much the stuff of life: love, loss, fear, joy, and hope. From "This Can’t Be Love," a swingy, uptempo number, guaranteed to set toes tapping, to the heartbreak of "Perfect Conversation," to the bluesy title track, Permanently is an album that could very well launch Mark Wills into superstardom."Permanently is one of my favorites on the album, Mark says. "When I sing it, I think of my fans. This song is a tribute to the people who come out to see us all the time. And ‘Perfect Conversation' explores what might have been," Mark continues. "Many times people look back on relationships and think they might have missed. something. This song talks about going back in time to have that perfect conversation that might have changed things."

Another song that plays with the time theme is a pretty ballad called "Time Machine." "It's a cool song," Mark says. "It talks about how the world might be different if you could take a time machine and go back and change things. The song mentions John Lennon, Patsy Cline, Martin Luther King, and JFK and what the world would be like if we hadn't lost them."

Mark also recorded "Almost Doesn't Count," a hit for pop sensation Brandy. "When I heard the demo for it, I really liked the melody and thought it was a great song," Mark says. "But I wanted to do it differently. When you hear my version compared to Brandy's, it's completely different. I'm really proud of the way it turned out, and I think my fans will like it."

Interestingly, the first single from Permanently is "Back At One," a song by another pop sensation, Brian McKnight, that nearly didn't make the album. Permanently was completely finished when someone pitched "Back At One" to Luke Lewis, President of Mercury. Lewis was so blown away by the song he brought it to Mark, who couldn't wait to cut it. Mark went back into the studio with his producer Carson Chamberlain to record the tune and get it on the album.

"I love being in the studio," Mark says. "Carson and I have become good friends over the years. He knows me and knows what my intentions are and how to interpret that on tape. Being in the studio with him is relaxing and fun. My goal is always the same. I want to pick songs I like - songs that touch me, and record them for my fans."

Country music fans have always loved singers who are one of them, someone they might expect to see shopping at Wal-Mart or eating with his family at Cracker Barrel. Despite his success, Mark Wills remains close to his roots and still lives near the Atlanta area nightclub where he got his start. When he's not working, he lives a simple life with his family and wouldn't have it any other way.

"When I’m not working, I want to stay home and enjoy my family," Mark says. "At the same time, I plan to keep making records and performing. My philosophy is that you can look down the road and set your goals, but if you're not enjoying your life day to day, those goals are worthless. I hope I'm still having hits and performing in 20 years, but you only get to that 20 years by taking it one day at a time. And I plan to do that."

biography courtesy of Mercury records

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