Mark Rust (presented by Cuckoo's Nest)

Event Details

Event type: All Ages / Licensed

In the 1970s Mark Rust was a regular performer at the old Cuckoo's Nest in Luther House (opposite Western's Richmond St gates), and later at Change of Pace Coffee House. On June 5, 2015 Mark took part in the Smales Pace/Change of Pace Reunion concert at Aeolian Hall.

Mark Rust comes from a musical family. His grandmother immigrated to America in the 1920's, and later opened a nightclub called "Swiss Trudy's." Everyone in the family performed in the musical acts. As Mark grew, he joined the family's entertainment. He was the youngest member of the traveling Rust Family. They traveled and performed widely at concerts and festivals.

Mark Rust’s music and stage presence reflect the harmonies of nature, and the simplicity and beauty of life as he has known it growing up in the Catskill Mountains. Mark has become a versatile performer on a variety of instruments. He possesses solid proficiency on guitar, piano, banjo, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, and hammered dulcimer. A prolific songwriter of nearly 200 songs, he has been called "one of the Northeast's great undiscovered songwriters" by OP Magazine, a periodical devoted to independent music. As a solo act, Mark has performed across the country, in Canada, and in Japan. Mark has released several recordings. They include "Songs of America" for Golden Books, "Home Fires" featuring Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) and Jay Ungar (PBS Civil War Series), "Legacy" with songs of family & growing up, and his most recent CD "Live at The Ithaca Festival." Mark gives over 100 performances a year at colleges, schools, festivals, and clubs. He has been honored with a nomination for a "Campus Entertainment Award" by the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA).

Over his long career he has appeared in People Magazine in concert with Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul & Mary, and has been a featured guest on the Phil Donahue Show. Mark performed several shows in New York City to promote the release of the film "A Prairie Home Companion". He has been involved in many theatrical productions. He joined the National Touring Company of the Broadway hit "Pump Boys & Dinettes", starring in the lead role, and playing a variety of instruments. He has served as musical director of many musicals across the country. Mark was commissioned to compose original music & lyrics for a production of the ancient comedy "The Rope" by Plautus

Mark lives near Woodstock NY with his wife Terry. They have two daughters Siena and Christina.

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